Mental Health Social Worker –
WPS-Community Clinic is an adjunct service to Western Psychological Services (WPS) and delivers counselling solutions to our client base.
- Psychological Counselling Role (Work from Home & Office)
- Flexible hours 2-3 days total commitment
About WPS-Community Clinic
Established in 1991, Western Psychological Services (WPS) is a busy, ethical and caring psychology service located in the Western Suburbs of Melbourne encouraging people to live happier and healthier lives.
Targeted Psychological Services (TPS) provides free short term psychological interventions for eligible adults with a diagnosed mild to moderate mental illness and for eligible people under the age of 18 with a provisional mental health diagnosis for up to 12 sessions of free counselling support per year.
Clients include
- Adults with a diagnosed (mild to moderate) mental illness and clients under the age of 18 with a provisional diagnosis; and
- Low income earners (Healthcare Card holders), homeless people, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, refugees and asylum seekers, people transitioning out of justice/corrections system and people identifying as LGBTIQ; international students and people speaking languages other than English
- People who are unable to access, or afford, other mental health services e.g. Medicare Better Access.
WPS – Community Clinic was established to meet the extraordinary demands of delivering mental health services to our community in person and via Telehealth (Video & Phone counselling) with the option of working part of the time from home.
This service is commissioned by NWMPHN and includes:
- Targeted Psychological Services (structured psychological therapies)
- Suicide Support Service (for people at increased risk of self-harm or suicide – not a crisis service)
We support our team of psychologists and mental health clinicians with administrative services and IT infrastructure and provide the opportunity to earn an excellent private practice income.
WPS is a highly sought-after clinic for both Clinicians and Clients and offers a full range of psychology services including and not limited to child and adolescent, adult, family, couples and group counselling.
Our practitioners bring a wealth of expertise to ensure we are perfectly placed to support our valued clients.
The Role
We are looking for a Mental Health Social Worker with experience working with young people, families and adults to join our team of motivated and passionate professionals.
WPS specialises in supporting people across the age range, including children, adolescents and adults who may have complex mental health needs, to those seeking improvement in psychological wellbeing.
Primary Areas of Mental Health Counselling
- Depression
- Anxiety (e.g. Phobias, social, general and separation anxiety, panic and agoraphobia)
- Child, Adolescent & Family issues.
- Complex childhood Trauma
- Stress management
- Social isolation and loneliness
- Family and relationship issues
- Domestic violence
- Suicide prevention, self-harm behaviour
- Substance abuse, mood and personality disorders
- Insomnia,
- Grief & loss management
- Anger and aggressive behaviour management,
- Behavioural problems (e.g., hyperactivity and attention difficulties and oppositional behaviours)
- Sleep difficulties and bed wetting
- Interpersonal and communication skills (e.g., social skills, assertive skills)
- Bullying & School refusal
- Eating disorders
- Adjustment issues (e.g., coping with major life events such as separation and divorce, adjusting to parent re-partnering and stepfamilies, or coping with a chronic or terminal illness)
The contractor role offers:
A professional, friendly, and flexible workspace
- Efficient and friendly practice management, and administration support
- Excellent remuneration and flexible working hours
- Opportunity to work in own areas of interest and expertise.
- An established network of connections with referrers
- A diverse range of client presentations
Why work with us?
- Caring and understanding working environment
- Flexible work hours including choice of days and times for work life balance
- Easy booking system
- Sessions from the comfort of your own home or device via our secure video conferencing.
- Management of own diary/client load/type with admin support.
- Enjoy a strong referral network and the advantage of working for an established and reputable service
- Peer group and individual supervision opportunities
- Everything we do is focused on making a positive difference to mental health at a personal and community level.
Responsibilities
- assessing a client’s needs, abilities or behaviour using a variety of methods
- experience with families, children and adults highly regarded
- devising and monitoring appropriate evidence-based treatment
- maintaining client paperwork & monitor progress of treatment
Working hours/conditions
- Flexible days and times available. You tell us when you want to work.
- Service costs are based on a percentage of income.
Technology Requirements
If you work part of the time remotely, there are minimum setup requirements for you to adequately perform in this role including:
- Private room/space which can be used for your home office set up
- Laptop or equivalent device and phone with headset.
- A reliable internet connection
- You have strong IT skills where you are comfortable navigating software, typing and talking at the same time.
Essential Criteria
- Full registration as a mental health social worker with AHPRA.
- 5+ years professional practice
- Capability to work independently
- Strong commitment to ongoing professional development and ethical practice.
- Medicare provider number eligibility.
- Must have own ABN and public liability/professional indemnity insurance.
- Highly developed therapeutic skills utilising evidence-based practices
- Demonstrated report writing and session documentation skills.
- Demonstrated high level communication, interpersonal and problem-solving skills
- Maintain professional development consistent with AHPRA registration requirements
- Effective caseload management
Desirable
- Experience working in a private counselling practice highly regarded.
- Experience providing evidence-based interventions
- Some after-hours availability preferred; lines are open 24/7.
- Friendly, approachable & empathic, exceptional ethical standards and well-developed interpersonal communication skills
To Apply
To apply please submit your resume and cover letter confirming your preferred working hours/days.
WPS welcome applications from all members of our community and embraces diversity in our recruitment practices.
Should an applicant be a preferred candidate, background checks, including police, WWC, reference and AHPRA checks will be completed prior to the candidate’s employment being confirmed.
If you wish to discuss this role further, please email Dr. Angelo Pagano, Clinical Psychologist, Manager at [email protected] in the first instance.
If you are interested in the role, please send us a copy of your resume and cover letter.