Senior Mental Health Clinician – Youth Mental Health Initiative

Employment Type: Temporary Full Time (Up to 30/6/2026)

Position Classification: Clinical Nurse Consultant Grade 1, Psychologist (Senior or Clinical), Occupational Therapist Level 4, Social Worker Level 4, Welfare Officer Level 4

Remuneration: $119, $129,314.15 pa (+ superannuation + salary packaging options)

Location: Cowra, Dubbo & Orange, NSW – Find out more

Hours Per Week: 38

Applications Close: 30 October 2025 – 11:59pm

Senior Mental Health Clinician – Youth Mental Health Initiative

Cowra, Dubbo & Orange Mental Health Services

About the role

This is your opportunity to be part of the Youth Mental Health Initiative (YMHI, pronounced 'you-me') Service. YMHI is a new initiative supporting young people (aged with complex mental health needs who are too acute or complex for primary care services but not unwell enough for acute services. The YMHI service provides flexible and person-centred specialist mental health assessment, interventions and care coordination for these consumers and their carers. Consumers who access this service may be experiencing multiple complex mental health challenges resulting in elevated levels of distress and reduced levels of functioning. They may include being impacted by complex trauma, having complex psychosocial circumstances and/or requiring flexible approaches to engage with mental health services.

YMHI seeks to be a genuinely culturally safe service, with all staff on a cultural learning journey. The YMHI model of care has been developed in consultation with Aboriginal staff and community and supports culturally safe ways of knowing, being and doing.

YMHI clinicians will be co-located at Headspace and will partner closely with Headspace staff to deliver care to consumers. This is a unique opportunity for the clinician who values relationships and partnerships with multiple stakeholders and loves to provide truly collaborative care to young people and their families.

The YMHI team will be located at 3 sites across Western NSW (Cowra, Dubbo and Orange). Whilst service provision will be targeted to their nominated town, they will collaborate as a multidisciplinary team with their YMHI colleagues. The team will be comprised of 5 senior clinicians who are highly skilled in youth mental health. This presents an excellent career progression opportunity for clinicians who are passionate about youth mental health.

YMHI service hours have been developed following extensive community consultation, which identified the need for the service to offer after-hours appointments. As such, the YMHI service will operate Mondays hrs, Tuesdays and Wednesdays hrs, Thursdays hrs, and Fridays hrs, though these hours may be subject to change.

The team is led by a passionate team leader who deeply values their team's wellbeing alongside excellence of service provision. The team is also supported with monthly group clinical supervision and regular professional development opportunities.

To find out more about the role click to view the Position Description

A career with Western NSW means you can challenge yourself, make an impact and shape the future of rural health. To explore the benefits of a career in our Local Health District, visit the WNSWLHD website.

To apply for this role:

• Click 'Apply'
• Create a profile in the Recruitment & Onboarding (ROB) System or sign in using your existing login
• Upload your current resume
• Answer the selection criteria

Role-related enquiries: Please contact Jolene Kallus, Social Worker/Team Leader (Safeguards) on or at for more information.

Additional information for applicants:

• All suitably qualified Aboriginal people are encouraged to apply for this position. This is a targeted position under GSE Rule 26. Where possible, affirmative action will be applied to support employment of eligible persons.
• This recruitment may be used to create an Eligibility List for similar roles in the future.
• Western NSW LHD can provide reasonable adjustments in the workplace. Applicants who provide information on an injury, health condition, or disability in their pre-employment forms will receive a functional assessment from our Risk Management Unit (RMU). This review will consider the applicant's needs and what reasonable adjustments and workplace supports are available to support their employment journey.
• Western NSW LHD is committed to the safety and wellbeing of every child in our care. All staff in WNSWLHD are required to provide a safe and supportive environment for children, while working to protect them from harm and abuse. For more information on the Child Safety Standards, visit: NSW Government - Office of Children's Guardian
• Western NSW is committed to creating a safe and accessible workplace that promotes diversity, inclusion and belonging. As a vibrant and diverse region, rich in community and culture, we welcome applications from all people to build a respectful workplace dedicated to delivering the best health outcomes for our community.
• To find out more about the remuneration and conditions, visit NSW Public Health System Awards
• For more information, visit a Guide to Employment with WNSWLHD