Mental Health Early Career Clinician

About Northern Health:

As an organisation we have a clear focus on how we service and partner with our community, including our strategy of helping the community stay well when at home. Our reputation of community minded, inclusive and progressive is matched to none.

Northern Health is located in the rapidly growing northern suburbs with projected growth the biggest in the state. With a booming, culturally rich and diverse community, and less than an hour's drive from the CBD (still within the bounds of Myki and ride-sharing), Melbourne's North is fast becoming the place to be.

Multiple Positions available now for the 2026 Occupational Therapy Graduate Program

Northern Health Mental Health Division and the Allied Health Early Careers Program is pleased to be offering multiple positions to Occupational Therapy graduates and early career Occupational Therapists, located across the northern suburbs of Melbourne.

Positions are available for commencement in January 2026.

Our mental health program has an unmatched 20 years of experience in providing supported learning positions to new and recent Occupational Therapy graduates.

Northern Health offers a comprehensive two-year program that supports graduates to build and develop their Occupational Therapy skills and knowledge.

We do this by offering you the opportunities you need to develop your confidence and clinical skill set. Our program aims to produce a highly skilled and capable mental health workforce of the future – one who will be part of the new mental health service system, providing evidence-based, person-centred, recovery-focused and family inclusive care to our consumers and their families and supporters.

The Early Careers Program comprises:

• A two-year program offering two x 12-month clinical rotations designed to maximise your learning opportunities across two different mental health service settings (community team, inpatient unit, community care unit).
• A comprehensive orientation programs.
• Weekly - fortnightly Occupational Therapy supervision and monthly facilitated peer support sessions.
• 1:1 support from an Occupational Therapy clinical educator
• Monthly professional development days tailored to the needs of early career allied health clinicians.
• A peer network of graduate mental health allied health staff including occupational therapists and social worker and across Northern Health.
• Support in identifying career pathways following completion of the two-year program.
• Full-time working hours with a monthly ADO.
• Generous salary packaging and employee benefits.
• Position classifications may range from Occupational Therapy 1, Year 2 to Year 5 (YB14 – YB17) depending on experience and qualification.

We are looking for:

• Recent graduates and graduates who will be completing their Bachelor or Masters level qualification in Occupational Therapy and eligibility for APRAH Registration
• Occupational Therapists with less than 18 months experience seeking transition early in their career to a specialist mental health service.
• An enthusiasm for building a career in the mental health field and an eagerness to make the most of the structured learning opportunities on offer.
• Applicants who hold a full driver's licence.
• The ability to commence employment no later than 27 January 2026.

Your prospective new team:

Successful candidates will be offered their first rotation at the programs/locations below. Additional details regarding specific rotation details and information regarding particular team settings is available via the position description.

• Broadmeadows Older Adults Inpatient Unit – 35 Johnston St, Jacana
• Hume Community Team - 35 Johnstone St, Jacana
• Northern Psychiatric Unit (inpatient) - The Northern Hospital, Cooper St, Epping (2 positions)
• Broadmeadows CCU Talgarno St, Broadmeadows

Details of the second-year rotations on offer will be made available mid – 2026.

Next Steps . . .

If this opportunity sounds like your next career move, then we would love to hear from you.

For further information, please refer to the Position Description.

Applications close Thursday 2 October 2025.

Why work at the Northern Health?

NH offer a range of benefits which support and reward staff both personally and professionally.

Our staff benefits include award winning facilities and campus partnerships, Professional development and events, an award winning Health and wellbeing program and financial benefits.

• Health and Wellbeing programs, including our new 'Thrive' program
• Flexibility in the workplace and extra leave options and support
• An inclusive and culturally safe space
• Access to salary packaging, EAP, our online library and onsite car parking

Work with us Northern Health is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to attracting and retaining a diverse workforce which reflects the community we serve. Applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, as well as applicants who are LGBTIQ+, who have different abilities, or are from culturally and Linguistically Diverse Backgrounds are encouraged.