Senior Mental Health Clinician – Community Treatment and Transition Program

Clifton Hill VIC 3068, Australia

Senior Mental Health Clinician – Community Treatment and Transition Program (CTT)

• Full Time Permanent Position, Based at Clifton Hill
• Salary Packaging Options available – Mortgage, Rent, Car, Expenses
• Leading provider of forensic mental health services across Victoria, Australia
• Salary $101, $123,916 (discipline and experience dependent) + super & benefits.

About Forensicare

Forensicare (the Victorian Institute of Forensic Mental Health) is the leading provider of forensic mental health services across Victoria, Australia. We deliver recovery-focused programs to consumers with serious mental illnesses across the Victorian justice system, mental health sector, and the community – from early intervention and prevention to inpatient care, rehabilitation, and community transition support.

Community Treatment and Transition Program (CTT)

This program provides treatment, care, and supervision for forensic and civil patients transitioning from Thomas Embling Hospital to ensure they are well supported through their reintegration into the community. The program assists forensic patients (patients as defined under the Crimes (Mental Impairment and Unfitness to be Tried) Act 1997) to meet the conditions of their Extended Leave until they progress onto a non-custodial supervision order. For civil patients (patients under the Mental Health Act 2014), the program can provide post-discharge assistance to enable smooth linkage to area mental health services and community-based support.

About the Role

The CTT Senior Mental Health Clinician, as part of a multidisciplinary team, oversees a caseload of clients discharged from TEH who require linkage support to area mental health services in the short term (Clients on Treatment Orders), as well as case management of forensic clients subject to a custodial supervision order (CSO) granted Extended Leave by the courts to reside in the community. The role also involves providing in-reach support to patients and clinical teams at TEH regarding community transition, including advice and secondary consultations on discharge plans and legal processes related to extended leave.

The incumbent is also expected to participate in service-wide quality improvement activities, including data collection, reporting, and participating in projects and group work.

The position is based at the Community Forensic Mental Health Service (CFMHS), Clifton Hill, but may require work at other sites from time to time.

Your primary functions will include but are not limited to:

• Providing high-quality intensive support for treatment-ordered clients post-discharge and case management of clients under Custodial Supervision Orders (CSO) on Extended Leave.
• Conducting comprehensive assessments and interventions for high-risk clients in the community, including risk assessments, crisis plans, and care development.
• Preparing case-managed clients for court and engaging in relevant legal processes under the Mental Health Act 2014, Crimes (Mental Impairment and Unfitness to be Tried) Act 1997, and the Sentencing Act 1991.
• Participating in intra-hospital transfer or discharge planning of patients from TEH.
• Providing support and education to carers regarding ongoing treatment and care.

Skills and experience

• Demonstrated commitment to mental health consumer recovery, with an understanding of recovery principles and their application.
• A minimum of 5 years post-qualification experience in mental health, preferably recent community mental health experience or extensive clinical mental health experience.
• Approved degree in Social Work, Occupational Therapy, Psychiatric Nursing, or Psychology, registered with APHRA, or other qualifications approved for membership of the Australian Association of Social Workers.
• Knowledge of community resources, including drug and alcohol services and accommodation services.
• Knowledge of relevant legislation, mental health systems, and the criminal justice system.
• Proven experience in conducting mental health and risk assessments.
• Additional benefits include employee recognition programs, wellbeing initiatives, professional development opportunities, employee assistance programs, fitness passport, retention bonuses, referral incentives, salary sacrificing options, social club activities, comprehensive orientation, and a buddy system.
• This position is subject to a police check and requires qualification registration on eCredential.

Forensicare is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion. We encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, LGBTQI individuals, those with lived experience of disability, and culturally diverse backgrounds. We promote our core principles of curiosity, purpose, ethics, compassion, and fairness, and maintain a smoke-free environment.