NSLHD - Staff Specialist - Psychiatry - Specialist Dementia Care Program - OPMHS

An exciting opportunity is available for a Psychiatrist to join the Specialist Dementia Care Program (SDCP) and work as a senior member of the Older People's Mental Health Service (OPMHS) clinical team across Mental Health Drug & Alcohol Service at Northern Sydney Local Health District.

Applications are accepted via eCredential only, to apply click here

Position Classification: Staff Specialist

Employment Type: Temporary Part Time

Hours Per Week: up to 8

Duration: until 30 June 2027

Who we are:

We are a health service that touches thousands of lives across the Northern Sydney Local Health District, together as a team of like-minded people. We are passionate, driven and have the skills and knowledge to care for our patients whilst creating the best services possible. Our teams have meaningful, interesting and rewarding work everyday. We challenge and nurture each other, sharing our knowledge and experience so that we can deliver better care for everyone. There's a real sense of belonging here because we value and respect our patients, employees, and teams' voices. You'll feel a real privilege being a trusted caregiver in our patients, their families, their carers, and our communities' lives. 

About the Role

The Specialist Dementia Care Program (SDCP) is an Australian Government Initiative that supports people living with very severe behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) who are unable to be effectively cared for in mainstream aged care services. In 2016, the government committed to establishing a least one SDCP unit in each of the 31 Primary Health Network (PHN) regions in partnership with aged care providers.  

The Staff Specialist will work as a senior member of the Older People's Mental Health Service (OPMHS) clinical team ensuring the clinical and operational objectives of the initiative and partnership between OPMHS and the aged care provider are met. 

The Staff Specialist will provide clinical consultation services and work collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams across MHDA and the district to support the transition of consumers with very severe BPSD into and out of the SDCP unit as well as the provision of high quality clinical care to the residents of the SDCP unit and other settings where required.  

The position will partner with the consumer and their carers, the OPMHS multi-disciplinary team, OPMHS inpatient services, SDCP unit staff, and GPs to oversee the routine care of consumers within the SDCP unit.   

Purpose of the Position

You will provide clinical management and treatment of patients under your care in a Northern Sydney Local Health District facility or service. This care will be provided within the scope of clinical practice endorsed by the NSLHD Medical and Dental Appointments Advisory Committee. 

The position will provide clinical consultation services within NSLHD and will contribute to the teaching and training of medical students, graduates and other health care professionals and to research, evaluation and quality improvement activities within NSLHD.

This position is temporary with the possibility of temporary extension based on performance, funding and need

Selection Criteria

1. MBBS or equivalent, currently registered or eligible for registration with the Medical Board of Australia. Applicants must have Fellowship of the Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (FRANZCP) or recognition as a specialist by the Medical Board of Australia. Applicants expecting to be awarded their Fellowship within 3 months may be considered. Membership of the Faculty of Psychiatry of Old Age or working towards the same is desired.
2. Consistently demonstrates behaviours that reinforce the CORE Values of our organisation; Collaboration, Openness, Respect and Empowerment. Demonstrates these behaviours with all stakeholders; colleagues, direct reports, as well as our patients and consumers, and those that care for them.
3. Sound clinical knowledge in Psychiatry demonstrated through successful clinical practice in an environment appropriate to the requirements of the position including evidence of participation in quality assurance activities relevant to the specialty and commitment to principles in practice of recovery, person centred care, trauma informed care and rehabilitation.
4. Demonstrated clinical, diagnostic and technical skills commensurate with functioning as an independent Psychiatry Consultant including Aged Care and Acute Psychiatry, along with Demonstrated commitment and experience of providing input and support to complex care service model design, development and review with a range of clinical and non-clinical stakeholders.
5. High level interpersonal and communication skills and demonstrated ability to lead and work within a multidisciplinary team environment.
6. Demonstrated participation in and commitment to undergraduate, postgraduate, interdisciplinary teaching and education, including research, quality improvement, patient safety and risk management.
7. Preparedness to participate in any on-call service, including on-call rosters already existing or established.
8. Hold a valid NSW Drivers License and willingness to travel within NSLHD for related consumer and program activity.

Need more information? 

  1) The requirements of the position can be viewed via the Position Description 

  2) For assistance with your application please refer to the eCredential guide

3) To view the Scope of Clinical Practice for this position click here

For role related queries or questions contact Andrew Clement on or email.

This is a NSW Health Category A position which requires immunisation and screening for certain diseases. The full list of requirements are outlined inthe NSW Health OASV Policy (Page 11) You will be required to complete the OASV Undertaking/ Declaration Formand TB Assessment Tool during the recruitment process. Please upload this with your application along with any other vaccination evidence that you may have.

Applications Close: 1 October 2025

Please Note: NSW Health does not require or accept the 'Fit2Work badge' offered as an option in eCredential.