The opportunity 

An opportunity exists for an experienced mental health clinician to be part of an exciting clinical program that aims to provide streamlined and timely assessment, treatment and support to Victorian based emergency services members from seven organisations.  Responder Assist (RA) delivers clinical services through a Specialist Network of Clinicians (SNC) located around the state. The SNC members include suitably qualified independent mental health practitioners in private practice.  This position will be a senior member of an intake team responsible for determining the members’ eligibility and suitability for the program, conducting clinical risk assessments and triaging members to the most suitable SNC or other appropriate clinical service for assessment and treatment. The position offers clinicians interested in working with first responders and mentoring junior clinicians a unique opportunity to be part of an innovative evidence informed clinical program. The program has been funded by the Victorian Department of Health, and Phoenix Australia has been contracted to develop and oversee the program. 

The RA aims to provide increased access to mental health services for emergency service members (employed, volunteer and retired); reduce delays and associated stress in obtaining access to mental health services for members; increase confidence of members to seek treatment; and increase mental health treatment success rate. The RA clinical service is part of the Centre of Excellence in Emergency Worker Mental Health whose objectives are to:

• Provide a range of learning activities and resources to build the awareness and capability of Victorian health providers; 
• Provide a clinical intake and referral (CIR) system and a specialist network of clinicians (SNC) which will be supported by a multi-disciplinary advisory service and a range of educational resources;
• Conduct emergency worker specific research and evaluation to inform clinical practice. 

The position would ideally suit an experienced Mental Health Nurse, Social Worker, Psychologist or Clinical Psychologist (minimum of five years’ experience) with a background and interest in working with emergency service personnel, and experience in the area of posttraumatic mental health. 

This is a part-time position and is based at Phoenix Australia in the Department of Psychiatry, the University of Melbourne, located in Carlton. Phoenix operates on a hybrid model with staff dividing their time between the office and working from home. There would also be a requirement to work from Phoenix Australia’s Clinic, based at the Royal Melbourne Hospital, Royal Park campus, in Parkville on occasion. The position will report through the Phoenix Head of Clinical Services to the Centre of Excellence Director, although line management may be delegated.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the operation of the Responder Assist Clinical Intake Service. 
• Be the central point of contact for referrals to the RA assessment and treatment program.
• Maintain regular communication with SNC members with regard to capacity to accept referrals and completion of RA protocols.
• As the senior intake clinician conduct clinical triage and risk assessment interviews to determine eligibility of EW’s referred to the RA
• Oversee the management of the outcome measurement data collection software program (WeGuide)
• Liaise with intake staff and senior leadership to document, design, develop and disseminate intake procedures/ policies in order to optimise efficiency, service delivery and clinical governance.
• Attend to clinician and member troubleshooting and queries regarding WeGuide and outcome measures;
• Escalate WeGuide issues via the appropriate service ticket channels, monitor their progress and escalate any urgent or outstanding issues;
• Support members and intake clinicians in management of member complaints, disengagement, and re-allocations within RA.
• Manage FOI and other similar requests according to the legislative and organisational guidelines.
• Provide oversight and supervision to the CIR staff and other Clinical Services staff.
• Conduct regular intake team meetings to provide collective oversight and support for intake staff. 
• Contribute to the development and maintenance of quality assurance and practice improvement initiatives for Clinical Services, the CoE project and Phoenix Australia more broadly.
• In collaboration with the Director of Clinical Services and senior members of Clinical Services team, contribute to the strategic direction of the Clinical Services portfolio
• Provide leadership to and actively contribute to a research agenda in Clinical Services
• Undertake training relevant to the role, as directed by Head of Clinical Services and/or Phoenix Australia management.
• Participate in regular clinical supervision and professional development supervision provided by Phoenix Australia and to ensure continuing professional development AHPRA or professional membership requirements are met.
• Participate in Phoenix Australia and CoE project meetings as required.
• Contribute to the development and maintenance of quality assurance and practice improvement initiatives for Clinical Services, the CoE project and Phoenix Australia more broadly.
• Contribute to the writing of project protocols and academic and technical reports and publications as required.
• Play an active role in fulfilling the vision of Phoenix Australia, including engaging in the range of information sharing, communication and business development.
• Perform Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) and Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S) responsibilities as directed.

As the senior CIR Intake worker, ensure that the following tasks are completed by the intake team:

• Phone intake assessments are conducted including clinical risk assessment screening for emergency workers (EWs) referred to RA.
• Triage decisions are made regarding the most appropriate referral pathway for the EW.
• Contact made with the SNC practitioners to arrange appointments for full clinical assessments and treatment of EWs accepted into the program.
• Suitable arrangements are made for EWs identified through the intake assessment as being at risk or not eligible for entry into the RA to be referred to alternative programs/services.
• Member’s entering the service have funding confirmed and documented prior to allocation to a treating clinician. 
• Written intake reports are prepared in Halaxy (Patient Management System) for handover to SNC’s.
• Appointment letters and a package of clinical outcome measures are sent to EWs for completion prior to their clinical assessment.
• Liaison is maintained with EWs accepted into the program until the point of attendance at an SNC for clinical assessment.
• Written reports are prepared for insurance /funding agencies as required.
• A register of clients referred to the RA program is developed and maintained to track their progress from intake to discharge through the Halaxy patient management software program.
• Monthly collection and lodgement of adverse events reported within the RA network.
• Act assertively and responsively to any data management, and collection issues which may arise in the context of RA clinical activity. 
• Adverse events, FOIs and other legislative procedures are followed accordingly. 
• Respond to and escalate andy MARAM issues which may arise in the context of RA. 
• The drafting of quarterly and annual quality assurance and activity reports for the CoE.
• All data entry and reporting requirements are completed in a timely manner.
• Basic descriptive and univariate statistical data analysis are conducted with guidance from Phoenix Australia statistical consultants.
• A monthly collection of adverse events collected from the SNC and logged as per legislative requirements
• Provide support with priority treatment requests and clinical re-allocations. 
• Support across Responder Assist pillars (including the Multidisciplinary Advisory Panel) as requested by the Director of Clinical Services. 

Qualifications, experience and requirements

Essential

• AHPRA or AASW registered and/or endorsed to practice as a Mental Health practitioner within Victoria.
• Clinical experience in working with adult clients with mental health disorders including posttraumatic mental health issues.
• Clinical experience in mental health assessment, clinical risk assessment and mental health triage. 
• Demonstrated expertise in at least one evidence-based trauma focused therapy – TF-CBT, PE, EMDR or CPT
• Clinical experience in working with emergency service or first responder personnel.
• Experience in providing leadership, oversight and supervision to clinical staff.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving-skills.
• Excellent organisational and time management skills including working to deadlines and setting priorities.
• Proven ability to work autonomously and as part of a team, exercising sound professional judgement and seeking advice and consultation when appropriate.
• Strong interpersonal, communication and organisational skills.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively engage with a range of stakeholders including people suffering from mental health problems, other mental health clinicians and managers.
• Demonstrated competency with working with Microsoft suite of products (e.g. Word, PowerPoint, Excel).
• Demonstrated experience with data management software.

Desirable

• AHPRA endorsed as a Clinical Supervisor
• Knowledge and/or experience with Halaxy or comparable client management system.
• Knowledge of clinical and research literature in relation to posttraumatic mental health.
• Experience working with learning management software.
• As a Phoenix Australia employee you will have professional indemnity insurance coverage. In addition employees are expected to have their own professional indemnity insurance as individual practitioners with cover up to $20 million dollars.

Special requirements

This position is based at Phoenix Australia. Working from home for part of the working week is acceptable, however the incumbent will be required to work regularly from the Phoenix Clinic at the Royal Melbourne Hospital, Royal Park campus, in Parkville. 

Work Type: Part-time (0.6 FTE), Fixed term until June 2024 (with possibility of renewal)

Superannuation rate: Employer contribution of 11%

Salary Sacrifice: Available within FBT thresholds for a Health Promotion Charity

About Phoenix Australia

Phoenix Australia is Australia’s National Centre of Excellence in Posttraumatic Mental health. For 25 years we have been a national and international leader in our field. We do not take the responsibility of being the national centre of excellence lightly.

We are at the forefront of the understanding, prevention and recovery from trauma. We have over 60 researchers, clinicians and specialists in psychology, psychiatry and social work, and have offices in Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra, Melbourne and Sydney, allowing our reach to stretch to individuals, organisations and communities Australia wide.

We are a unique organisation, bridging the gap between research and research translation, and integrating our knowledge and skills into an end- to-end service for our clients. Our work encompasses three main Portfolios: Research, Policy and Practice, and Workforce and Training and Development.

Our program of internationally acclaimed research aims to advance the knowledge of posttraumatic mental health. Through the application of diverse research methodologies, we aim to create real-world solutions and translate research findings into practical implications for governments, organisations, and communities.

Our Policy and Practice portfolio encompasses policy and service development work as well as workforce education and training. Our policy and service development work aims to establish the standards of best practice for the management of trauma. We translate research into best practice policies and procedures for organisations, and work with organisations to build their capacity to minimise the impact of workplace trauma.

Our evidence-based workforce education and training programs improve the practice of those working with people, organisations, and communities affected by trauma. We provide tailored and integrated training, supervision, and consultation services that meet the specific needs of a diverse range of clients, large or small.

Our Clinical Services portfolio oversees the delivery of clinical activities across Phoenix Australia. It offers specialist psychological and psychiatric trauma assessment and treatment services to a range of high-risk populations, as well as community members suffering from trauma related mental health disorders and provides expert advice and support to mental health practitioners working with high- risk clients.

Phoenix Australia is an independent not-for-profit organisation and a registered charity. With an affiliation with the University of Melbourne, we have a close working relationship with the Department of Psychiatry within the Melbourne Medical School. Our Board of Directors includes independent members as well as senior representatives from the Departments of Veterans’ Affairs and Defence.

For further information, please visit Phoenix Australia’s website at www.phoenixaustralia.org. 

How to apply

Please submit your CV and a one-page cover letter addressing the qualifications, experience and requirements.

Enquiries to: [email protected] 

Applications close: Thursday, 3 November 2023