PACER Mental Health Clinician
This is an exciting opportunity to be part of an innovative initiative delivering high quality mental health services in accordance with the principles of recovery orientated and trauma informed care, legal and ethical requirements, and relevant professional competencies.
The positions utilises a PACER model where a clinician is collocated with police to provide to co-respond to mental health matters in the community received by Kur-ring-gai Local Area Command.
Employment Type: Permanent Part Time
Position Classification: Dependent on Qualification
Hours Per Week: 8
Requisition ID: REQ545323
Salary (Per hour):
Allied Health Professional (Level 4): $61.36 - $62.84
Senior Psychologists: $60.12 - $65.15
Clinical Nurse Consultant (Grade 2): $66.51 - $67.83
Who we are: We are a health service that touches thousands of lives across the Northern Sydney Local Health District, together as a team of like-minded people. We are passionate, driven and have the skills and knowledge to care for our patients whilst creating the best services possible. Our teams have meaningful, interesting and rewarding work everyday. We challenge and nurture each other, sharing our knowledge and experience so that we can deliver better care for everyone There’s a real sense of belonging here because we value and respect our patients, employees, and teams’ voices. You’ll feel a real privilege being a trusted caregiver in our patients, their families, their carers, and our communities’ lives.
NSLHD is proud of our diverse and inclusive workplaces, a place where health care professionals can thrive and feel they belong. We are committed to ensure that all our people feel respected and participate safely within a work environment without aggression, sexual harassment, discrimination and racism.
Where you'll be working
Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Mental Health services and based at Hornsby Police Station
What you'll be doing
MHDA Declaration
Each person’s unique journey of recovery will be supported by mental health drug and alcohol services in a way that fosters hope, purpose and resilience.
MHDA Statement of Intention
The intention of the NSLHD MHDA is to provide recovery-oriented, trauma informed services that are guided by evidence based practices and collaboration.
The PACER Mental Health Clinician is based within respective Police Stations and will provide a highly mobile, recovery orientated clinical advice, consultancy and support to NSW Police assessing and care planning for mental health related cases in the community.
The PACER clinician will respond to mental health related incidents requested by an operational police unit and provide high quality community or telephone mental health assessment, intervention
and undertakes triage, primary client assessment and advice on de-escalation strategies, mental health referral and transport options , management of complex mental health emergencies and crises at an advanced level in consultation with the Acute Care team and duty or on call consultant and other service providers as needed .
The position requires extensive knowledge of mental health disorders and demonstrated clinical practice to provide support, treatment, coordination and education to emergency services who work with consumers with complex mental and physical health needs. The successful applicant will be adaptive, flexible and collaborative providing individual assessment as required by police.
NSLHD/PACER are expected to act as an appropriate and effective role model and promote culture and supporting practices that reflect the NSW Health CORE values of Collaboration, Openness, Respect and Empowerment through demonstrated behaviours and interactions with patients, clients and employees.
People of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander background are encouraged to apply.
Candidates will need to meet the following criteria:
- Relevant tertiary qualifications and experience as per clinical discipline. Clinical Nurse Consultant or Senior Psychologist or Occupational Therapist with full AHPRA registration or Social Worker eligible for membership of AASW with demonstrated expertise in the area of Mental Health. Social Workers and Occupational Therapists will need minimum experience as a Level 2. Clinical Nurse Consultant requires minimum five years full time post graduate experience with 3 years full time equivalent in Mental Health. In addition must have an approved post graduate qualification (minimum Grad Diploma/Certificate level) or evidence of working towards Masters level qualification. Senior Psychologist with a four year degree in psychology, registered as a Psychologist with the Psychology Board of Australia and a minimum of one year at the 9th year of service on the Psychology salary scale.
- Experience and demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with Police, Ambulance, Emergency Department staff, GP's, Psychiatrists.
- Extensive Mental Health experience of assessment, crisis management and effective care planning in complex clinical presentations.
- Demonstrated comprehensive knowledge in Mental Health Act 2007 mental health adults, children and drug and alcohol issues. Experience of working with families and inter agencies to achieve the best mental health outcomes. Plus demonstrated knowledge of medications and their side effects, and associated physical health concerns.
- Demonstrated experience in assessment, care planning and coordination with mental health consumers in a community setting within a strengths and recovery oriented framework
- Evidence of accreditation under the Mental Health Act 2007 or willingness to work towards registration to be an Accredited Person. With a willingness to undertake drug and alcohol, child and youth training and apply to a range of work practices within the community settings.
- Current NSW unrestricted drivers licence.
Need more information?
1) Click here for the Position Description
2) Find out more about applying for this position
For role related queries or questions contact Kathleen Schelling on Kathleen.Schelling1@health.nsw.gov.au or 0436 674 525.
This is a NSW Health Category A position which requires immunisation and screening for certain diseases. The full list of requirements are outlined in the NSW Health OASV Policy . You will be required to complete the OASV Undertaking/ Declaration Form and TB Assessment Tool during the recruitment process. Please upload this with your application along with any other vaccination evidence that you may have.
NSW Health is committed to implementing the Child Safe Standards.
Applications Close: 28 January 2025
