Intake Officer – headspace Geraldton

About Us

Youth Focus is a for-purpose organisation that creates brighter futures for young people in Western Australia by offering a range of no-cost mental health services. Established in 1994, Youth Focus delivers innovative and accessible mental health services and programs across Western Australia to help at-risk young people aged 12 to 25. A key component of this, is our role as the lead agency for a number of headspace centres, including the dynamic and successful headspace Geraldton, where this role is located.

The headspace mission is to collaborate to design and deliver innovative ways of working with young people to strengthen their mental health and wellbeing.

headspace provides a holistic approach to supporting all young people, and their families and friends who enter their centres by providing support through four core areas: mental health, physical (including sexual) health, alcohol and other drug services, and work and study support. This is achieved through a local community of collaborative, co-located services.

headspace Geraldton is part of a national network of over 100 headspace centres operating across Australia with the vision of all young Australians being supported to be mentally health and engaged in their communities.

• Full-time position
• Fixed-term contract until June 2023, with likely extension in line with funding

About the Role

The Intake Officer position will provide primary response to all incoming referrals made to headspace Geraldton Centre and establishes the nature and appropriateness of the referral, conducts an intake assessment and liaises with external agencies where necessary.

• Responsible for the initial point of referral and for all incoming calls and enquiries.
• Responsible for the first stage carer coordination of clients.
• Initial triage of all referrals to determine appropriateness for service, including assessment of risk.
• Acts as interim holder of the case until it has been allocated and monitors ongoing mental status and risk levels as required.
• Collation of referral information to present to weekly Clinical Review meetings.
• Management of client referral/ information prior to intake meeting.
• Ensure data information systems are accurate and up to date.
• Responsible for the development of referral pathways and partnerships and the presentation/ dissemination of referral information to appropriate services and agencies.
• Act as an information source for young people/families/agencies/community seeking information and support over the phone.
• Completing comprehensive intake assessments.
• Providing crisis supports and assessment for walk-ins.
• Collaboration with family members and other referrers/service providers.
• Ability to work in Single Session Thinking 1:1 with young people.
• Provide support, guidance and supervision to students when required.

About the Role

To successfully become part of our team, it is just as important to align with our values as it is to meet our selection criteria. Our values are part of who we are and are demonstrated in the way we work every day. 

About You

To be considered for this position, applicants will have:

• Demonstrated knowledge and skills with a minimum of two years’ experience working in a clinical setting in a clinical role or triage/intake role.
• At least 1 year working experience in a youth mental health setting.
• Knowledge, skills, and experience in carrying out detailed psychosocial and suicide risk assessments.
• Ability to work independently whilst in a team environment.
• Demonstrated capacity to manage data information systems.
• Good working knowledge of youth health and youth mental health services in WA.
• Degree in Social Work, Psychology, Occupational Therapy or Mental Health nursing.
• Current registration with appropriate professional body.

What we offer

• An opportunity to be part of a person-centred, flexible, family friendly organisation
• An inclusive and welcoming environment for all
• Competitive salary offerings with the ability to salary sacrifice
• Access to professional development opportunities
• Additional annual leave, and other leave offerings, including COVID leave
• Generous paid parental and partner leave

Applications

Please send through your CV and Cover Letter that addresses the abovementioned selection criteria detailed under the section “About You”.

Closing date for applications: 9:00am, Monday 7 November 2022

Please note

• Appointment to the role is subject to the successful candidate providing a clear National Police Check and Working with Children Check card
• Shortlisting will commence immediately, and the role may close earlier than the date mentioned above if we find a suitable candidate

• Due to the high volume of applications received for our advertised positions, only those applicants who are short-listed will be contacted. To those applicants not short-listed, we extend our appreciation for considering Youth Focus as a potential employer
• For further information or a confidential discussion about the position please contact Human Resources on 08 6266 4333. 

Youth Focus is a proud equal opportunity employer. We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment for all. We strongly encourage all people, irrespective of ethnicity, diverse abilities, lifestyle choice, faith, sexual orientation, and gender identity to apply to be a part of our team.