Program Manager

Posted Tuesday 15 April 2025 at 2:00 pm | Expired Tuesday 29 April 2025 at 1:59 pm

• Implementation of services for newly opening Western Plains Correction Centre
• Provision of services across the Lara precinct
• Multidiscipline role - RPN5, P4, OT4, SW4

A career in the forensic mental health sector is diverse, challenging and rewarding. A career at Forensicare will be like no other. If you're passionate about supporting people in their mental health recovery, Forensicare is where you need to be. You will be a part of a caring and supportive team, making a real difference to people living with the dual stigma of mental illness and offending. We approach our work with curiosity and a commitment to understanding the unique needs of our consumers and carers. Working across community, hospital and prison settings, you can learn, apply your specialist skills and advance in your profession. Together, we can contribute to a more connected, compassionate mental health and criminal justice system.

Job location

The Lara precinct comprises four correctional centres: Barwon Prison (maximum security), Marngoneet Correctional Centre (medium security), Karreenga (medium security), and the new Western Plains Correctional Centre (maximum security), which will begin receiving people in custody in July 2025. Forensicare staff amultidisciplinary team that provides outpatient secondary mental health services to each of the locations within the precinct.

About the Role:

The Manager is an integral part of the Forensicare services provided at the Lara Precinct and has responsibility and accountability for providing high level management including planning, development of human and financial resources and overseeing the delivery of multidisciplinary services.

This position engages with other managers and service providers across Justice Health, Forensicare, custodial and program staff to improve and maintain the service's management, clinical, educational and support activities. The position must provide direction and support that is aligned to the outcomes of the Forensicare Strategic Plan, the National Mental Health Standards, the Mental Health and Wellbeing Act 2022, Justice Health Quality Framework and other relevant legislation, standards and competencies.

Duties:

• Manage and lead the implementation and operation of Forensicare services at the Lara Precinct (WPCC, Barwon Prison, Marngoneet Correctional Centre, and Kareenga) and oversee the coordination of regional clinics.
• Set service directions as part of the Forensicare prison management team.
• Provide high level advice to the Operations Manager and Executive Director of Prison Operations on emerging issues in forensic mental health within prison services.
• Provide high level management, clinical, and forensic expertise to this program.
• Provide an advanced range of clinical services as required including advice on the management and treatment of complex client issues to other clinicians.
• Coordinate the delivery of Services at the Lara Precinct and regional clinics including interventions and reports.

About You:

• Demonstrated ability to provide leadership, management and supervision of staff and students.
• Proven ability to provide strategic advice in relation to service development and practice within a complex organisational setting.
• Demonstrated ability to liaise and consult with internal and external service providers, partners and stakeholders to achieve service reputation and growth.
• Extensive knowledge of the current approaches in working with mentally, and/or behaviourally disordered clients in the forensic mental health setting.
• Expertise in providing individual or group treatment with clients with mental illness.
• Expertise in clinical or forensic mental health practice including forensic assessments and intervention
• Expertise in clinical/forensic program development and evaluation.
• Extensive knowledge of relevant legislation, the mental health system, and the criminal justice system.

What you need:

This is a multidiscipline role and therefore depending on your clinical expertise, requires either of the following:

Nursing

• Postgraduate qualification in Mental Health Nursing or equivalent.
• Minimum of 5 years experience
• Registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulations Agency (AHPRA).
• The successful candidate will be required to register their qualifications on eCredential

Occupational Therapy

• Approved degree in Occupational Therapy recognised for membership of Occupational Therapy Australia – Australian Association of Occupational Therapists.
• Minimum 10 years experience (preferable).
• Registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulations Agency (AHPRA).
• The successful candidate will be required to register their qualifications on eCredential
• Masters or Doctorate degree in Clinical Psychology from an Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) accredited course or equivalent, or a Doctorate degree in Forensic Psychology from an APC accredited course or equivalent.
• Minimum 10 years experience (preferable).
• Registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulations Agency (AHPRA).
• The successful candidate will be required to register their qualifications on eCredential

Social Work

• Approved degree in Social Work and eligibility for membership of the Australian Association of Social Workers.
• Minimum 10 years experience (preferable).
• Excellent supervision and investment in the skill development of all our team members.
• Well defined career pathways existing across our Directorates with multi-disciplined Teams.
• Salary Packaging Options available – Mortgage, Rent, Car, Expenses
• A leading, multi-faceted approach to safety, with unparalleled strategic, practical, individualised and team-based supports to minimise risks and fear and maximise safety and security, underpinned by our workplace health and safety strategy.
• Celebration and reward for good performance, through employee recognition.
• Access to an employee assistance program – an external, confidential, self-referral employee wellbeing program, for personal or work-related matters.
• A mental health and wellbeing program providing psychological, peer support and critical incidence response programs.
• Influenza and Immunisation Evidence
• This position is subject to a Police Check

Forensicare is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to attracting and developing a diverse workforce which reflects the community we serve. We encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people who identify as LGBTQI, people with a lived experience of disability, as well as people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. Forensicare promotes our guiding principles ofRESPECT, INTEGRITY, ACCOUNTABILITY, HUMAN RIGHTS; and promotes behaviours that are consistent with these values at all times. Forensicare is an equal opportunity employer and offers a smoke free environment.