The opportunity

The Mental Health Clinician will join a collaborative multidisciplinary team implementing and evaluating a psychological intervention that aims to reduce depression among older people who receive aged care in the home. The EMBED trial is led by Professor Tanya Davison at Silverchain – one of Australia’s largest home care providers. The trial is funded by the Medical Research Future Fund and conducted in partnership with several leading academics.

This position would ideally suit a psychologist, occupational therapist, counsellor, social worker or mental health nurse with significant experience delivering psychological interventions.

The Mental Health Clinician will provide psychological assessment and treatment to older people with symptoms of depression and other challenging life circumstances who are taking part in the EMBED trial. This is an exciting opportunity to apply your skills in psychological therapy in the context of an innovative research program, implementing Australia’s first depression intervention designed for the in-home aged care setting.

The intervention is based on individually tailored behavioural activation and lifestyle therapies, and delivered to older people at home via telephone and video calls using a clinician manual and a range of clinical resources. Digital technologies will be used to enhance outcomes, and interventions will be delivered in collaboration with aged care workers and external health care providers. If effective, this approach could transform routine practice for older people nationally.

The Mental Health Clinician will work as part of a supportive team, with opportunities for regular group supervision and mentoring. Training in the treatment approach will be provided.

This position is fully remote, and the successful candidate can be located anywhere in Australia. There is some flexibility around preferred days and hours worked, depending on the candidate’s availability. However, most clients are in Western Australia, and the Mental Health Clinician needs to be available to work during business hours in that location.

Key responsibilities

• Conduct mental health assessments and deliver psychological treatment to older people using telehealth and other digital treatment modalities, according to a treatment manual.
• Liaise with Silverchain aged care workers and external health professionals around psychological interventions, as required.
• Manage clinical escalations according to the trial protocol and organisational policies and procedures.
• Collect clinical data and complete reporting on older people’s engagement with the intervention, outcomes and progress.

Key Selection Criteria

In your cover letter, describe how you meet each of the 4 key selection criteria below (please note that applications without this information will not be considered):

• Postgraduate (e.g., Masters, Professional Doctorate) or other relevant university degree in a field related to mental health (e.g., clinical psychology, counselling, mental health nursing, social work, occupational therapy).
• Professional registration to practice in Australian as appropriate for profession (e.g., through Australian Health Practitioner Regulations Agency).
• A minimum of two years’ experience delivering psychological therapies, such as behavioural activation or cognitive behavioural therapy.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, ideally with experience collaborating with healthcare and/or aged care providers.

The following criteria are also highly desirable:

• Experience working with older adults.
• Demonstrated experience delivering psychological therapy via telehealth and an interest in use of digital treatment models.
• Advanced MS Office skills and familiarity with electronic client record systems.
• Previous experience working in a research context would be welcomed but is not essential.

Benefits

• Competitive hourly rate + Super + the ability to salary package up to $18,550.
• Comprehensive health and wellbeing resources and support.
• Exclusive fitness and health insurance discounts.
• Option to purchase an extra 2 weeks leave per calendar year.
• Paid parental leave of 12 weeks.
• 17% Leave Loading.
• Subsidised gym membership with participating gym partners.

How to Apply

If you feel as though your skills and experience are a good fit to the above criteria, we would love to see your application, please click "Apply Now" and start your Silverchain journey.

At Silverchain Group, we recognise the positive contribution that a diverse workforce makes to our organisation where individuals can be authentic, are respected and celebrated. We strongly encourage applications from Indigenous Australians, people of all ages, gender, abilities, culturally diverse and linguistic backgrounds.

About Silverchain Group

For 130 years, Silverchain has been a leading provider of high-quality health and aged care in the homes and across Australia. It is our ambition to create a better home care system for all Australians.

Join our team of more than 5,800 staff, including corporate staff, nurses, doctors, allied health, care experts and a dedicated research and innovation division, operating as Silverchain, RDNS Silverchain and KinCare. We care for more than 140,000 clients across Australia. We’ll provide you with opportunities to help you develop and grow in your career, with training and education programs to help you achieve your goals.

We reserve the right to commence the recruitment process and extend or withdraw this advertisement prior to the closing date.

Please note that unsolicited applications from agencies will not be accepted.