ABOUT THE ROLE:

Mercy Mental Health (MMH) is excited to be able to introduce Transition to Mental Health Practice Program for a Social Workers/Occupational Therapist. This has been made possible by funding received from the Department of Health in response to recommendations from the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System.

This Transition Program is targeted towards Social Workers/Occupational Therapists who already have at least 2 years of experience from another field and are interested in moving into mental health. The transition positions give experienced clinicians the opportunity to enter the mental health workforce with structured learning support to build mental health capability. The positions will be supported by clinical educators and the Learning and Development Team.

The transition program will support transition clinicians to make the transition to clinical mental health within a supportive and welcoming environment, offering:

• An comprehensive orientation
• Supernumerary days at the beginning of rotation
• Structured paid professional study days to cover core knowledge and skill areas
• Individual clinical supervision
• Group supervision/reflective practice
• On-site preceptor/buddy

The transition programs will comprise:

• Paid professional study days
• MHPOD pre-reading and assessment tasks (MHPOD is an evidence-based online learning resource for people working in mental health with over 100 hours of material across 68 topics. The content of MHPOD is linked to the National Practice Standards for the Mental Health Workforce)
• Structured Clinical Skill Assessments
• Short supernumerary Crisis Assessment and Treatment Team (CATT) and Emergency Mental Health (EMH) rotations for exposure to acute community/crisis work

This position is based across various Mercy Mental Health Emergency Services and Community Outreach services.

• Part time - Fixed term (0.8 EFT, till end of Dec 2023)
• Position commencing in May 2023
• Part of an interdisciplinary learning program (incorporating graduate and postgraduate nursing)
• Comprehensive program incorporating study days, group reflective practice and experiential learning tasks
• Discipline-specific clinical supervision embedded within the program
• Provide quality client-focused care to clients, their family and carers using a holistic, recovery oriented, strength based and culturally sensitive approach.
• Be part of a supportive multi-disciplinary team, and provide highly responsive and flexible service to consumers and carers
• Rapidly growing service with multiple career opportunities

 ABOUT YOU:

• Social Work: an approved degree in Social Work (accredited by the Australian Association of Social Workers), and be eligible for membership of the Australian Association of Social Workers. Have at least 2 years of experience in any social work field.
• Occupational Therapy: an approved degree in Occupational Therapy and registration with AHPRA.
• You have a keen interest in supporting clients with mental health issues
• Current Victorian Driver’s License

ABOUT US:

Mercy Mental Health (South West Area Mental Health Service) is a public mental health service supporting people in south west metropolitan Melbourne with severe and complex mental illnesses by providing acute and community-based care. Services are available to adults through acute inpatient programs, residential rehabilitation programs and crisis and community recovery-focused treatment programs. We also deliver inpatient and community specialist perinatal mental health services to women and infants in western Victoria.

Mercy Health is a Catholic organisation grounded in a 2,000-year tradition of caring for others. Founded by the Sisters of Mercy, Mercy Health is made up of more than 9,500 people who provide acute and subacute hospital care, aged care, mental health programs, maternity and specialist women's health services, early parenting services, home care services and health worker training and development.

Mercy Health is proud to be recognised as an Employer of Choice for Gender Equality by the WGEA.

WHAT WE OFFER:

Mercy Health recognises that many people want to work somewhere that is more than ‘just a job.’ With a values based culture, Mercy Health offer a generous range of benefits to support you to maintain a healthy work/life balance. These include:

• Salary packaging benefits
• Opportunity to purchase additional leave
• Health and Wellbeing programs
• Camp Australia School Holiday Program
• Career progression and development opportunities
• A range of discounts available across a diverse portfolio of financial, healthcare, travel and other services 

We focus on caring for our staff members and those important to them. We support all staff to be their authentic selves at work through Whole Self @ Mercy Health - our network group for LGBTIQ staff and allies.

At Mercy Health we pride ourselves on embracing diversity and foster an inclusive culture where individual differences are respected and celebrated. We encourage applications from people of all ages, abilities and cultural backgrounds including Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Peoples.

Mercy Health is committed to the safety of all children and vulnerable people across our services. We recognise the importance of listening to the voice of children and vulnerable people and have a zero tolerance of any form of abuse and neglect. 

To be the successful candidate you must meet the position requirements as well as provide a current Police Record Check and Working with Children Check. Mercy Health may conduct additional background checks subject to current legislation.

Mercy Health is committed to public health and safety measures that protect the health and lives of our people and the individuals and communities we serve. As a Catholic organisation we believe in the principle of the common good and as such we expect our staff to participate in immunisations/vaccinations to safeguard the most vulnerable.

WHAT YOU WILL NEED:

• Candidates are required to meet the position and qualification requirements.
• Provide a current Police Record Check and Working with Children Check (Mercy Health may conduct additional background checks subject to current legislation).
• Proof of vaccination status consistent with public health orders and with Mercy Health’s policy (includes but is not limited to COVID-19 and seasonal influenza vaccination compliance requirement).

If you have any questions or require any adjustments to ensure a fair and equitable interview and selection process please contact us on the details below.

Yoges Annavee - 0399287444

[email protected] using the subject line: Transition to Mental Health Clinician - Social Worker / Occupational Therapist Grade 2 enquiry via EthicalJobs.

To view the position description or submit your application please click the link below.