MENTAL HEALTH PRACTITIONER

DETAILS OF POSITION

Title: Mental Health Practitioner 

Location: Dandenong High School

Classification: Educational Support Level 1: Range 4

Duration: Ongoing

Starting date: 29 January 2024

Starting Salary: $90,522

Role 

The Mental Health Practitioners (MHP) initiative was announced by the Minister for Education in late 2018 to expand mental health and wellbeing support in government schools. The initiative provides for a suitably qualified mental health professional in all government secondary school campuses. Operating in collaboration with the Department of Education and Training’s Area-based multi-disciplinary teams, this role will have the following functions: 

• provide direct counselling support and other early intervention services for individual students and groups identified as at-risk and/or experiencing or demonstrating mild to moderate mental health needs; 
• coordinate supports for students with critical needs both within and external to the school, including proactively working with regions and other health professionals to engage further support as required; and 
• enhance promotion and prevention activities in the school by contributing to whole school health and wellbeing plans, building the capability of teaching staff and school leadership to manage student health and wellbeing, and helping to embed mental health promotion and prevention programs and strategies in the school.

Responsibilities

• Deliver professional support service/s in a school/s, including the direct counselling for students with a range of mental health issues, applying sound theoretical knowledge and practical expertise
• Plan and implement evidence-based intervention strategies for students with complex needs including collaborating with families, other professionals and agencies when appropriate, and manage the associated risks. 
• Work collaboratively within the existing Student Support Services structure to contribute to policies and operational practices that will guide the work of others, including other Educational Support staff and teachers. 
• In collaboration with existing Student Support Services provide professional learning to others, to build the capacity of schools to improve students’ learning and developmental outcomes. 
• Liaise with other Department areas (including secondary school nurses and Student Support Services staff) and external service providers where necessary to provide support to students. 
• Maintain professional competence and continued professional learning, including attending professional development activities throughout the year. 
• Meet relevant policies and legislative requirements in relation to student health information privacy.
• Reports to the Student Support Services Leader

Selection Criteria

1. Demonstrated experience in assessing, conceptualising and analysing wellbeing issues, and providing evidence-based direct counselling for a range of mental health issues.
2. Demonstrated experience in planning and implementing evidence-based intervention strategies for clients with complex needs.
3. Demonstrated ability to input into the development, implementation and evaluation of policies and strategies relating to mental health and wellbeing.
4. Highly developed communication, networking and interpersonal skills including the ability to liaise effectively with a wide range of people.
5. Ability to provide leadership and professional learning that informs and influences the work of others involved in the engagement and wellbeing of children and young people.
6. Clear understanding of legislative requirements regarding privacy of health information.

Required 

Applicants must:

• hold a Bachelor qualification or specialist/post graduate qualification where applicable in: 
  • Social Work
  • Occupational Therapy
  • Nursing with a mental health specialisation
  • Psychology
• hold full registration with the requisite professional body where applicable 
• for Social Work applicants, be eligible for membership with the Australian Association of Social Workers
• have demonstrated direct counselling experience
• have a current Working with Children Check.

Desirable:

• For Social Work applicants, hold membership with the Australian Association of Social Workers and an Accredited Social Worker Trade Mark. 
• For Mental Health Nurse applicants, hold a Mental Health Nurse Credential and membership with the Australian College of Mental Health Nurses
• For Occupational Therapist applicants, hold a Better Access to Mental Health endorsement.
• For Psychology applicants, specialisation in education and/or developmental psychology
• Experience working with young people with generalised anxiety, and alcohol and other drugs context and advantage.

Application Details:

• All apllicants must address the key selection criteria in their application.
• All applications are to be received by 7th November 2023.
• Applicants are asked to also apply via ‘Recruitment Online’ ( The Department of Education and Training’s recruitment platform) using the vacancy number # 1376805.

All applications can be addressed to:

Michael Ferguson – Associate Principal

Ph: 9792 0561

www.dandenong-hs.vic.edu.au