Mental Health Advice and Response Service

Extensive investment in facilities and people supporting our significant service expansion

Community Services is expanding into the regional Victoria

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.

This position is located at the Community Forensic Mental Health Service (CFMHS) in Clifton Hill, 15 minutes from Melbourne's city centre. CFMHS is a specialist state-wide agency that works with individuals who have a serious mental health illness and have offended or are at risk of offending. Our CFMHS Service is expanding our services to Regional Victoria with Barwon and Hume services established.

Position Overview:

• Full-Time Fixed-Term
• 1 Year contract, 24/11/ /11/2026
• Role: Regional Coordinator, Mental Health Advice and Response Service (MHARS)
• Classification: Corporate Administration - HS8

About the Role:

The Regional Coordinator (MHARS) forms part of the MHARS management and coordination team along with the Manager (MHARS). The position provides leadership for Forensicare's MHARS clinicians, and plays a critical role in supporting the work of regional MHARS clinicians employed through Area Mental Health Services (AMHS)

Duties:

• Oversight, supervision, secondary clinical consultation and provision of education for the regional MHARS clinicians.
• Supports the MHARS Manager in leadership of the regional and metropolitan teams, including attending and chairing meetings, service improvement activities, education and training for staff.
• Directly manages, supports and supervises a selection of Forensicare metropolitan MHARS clinicians.
• Demonstrates highly developed skills when completing mental health, risk, and bio-psychosocial assessments with clients in the context of the Court system including the Court Assessment and Prosecutions Service (CAPS) of Community Corrections.
• Participates in collecting program data and stakeholder feedback, and preparing reports accordingly for submission to Department of Health and Human Services.
• Undertakes liaison with Police, Custodial Health Service and Forensic Medical Officers to ensure that the mental health needs of defendants in police custody are met.

About You:

• Demonstrated commitment to incorporating consumer perspectives and the recovery approach

into service delivery.

• Demonstrated ability to manage a multi-disciplinary team and lead complex programs effectively and efficiently.
• Demonstrated experience working at a senior level in forensic mental health, including five years'

post registration and detailed knowledge of forensic mental health risk assessment.

• Demonstrated ability to independently undertake comprehensive mental health assessments,

including writing concise reports with clear treatment recommendations.

Knowledge of relevant legislation and service context including the Mental Health Act 2014,

Sentencing Act 1991, Crimes (Mental Impairment and Unfitness to be Tried) Act 1997 and the

Criminal Justice System.

What you need:

• Qualified as a Registered Psychiatric Nurse, Occupational Therapist, Social Worker or Psychologist as outlined below:
• Nursing: Registered Psychiatric Nurse. Must have current, unrestricted registration with AHPRA.
• Occupational Therapy: Must have current, unrestricted registration with AHPRA.
• Psychology: Masters or doctoral level qualifications in clinical psychology or doctoral level qualifications in forensic psychology, and current unrestricted registration with AHPRA as a Psychologist.
• Social Work: Approved degree (approved for membership of the Australian Association of Social Workers).
• A current Victorian drivers license
• Please Note - Applications will be reviewed and interviewed as they are received. Advertising may close earlier than indicated.

A culture where people matter:

• 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
• International Candidates – Sponsorship availability, Permanent (186) or Temporary (482) and potential for up to $10,000 Relocation support to approved applicants.
• 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.

Eligibility

• 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 of RESPONSIVENESS, INTEGRITY, IMPARTIALITY, ACCOUNTABILITY, RESPECT, LEADERSHIP, 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.