Perinatal Mental Health Clinician

Requisition No: 5042
- Executive Division: Operations
- Division: Mental Health & Wellbeing Services
- Program: Mental Health Services
- Department: Perinatal/Child Adolescent Psychiatry
- Enterprise Agreement: Medical Scientists, Pharmacists and Psychologists
- Job Function: Mental Health
- Project:

- **Location**: Sunshine Hospital
- **Employment Type**: Ongoing, Part Time
- **Salary**: RPN3, SW2, OT2 or PK2 - aligned with the relevant EBA. This is a multidisciplinary role and is open to Registered Psychiatric Nurses, Occupation Therapists, Social Workers and Psychologists.

**About the role**

The Perinatal Mental Health Service provides assessment and treatment of women within the perinatal period within a consultation liaison model. The service provides mental health assessment and treatment for women requiring assistance with:

- Significant emotional distress around pregnancy, delivery, or having a baby in the Special Care Nursery
- Depression (antenatal, postnatal) in the perinatal period
- Anxiety (including Panic Disorder, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Phobias) in the perinatal period
- Adjustment to parenthood
- Psychological preparation and support for perinatal medical procedures
- Pregnancy related grief and loss
- Liaison and coordination between perinatal mental health support services for client

The service also provides capacity building, education and secondary consultation and advice about perinatal mental illness to primary health care providers, in particular maternity services at Sunshine Hospital.

**Key responsibilities**:

- Assess and screen referrals, determining the most appropriate and timely care pathways
- Provide assessments and support for individuals accessing the service including on the maternity inpatient wards of Joan Kirner Hospital
- Maintain compliance with the Mental Health and Wellbeing Act 2022 and relevant legislation
- Contribute to a strong team culture and continuous service improvement

**About you**:

- Passionate meeting the mental health and wellbeing recovery needs of perinatal women.
- Previous clinical experience in delivering mental health and discipline specific interventions
- Ability to engage and collaborate with key internal and external stakeholders
- Ability to work with a multidisciplinary team and provide clinical leadership, mentoring and support the development of staff
- High level of verbal and written communications

Position Description

**About Western Health**

Western Health is one of the largest healthcare providers in Victoria, caring for a vibrant, diverse and rapidly growing community of one million people in Melbourne’s western suburbs.

With more than 13,000 staff, Western Health delivers 800,000+ occasions of care every year, providing high-quality, person-centred care across every life stage.

We provide a combination of hospital, community-based, at-home and in-reach services to aged, adult and paediatric patients and newborn babies. Specialties include oncology, renal, mental health, women’s health and maternity, chronic diseases, geriatrics and cardiology.

We have remarkable strengths in chronic disease, complex care and developing innovative and sustainable healthcare solutions. Our experience at the coalface of healthcare delivery for some of Australia’s most culturally and socioeconomically diverse and vulnerable populations provides us with unique insights into the most pressing health challenges.

Western Health operates four acute public hospitals: Sunshine Hospital (including Joan Kirner Women’s and Children’s), Footscray Hospital, Williamstown Hospital and Bacchus Marsh Hospital. We also operate Sunbury Community Hospital, Sunshine Mental Health and Wellbeing Centre, Melton Health and Community Services, Bacchus Marsh Community Health Centre, Caroline Springs Community Health Centre and Grant Lodge Residential Aged Care in Bacchus Marsh. Western Health also provides the primary healthcare service at the Dame Phyllis Frost Centre, a women’s prison located in Ravenhall.

**Why join us?**

**Compensation and benefits**
- Competitive salary packages aligned with market standards.
- Health and wellbeing programs, including flexible work arrangements.
- Scholarships and grants to support your continuous learning journey.

**Learning and development opportunities**
- Access the Western Health Learning Academy (WHA) for personalised learning pathways.
- Professional growth programs, including postgraduate studies and clinical education.
- Mentorship and career support.

**Community impact and inclusion**
- Make a meaningful difference in patients’ lives through compassionate care.
- Join a workforce that champions diversity and inclusion.
- Engage in community wellbeing initiatives and groundbreaking healthcare research.

**Organisational culture and environment**
- Thrive in a collaborative, compassionate and innovative team environment.
- Be part of a culture that celebrates continuous improvement and excellence in