• Forensic Clinical Specialist
• Mid-West Area Mental Health Service
• Full Time, Permanent 80 hours per fortnight, including ADO
• Registered Psychiatric Nurse Grade 5 / Psychologist Grade 4/ SW4/ OT4

Life with Us:

The Mid West Area Mental Health Service (MWAMHS) provides mental health services to consumers residing and working in the Municipalities’ of Melton and Brimbank, in the Sunbury/Bulla. The catchment area offers several unique features which provide opportunities in the area of service provision, new mental health care initiatives and research opportunities.

The FCS role provides service delivery to all programs within the Mid-West Area Mental Health Service (Community, EMH, Bed-based services). The role is part of the Mid-West FCS Program and will work in partnership with the existing Forensic Clinical Specialist (based at Harvester Clinic, Sunshine) and is expected to operate within the established local FCS Program Operational Guidelines and the objectives provided by the Department of Health’s Forensic Clinical Specialist Initiative.

A Job to Be Proud Of:

• The Forensic Clinical Specialist role provides primary and secondary clinical consultation and clinical capacity building with Area Mental Health clinicians to support consumers who have a significant forensic history and complex high-risk needs. 
• The successful applicants will undertake joint and independent, structured professional judgement assessments of consumers who meet the DHS FCS Initiative target co-hort criteria, and present with a high risk of violent offending, across a range of clinical areas.
• The MW FCS Program and the role is expected to deliver specific education and training (risk management, violence screening & assessment) to AMHS clinicians and some general mental health training with external stakeholder providers (police, courts, corrections), whilst providing a key liaison function between MWAMHS and Corrective & Justice Services within the catchment
• The FCS role is also expected to contribute to service development and ongoing network and interagency partnerships with a variety of stakeholder providers

The FCS Program is primarily linked to local area Correctional facilities (Ravenhall Correctional Centre (Ballert Yeram Boo-ee), Dame Phyllis Frost Centre (Marmak Unit) and Metropolitan Remand Centre.

The role acts as a central resource for the relevant Court Mental Health Assessment & Response Service (MHARS), Police MH liaison and Community Correctional Services within the municipalities of Melton and Brimbank (including Sunbury/Bulla).

In working with these agencies, you will improve referral pathways and area responsiveness to people with mental health challenges and complex needs, transitioning from prison and the courts to specialist mental health care. 

Your Contribution:

• Excellent communication and documentation skills
• Extensive clinical experience (more than 5 years Team Leader/or equivalent position)
• The ability to provide advice regarding the management of forensic risk related issues & complex high-risk behaviours
• Interest, commitment and experience in the assessment and treatment of mental health consumers with co-existing forensic problems
• Proven ability to work autonomously within a small program and as part of the wider programs within MWAMHS, make clinically sound decisions and contribute to change management

Our Commitment to You:

• We are a values-based organisation, a career with us is a rewarding experience offering great prospects for career diversity and professional advancement
• NorthWestern Mental Health boasts a sophisticated learning structure and we pride ourselves on supporting continuing professional development
• Attractive salary and working conditions including annual and CPD leave, salary sacrifice
• Reward & Recognition Programs  
• Rich opportunities for professional development, training and research

Connect With Us:

Get to know us at www.nwmh.org.au or click ‘Apply Now’.

Melbourne Health is committed to Equal Employment Opportunity, ethical practice, and the principles of Cultural Diversity and social inclusion.

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All appointments are made subject to a satisfactory Criminal History Record Check and a Working with Children Check. Successful applicants will be required to provide evidence of an immunisation assessment prior to commencement.