Position overview

Mental Health, Justice Health and Alcohol & Drug Services (MHJHADS) provide health services directly and through partnerships with community organisations. The services provided range from prevention and treatment to recovery, maintenance and harm minimisation. Consumer and carer participation is encouraged in all aspects of service planning and delivery. The Division works in partnership with consumers, carers and a range of government and non-government service providers to ensure the best possible outcomes for clients.

The Division delivers services at a number of locations, including hospital inpatient and outpatient settings, community health centres, detention centres, other community settings including peoples’ homes.

These services include:

• Adult Community & Older Persons Mental Health Services
• Adult Inpatient Mental Health Services
• Alcohol & Drug Services (ADS)
• Child & Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS)
• Justice Health Services (JHS)

Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) provides assessment and treatment for young people up to the age of 18 years who are experiencing moderate to severe mental health issues. CAMHS also provides high quality tertiary mental health care for young people aged 14-25 experiencing first onset psychosis.

The CAMHS mental health inpatient unit is a 6-bed inpatient unit for CAMHS clients experiencing moderate to severe mental illness. The adolescent mental health inpatient unit is a contemporary evidence-based service, providing high quality mental health care guided by the principles of recovery. The service aims to provide collaborative care involving the consumer, their carers, and other key services.

The Safewards model and interventions is an adaptable program of evidence-based nursing interventions that will be implemented on the unit. Safeward interventions strengthen existing principles of good nursing practice. The program encourages staff and clients (including carers, family, and support people) to work together to make the ward safer for everyone.

The role will also require the team member to undertake professional development and supervision, participate in quality initiatives and contribute to the multidisciplinary team processes.

Additionally, the role is required to be available to work within all program areas of CAMHS, as service needs arise.

Key Responsibilities

Specific responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following.

Under limited direction of the CAU Allied Health Team Manager you will:

1. Work collaboratively with young people, their families and carers, the multidisciplinary team and other health and community service providers to develop and implement cohesive, recovery-oriented responses to the needs of young people and their families and carers.
2. Assist in the provision of liaison, consultation and education with other agencies, families and carers.
3. Maintain high quality health care records, including accurate and timely completion of documentation.
4. As an active team member contribute to team development and initiatives and be involved in service development through membership of committees and working parties.
5. Undertake supervision and professional development activities.
6. Contribute to the facilitation and be willing to facilitate group activities on the unit.
7. Undertake other duties appropriate to this level of classification which contribute to the operation of the organisation.

Competencies

Specific competencies include but are not limited to the following.

• To be successful in this position, you will have a demonstrated track record of working in a multi-disciplined team environment and supporting and contributing to a healthy workplace that embraces diversity, encourages collaborative teamwork and complies with all the applicable regulatory and legislative requirements set out for such a role.
• To be successful in this position, it is expected that the successful candidate will have the following attributes:
  • Ability to work within a multi-disciplinary team and adapt quickly to a busy changing environment.
  • Commitment to achieving positive outcomes for children and young people, their families and/or carers.
  • Ability to respond to and prioritise competing demands in a calm and efficient manner while maintaining high work standards.
  • Be flexible, adaptable and comfortable with a changing working environment.

Qualifications

Specific qualifications include, but are not limited to, the following.

Essential

• Certificate IV in Allied Health assistant (or equivalent/higher qualification).
• A well-developed understanding of relevant statutory, regulatory and policy frameworks.
• A current driver’s licence.
• The successful applicant will need to be available to work after hours across a 7-day rotating roster.

Desirable

• Have an understanding of how the National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) indicators align with this role.
• Fulfil the responsibilities of this role in alignment to the CHS Exceptional Care Framework and all other related frameworks.

Experience

Specific experience include, but are not limited to, the following.

Essential

• A recommended minimum 3 years professionally relevant work experience.
• Relevant experience, training or accreditation which enables the officer to competently perform the functions relevant to the role.

Desirable

• Experience in working with children and young people.
• Experience in working in mental health.

Please note prior to commencement successful candidates will be required to:

• Undergo a pre-employment National Police Check.
• Current registration issued under the Working with Vulnerable People (Background Checking) Act 2011 is required.
• Comply with Canberra Health Services Occupational Assessment, Screening and Vaccination policy.
• Comply with CHS credentialing and scope of clinical practice requirements for allied health professionals.

Important information

All employees are required to:

• Adhere to the Canberra Health Services Values and the ACT Public Service Code of Conduct.
• Act in accordance and comply with all relevant Safety and Quality policies and procedures.
• Comply with all relevant clinical and/or competency standards.
• Be available for weekend and/or after-hours work.
• Be available to work within all program areas of CAMHS as service needs arise.

CHS is leading the drive to digitally transform health service delivery in Australia through the implementation of a territory wide Digital Health Record. Computer literacy skills are required which are relevant to this role as you will be responsible for completing the required documentation and becoming a proficient user of the Digital Health Record and/or other Information Technology systems; once proficient, you will need to remain current with changes, updates, and contingencies.

What you Require (Key Selection Criteria)

These are the key selection criteria for how you will be assessed in conjunction with your resumé and experience.

1. Proven ability in assertively engaging with young people, including those who are reluctant to engage with services.
2. Proven ability to work independently under limited supervision while working effectively and collaboratively in a multidisciplinary team.
3. Demonstrated experience in and commitment to working collaboratively with young people and their families and carers, the multidisciplinary team and other health and community service providers.
4. Effective communication skills, high level verbal and written communication skills. Ability to liaise and provide relevant handover information as appropriate to a multidisciplinary mental health team.
5. Demonstrated understanding of, and adherence to, safety and quality standards, work, health and safety (WH&S) and the positive patient experience. Displays behaviour consistent with CHS’s values of reliable, progressive, respectful and kind.

Work environment description

The following work environment description outlines the inherent requirements of the role and indicates how frequently each of these requirements would need to be performed. Please note that the ACT Public Service is committed to providing reasonable adjustments and ensuring all individuals have equal opportunities in the workplace.