Mental Health Professional

Overview

Work Type: Ongoing - Part-time

Salary: Salary not specified

Grade: Education Support - Level 1, Range 4

Occupation: Health and allied health

Location: Melbourne - Eastern suburbs

Reference: 1492616

Selection Criteria

SC1 Demonstrated experience in assessing, conceptualising and analysing wellbeing issues, and providing evidence-based direct counselling for a range of mental health issues.

SC2 Demonstrated experience in planning and implementing evidence-based intervention strategies for clients with complex needs.

SC3 Demonstrated ability to input into the development, implementation and evaluation of policies and strategies relating to mental health and wellbeing.

SC4 Highly developed communication, networking and interpersonal skills including the ability to liaise effectively with a wide range of people.

SC5 Ability to provide leadership and professional learning that informs and influences the work of others involved in the engagement and wellbeing of children and young people.

SC6 Clear understanding of legislative requirements regarding privacy of health information.

Role

The Mental Health Practitioners (MHP) initiative was announced by the Minister for Education in late 2018 to expand mental health and wellbeing support in government schools.
The initiative provides for a suitably qualified mental health professional in all government secondary school campuses and specialist school (with secondary-aged enrolments) settings.

Operating in collaboration with the relevant Department of Education Regional Mental Health Branch, this role has the following functions:

Enhancing mental health prevention and promotion activities in the school by contributing to whole-school health and wellbeing plans, building the capability of teaching staff and school leadership to address matters relating to student mental health and wellbeing, and helping to develop and deliver appropriate programs and strategies in the school according to specified school priorities
Providing early intervention services (including short-term counselling) for individual students and groups identified as at-risk and/or experiencing or demonstrating mild to moderate mental health concerns; and
Coordinating supports for students with complex needs both within and external to the school, including proactively working with regions, local mental health service providers and other health professionals to engage further support as required.

Education support class level 1 range 4

The successful applicant will be an experienced professional who will carry out their duties and responsibilities, relative to their professional discipline, with a high level of autonomy and with minimal reliance on professional supervision.
The successful applicant will be responsible for the development and implementation of professional support programs within an educational environment, including guidance to other professional staff.

As an education support class position, this role supports the educational services being provided to students, but will not include duties of teaching as defined in clause 2.6.1 of the Education and Training Reform Act 2006 (Vic).

For more information on the responsibilities of an Education Support class level 1 range 4 employee, please visit the Victorian Government Schools Agreement 2022: https://www2.education.vic.gov.au/pal/industrial-agreements/resources

Responsibilities

Providing advice and professional learning to others, including teachers and other school wellbeing staff, to build the capacity of schools to improve students wellbeing, learning and developmental outcomes.
Delivering professional support services in a school, including mental health prevention and promotion activities and early intervention activities (including short-term counselling) for students with a range of mental health needs, applying sound theoretical knowledge and practical expertise.
Planning and implementing evidence-based intervention strategies for students with complex needs including collaborating with families, other professionals and agencies when appropriate to effectively manage risk.
Working collaboratively with the school to enhance mental health prevention and promotion across the school by contributing to policies and operational practices that will guide the work of others, including other school wellbeing staff and teachers.
Liaising with other department areas (including secondary school nurses and Student Support Services staff) and external service providers where necessary to provide appropriate support to students.
Maintaining professional competence and continued professional development, including attending professional development activities throughout the year.
Meeting relevant policies and legislative requirements in relation to student health information, privacy and consent.

Please note: Continued professional development is a registration requirement under the National Law, which governs the operations of the National Boards and Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).

Who May Apply

Required

Applicants must be qualified as a psychologist, social worker, mental health nurse, occupational therapist or counsellor of a prescribed class.
Specifically:

For Psychologists, applicants must hold full registration with AHPRA
For Mental Health Nurses, applicants must hold full registration with AHPRA and hold a postgraduate qualification in mental health
For Social Workers, applicants must be eligible for membership with the Australian Association of Social Workers
For Occupational Therapists applicants must hold full registration with AHPRA
For Counsellors applicants must have completed a Bachelor or Master of Counselling and be a practising member of either the Australian Counselling Association (ACA) or the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA)

Demonstrated direct counselling experience
A current Working With Children Check.

Desirable

For Psychology applicants, specialisation in educational and/or developmental psychology.
For Mental Health Nurse applicants, holding a Mental Health Nurse Credential and membership with the Australian College of Mental Health Nurses.
For Social Work applicants, membership with the Australian Association of Social Workers and an Accredited Social Worker Trade Mark.
For Occupational Therapy applicants, a Better Access to Mental Health Endorsement.
For Counselling applicants, Level 3-4 registration (ACA) or a Registered Clinical Counsellor endorsement (PACFA).

EEO AND OHS Commitment

Applicants seeking part-time employment are encouraged to apply for any teaching service position and, if they are the successful candidate, request a reduced time fraction.
Such requests will be negotiated on a case-by-case basis and will be subject to the operational requirements of the school.

The Department of Education is committed to the principles of equal opportunity, and diversity and inclusion for all.
We value diversity and inclusion in all forms - gender, religion, ethnicity, LGBTIQ+, disability and neurodiversity.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for roles within the Department.
The Department recognises that the provision of family friendly, supportive, safe and harassment free workplaces is essential to high performance and promotes flexible work, diversity and safety across all schools and Department workplaces.
It is our policy to provide reasonable adjustments for persons with a disability (see Workplace adjustment guidelines).

Additional support and advice on the recruitment process is available to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islanders from the Koorie Outcomes Division (KOD) via marrung@education.vic.gov.au

Child Safe Standards

Victorian government schools are child safe environments.
Our schools actively promote the safety and wellbeing of all students, and all school staff are committed to protecting students from abuse or harm in the school environment, in accordance with their legal obligations including child safe standards.
All schools have a Child Safety Code of Conduct consistent with the department's exemplar available at:

https://www2.education.vic.gov.au/pal/child-safe-standards/policy

DE Values

The department's employees commit to upholding the department's Values: Responsiveness, Integrity, Impartiality, Accountability, Respect, Leadership and Human Rights.
The department's Values complement each school's own values and underpin the behaviours the community expects of Victorian public sector employees, including those who work in Victorian Government Schools.
Information on the department values is available at:

https://www2.education.vic.gov.au/pal/values-department-vps-school-employees/overview

Other Information

All staff employed by the department and schools have access to a broad range of employment conditions and working arrangements.
Appointment of successful applicants will be made subject to a satisfactory pre-employment conditions check.
A probationary period may apply during the first year of employment and induction and support programs provided.
Detailed information on all terms and conditions of employment is available on the Department's Human Resources website at http://www.education.vic.gov.au/hrweb/Pages/default.aspx

Please ensure that your application includes:

A resume including relevant experience as well as personal details (name, address and contact numbers, business and home)
A section addressing the selection criteria and the requirements for application under the Who May Apply section
Names and contact numbers (telephone and email if possible) of two referees who are able to attest to the claims made in your application.

Please note that the selection panel may seek additional referees beyond those you name.
Consistent with policy, we shall advise you if we will take this action.

Conditions of Employment

All staff employed by the Department and schools have access to a broad range of employment conditions and working arrangements.
Appointment of successful applicants will be made subject to a satisfactory pre-employment conditions check.
A probationary period may apply during the first year of employment and induction and support programs provided.
Detailed information on all terms and conditions of employment is available on the Department's Human Resources website at http://www.education.vic.gov.au/hrweb/Pages/default.aspx

Location Profile

Position 0.6 with the successful applicant will be required to be in attendance 3 days per week, the days being negotiable.
If required the position may be made full time by mutual agreement.
Start date is flexible.

Established in 1963, Monbulk College is a co-educational college that promotes personal excellence in a caring environment.
Located in the picturesque Dandenong Ranges, Monbulk College provides a challenging education in a stimulating environment that enables students to:

Be creative, critical thinkers who actively contribute to society both locally and globally
Achieve their best in all endeavours
Develop into confident, healthy and resilient life-long learners.

The college is facilitated by its medium size of 600 students.
The Monbulk College team is committed and dedicated to providing every opportunity for students to experience excellence in all areas.
The team at Monbulk College are committed and dedicated to providing every opportunity for our students to experience excellence in their chosen fields.
We are motivated to support our students¿ academic and personal growth, which is evident daily when students are confident and connected at school and in their local and wider communities.

The College offers a range of leadership, academic, sporting and personal development opportunities including:

Student leadership positions in several different areas
Kwong Lee Dow Young Scholars Program (through the University of Melbourne)
Zone, Regional and State levels in sport
Art, Technology, Music and Theatre productions
Early Access to VCE and University Courses
STEM Courses - Box Hill Institute and Yarra Ranges Tech School

Our College Motto `Achieving Personal Excellence in a Caring Environment' means that we are committed to providing a safe, supportive and inclusive environment for all students, staff and members of our community.
Our school recognises the importance of the partnership between our school and parents and carers to support student learning, engagement and wellbeing.
We share a commitment to, and responsibility for, creating an inclusive and safe school environment for our students.

Our college values promote the ideals of:

Respect - treating yourself, others and the environment with integrity and honesty
Excellence - achieving your personal best in every aspect of college life
Responsibility - taking ownership of your personal and educational development

We are known for our positive learning environment, dynamic teachers, robust curriculum, strong wellbeing supports, beautiful grounds and our brand-new facilities which include innovative and leading Science, Art and Technology areas.

Monbulk College not only delivers academic results and an engaging curriculum, but we are a local government school that students, staff, parents and the community are proud of.
We welcome you to Monbulk College and look forward to you joining our community

Our values ensure we build and maintain respectful and positive relationships.
The School Wide Positive Behaviour Framework, high expectations of community members and consistency of teaching practices via the Monbulk ' LEARN' instructional model enables a supportive and orderly learning environment for our students.

Monbulk College is composed of two sub-schools, Middle Years - Years 7 to 9 and Senior School - Years 10 to 12.

Applicants should access the college website and may contact the Principal, Mark Quinlan 0467 803 042 for further information concerning this position.
The School Strategic Plan and the Annual Implementation Plan and the Annual Report are available on the college website - https://www.monbulkcol.vic.edu.au/.

Applications for this position must be lodged via Recruitment Online by the advertised closing date.

Applicants are advised to submit ONE PDF document and must include the following:

An introduction letter providing the name of the applicant, record number (where applicable), VIT or WWCC number, home and school email address, telephone number and a telephone number where the applicant can be contacted during business hours.

A specific response to each of the five selection criteria of no more than one page per criterion.

A resume that is a summary of experience and qualifications.

The names of three referees including contact details, work and mobile phone numbers, email address, current position and relationship to the applicant, and a short explanation as to which selection criteria each referee can best comment on.

The PDF document file name must include the applicant's first name, surname and position number.

Applications close Tuesday 30 September 2025 at 11.59pm

Posted

9 September 2025

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