KEY RESPONSIBILITY

Act as a clinical and professional resource person demonstrating broad knowledge and clinical expertise in all facets of caring for mental health patients whilst demonstrating a high level of critical thinking and problem-solving skills within the clinical setting. The Mental Health Clinician undertakes mental, social and physical assessments, treatment and delivery of continuing care/case management for people with mental health issues, within their scope of practice.

Technical Skills and Application

• Undertake consultation including triage, assessments, treatment planning and continuing care planning in conjunction with clients and other health care professionals and specialists.
• Be proficient in all clinical skills relevant to mental health settings and demonstrate competency in specific mental health competencies.
• Provide secondary consultation to specialist mental health, primary care sector and other service providers to facilitate best practice for the treatment of high prevalence mental health problems, such as anxiety and depression and mental health disorders with comorbidities.
• Provide acute assessment, management and referral for clients in psychiatric crisis or risk of serious self-harm or suicide.
• Undertake the assessment of clients accepted for routine intake and development individual treatment plans for clients.
• Consistently perform accurate and comprehensive patient assessments to address individual patient short and long-term needs including physical, social and spiritual needs.
• Enhance client care demonstrating respect for values, customs & spiritual beliefs of individuals.
• Check, prepare and administer all medications in accordance with relevant legislation and organizational policies and procedures.
• Perform all case management and case co-ordination tasks in relation to clients, ensuring the implementation of treatment plans, and comprehensive documentation on client files.
• Provide support, information & education to family members, carers and significant others.
• Contribute to internal policy development, service development and planning, evaluation of Mental Health Services, in line with relevant legislation.
• Demonstrate commitment to enhancing the capacity of primary and specialist care services for early identification and assessment through education and training, including understanding early warning signs/risk factors and symptoms of serious mental illness.
• Utilize a multi-sectoral approach in conjunction with key stakeholders, Psychiatric Disability Support Services, Aboriginal Alcohol & Drug Services, Aboriginal Counselling Services and Community Health Services to achieve effective and responsive service provision for the client group/s.
• Work across health, education and welfare sectors to develop systems and protocols that facilitate best practice in prevention, early detection and intervention within the above identified groups of people.
• Maintain accurate, complete, contemporaneous records of client care that have been conducted in line with organizational policies & procedures and legal obligations.
• Adhere to service reporting mechanisms as appropriate including gathering of data, prepare reports to demonstrate service effectiveness, participate in continuous improvement activities.
• Contribute to Mental Health planning.
• Utilize equipment and resources effectively and efficiently.
• Provide comprehensive client reports in consultation and collaboration with the health services manager to external organizations/bodies as required.
• Other duties as directed and in accordance with skills and abilities.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Essential

1. Relevant tertiary qualifications in Mental Health Nursing.

2. Registration with the Australian Health Practitioners Regulation Agency (AHPRA).

3. A minimum of three years post registration experience as a Mental Health Nurse or Psychologist and broad

understanding of contemporary mental health issues.

4. Demonstrated ability to undertake a leadership role in the area of early intervention,

demonstrating clinical excellence and high degree of professionalism.

5. High level of communication and interpersonal skills, demonstrated by the ability to engage

clients, and liaise and consult with relevant family members, as well as a broad range of health

professionals, and community agencies where relevant.

6. Proven ability to work effectively in a multi-disciplinary team, including inter/intra agency joint

case work, and independently as required.

7. A commitment to Mental Health & Wellbeing promotion within the community.

8. Demonstrated knowledge/experience in accreditation processes, clinical indicators and other

quality projects.

9. Working knowledge of the Mental Health Act & associated regulatory frameworks.

10. Knowledge of Occupational Health & Safety, Industrial Relations and Equal Employment

Opportunity Legislation.

11. Computer literacy skills.

Other

1. Current WA driver’s license.

2. A WA National Police Clearance that is not older than six months and maintained every three (3)

years from date of issue