• Mental Health Nurses, Care Navigators, Max Term June 2027, Hawthorn
• $61.59 hr plus super Not for Profit, salary packaging benefits
• Collaborative, highly supported team and career development

About Us

Access Health and Community (AccessHC) is a leading not-for-profit healthcare provider with over 150 years of experience delivering inclusive, person-centered care across Melbourne’s inner and outer east and northeast.

With 600 staff and 200 volunteers across 17 locations, we offer a wide range of integrated services to support diverse communities. Following our May 2025 merger with Inspiro, we’ve expanded our reach into the Yarra Ranges and strengthened our commitment to accessible, high-quality community health services.

We are proud of our commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), strong Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles, and our respect for the rights culture and contributions of First Nations peoples. At AccessHC, we are united by compassion, collaboration and community-led care to help people live healthier lives.

About the role

This is an extremely exciting and rewarding opportunity for multiple Mental Health Nurse Care Navigators to leverage their expertise in supporting holistic patient care, to deliver integrated care navigation within GP practices across Eastern Melbourne Primary Health Network (EMPHN). You will be supporting patients that are presenting with likely mental health concerns via their GP and will use motivational interviewing and health coaching techniques to develop self-determined action-oriented care plans in partnership with their GP and care team. This role offers opportunity to build strong trusted relationships with GPs, other health professionals, and community healthcare teams to optimise patient outcomes.

The Care Navigator Program is a collaborative initiative funded by EMPHN and is part of a Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF), involving the University of Melbourne, EMPHN and Access Health and Community. Care Navigators will be actively involved and will contribute to key research findings, and join us in transforming primary healthcare with innovative, patient-centred solutions.

This is a Max term role Part or full-time roles until June 2027 reporting to the Manager Care Navigator, with Care Navigator teams meetings based in Hawthorn.

What you will be doing

Key Responsibilities

• Holistic Care Navigation: Develop, manage, and optimise individualised care action plans to improve patient outcomes
• Multidisciplinary Collaboration: Enhance communication and coordination between GPs, mental health professionals, AOD specialists, and community healthcare providers
• Patient-Centered Support: Provide integrated care navigation within GP practices, supporting patients with complex healthcare needs, including mental health and AOD challenges
• Care Plan Implementation: Develop, implement, and review collaborative care action plans, ensuring effective and timely execution
• Continuous Patient Monitoring: Track patient progress, offer guidance at critical points, and ensure care action plans align with evolving needs
• Healthcare Innovation & Partnerships: Build strong relationships with GPs, EMPHN, and the University of Melbourne to foster innovation in primary healthcare
• Program Development: Support the launch and implementation of the Care Navigators Program, enhancing care models across the healthcare network
• Healthcare Outcome Optimisation: Strengthen partnerships to improve patient health outcomes through integrated, proactive care strategies

What you will bring

Key Selection Criteria

• Qualifications in nursing in the community, with desirable experience in mental health and/or care navigation

• Relevant work experience with a minimum of 3 years’ experience working with clients with multiple and complex healthcare needs (including severe mental health, AOD and other co-occurring conditions)

• Experience working effectively within an integrated care team delivering better client outcomes for complex clients, including appropriate involvement of mental health, AOD and social support services to develop collaborative care plans and provide holistic goal-directed care
• Strong interpersonal and administration skills with the ability to work collaboratively with individuals and their families, GP Practices and other stakeholders
• Experience in clinical case management and conducting clinical risk assessments and implementing risk management plans with clients
• Experience in using motivational interviewing techniques to support better outcomes highly desirable, though not essential
• Excellent understanding of mental health treatment services and referral pathways, with particular focus on the Eastern Region
• Strong communication & advocacy skills to engage with patients, GPs & service providers
• Passion for integrated, multidisciplinary healthcare
• Proficiency with electronic health record systems, Medical Director and Best Practice and Microsoft Office programs (Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint)

Attributes we value

• Knowledge of mental health, AOD and related services and be skilled in working both collaboratively with external service providers and within an integrated care team across the health and community services sector
• Possess an empathic, innovative and professional therapeutic style
• Excellent organisation, time management and problem-solving skills
• Ability to engage, influence, and collaborate with GPs, healthcare partners, and community stakeholders
• Strong project management skills with experience in program implementation
• Deep understanding of primary healthcare and general practice settings
• Demonstrated behaviours consistent with Access Health and Community values

Access Health and Community Culture and Benefits

At Access Health and Community, we offer more than just a fulfilling career—we provide an environment where you can thrive in a culture of collaboration and support. Our team members share a strong commitment and passion for making a positive impact. This shared ethos creates a workplace where everyone benefits, fostering opportunities for personal and professional growth, a sense of purpose, and true belonging. Our culture is built to promote success and fulfilment, empowering you to make a meaningful difference. Join us and experience the rewards of a career that truly matters.

The position encompasses an extensive range of benefits:

• Supportive and values-based culture and engaged workforce
• Culture of trust and empowerment for people to grow and thrive
• Commitment to a work-life balance with flexible working conditions
• Focus on staff wellbeing and health - Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Commitment to ongoing professional development and career growth
• Annual leave loading
• Generous salary packaging opportunities that reduce tax payable on income (up to $15,990 per annum + $2,650 meals/entertainment expenses)

Read more about our culture and benefits: https://accesshc.org.au/culture-and-benefits

Apply Now

Submit your application including your resume and cover letter addressing the selection criteria.

Please refer to the position description on our website for the key selection criteria information: https://accesshc.org.au/careers/

Please email, Talent Acquisition Lead: [email protected] using the subject line: Mental Health Nurses - Integrated Healthcare & Patient Support - Hawthorn enquiry via EthicalJobs if you would like further information about the role.

What’s in It for You?

• Be part of transforming primary healthcare through innovative, integrated care solutions
• Make a real impact by improving patient navigation and multidisciplinary collaboration
• Work alongside leading healthcare providers, researchers, and policy experts to shape the future of care.

Join our mission to create holistic, person-centered healthcare— Apply today!

next steps

To submit your application, please click ‘Apply Now’ by the closing date.

Apply now so you do not miss this opportunity, as we will be assessing applications when submitted.

Access Health and Community is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing an inclusive working environment that embraces and values all people, regardless of cultural background, age, gender identity, sexuality or lived and living experience. We value the diversity and strength of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and are committed to delivering on our vision for reconciliation through our recruitment and employment practices. Access is required to undertake compliance checks; however, a record of criminal history does not preclude applicants from applying for suitable positions. All applications will be assessed on a case-by-case basis and managed in a confidential and practical manner.

Position Description (also attached below)