- Location: Sydney, NSW; Newcastle, NSW; Lismore, NSW
- Salary Range: $104,898 - $119,116 + Attractive Superannuation
- This vacancy has been identified to participate in VetPaths
Are you an experienced Mental Health therapist looking for a break from client work but want a role that utilises the full breadth of your knowledge and skills? We are seeking an experienced mental health professional to assist in the coordination of the Outreach Program where you will provide support to a diverse group of contracted mental health professionals, Outreach Program Clinicians (OPCs). OPCs perform direct clinical service provision with Open Arms clients. Your role will be to ensure clinical, contractual and quality assurance standards are met in the delivery of these services. The suitable candidate will have good attention to detail, solid clinical skills, an understanding of contractual compliance and the ability to apply their knowledge of evidence-based therapies to the review of work performed in the Outreach Program.
Open Arms – Veterans & Families Counselling (formerly VVCS) is Australia’s leading provider of high-quality mental health assessment and clinical counselling services for Australian veterans and their families. Open Arms are focused on meeting client needs through a combination of proven clinical practices and new and emerging evidence-based approaches.
Outreach Program Coordinators (APS 6) work within the Open Arms Division of the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA), providing coordination and management of the Open Arms Outreach Provider Program inclusive of Outreach Program Clinicians, Group Program Facilitators, external Clinical Supervisors, and partnership referrals.
Outreach Program Coordinators work under the direction of an Assistant Director. They are required to make decisions, problem solve and navigate complex client issues, whilst adhering to relevant legislation, ethical guidelines and policies. Critical thinking, communication and interpersonal skills are paramount, and Clinicians must demonstrate high levels of integrity and emotional intelligence. Bringing knowledge of veterans’ and their families’ experiences to the role, Outreach Program Coordinators will demonstrate respect for all clients and uphold a strong commitment to confidentiality and privacy.
DUTIES
As an APS6 you will be required to
- Develop and maintain professional relationships with Outreach Program Providers, facilitate communications and coordinate activities of the Outreach Provider Program.
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Provide training on-boarding and off-boarding to Outreach Program Providers and act as the Open Arms liaison point of contact by providing on-going information, debriefing and support.
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Ensure that Outreach Program Providers meet Key Performance Indicators in accordance with the Open Arms Quality and Safety Framework to ensure continuous improvement.
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Support Outreach Program Providers in meeting clinical liaison notification requirements and provide post-vention support as required.
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Review requests for partnership referrals and advise on suitability.
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Develop, maintain, and manage a database of Outreach Program Providers and update Intake Allocators and administrative staff on availability.
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In accordance with organisational goals and identified regional demand, ensure a program of treatment and psychoeducational groups and workshops are developed, promoted, and delivered to targeted populations and areas to achieve maximum client and stakeholder access.
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Engaging with complainants of Outreach Program Providers to identify concerns and develop options to achieve resolution.
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Assess and analyse complaints received regarding the Outreach Provider Program with a view to deciding the appropriate resolution actions.
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Act as the first escalation point for complex Outreach Provider Program issues raised by Intake Allocators and Clinical Governance Officers.
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Schedule and attend Continuing Professional Development (CPD) activities, including clinical supervision, to maintain professional registration.
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Apply the principles of cooperative and safe working practices consistent with APS Values and the Department’s mission, vision, approach and values.
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Maintain a small clinical workload of clients as negotiated with the Assistant Director.
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Participate in community development and service promotion activities, as required.
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Participate in Open Arms program evaluation and research activities, contributing to project management activities that implement strategic directions and quality improvement recommendations, and provide feedback for ongoing development of clinical policies and procedures, as required.
MANDATORY REQUIREMENTS
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Qualifications as a registered Psychologist / Occupational Therapist / Registered Nurse with full AHPRA registration, OR
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Qualification as a Social Worker with membership of the Australian Association Social Workers (AASW) on commencement, OR
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A Masters-level counselling qualification and registration with PACFA as a Registered Clinical Counsellor or with ACA at Level 3 or Level 4.
And
- Currently hold or ability to obtain a Working with Vulnerable People registration, OR
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Currently hold or ability to obtain a Working with Children check.
ELIGIBILITY
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Under section 22(8) of the Public Service Act 1999, employees must be Australian citizens to be employed in the Australian Public Service (APS).
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All applicants external to DVA offered employment will be required to successfully undergo a pre-engagement screening check, even if they have a security clearance. The screening check is conducted in accordance with the Australian Government Protective Security Policy Framework requirements.
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The successful candidate will be required obtain and maintain a Baseline Vetting (AGSVA) security clearance.
NOTES
This recruitment process is being used to fill ongoing and/or non-ongoing position/s. For more information about the role, please see the .
A merit pool of suitable applicants may be created which may be used to fill future ongoing and non-ongoing vacancies should they become available over the next 18 months.
Successful applicants engaged into the APS will be subject to a probation period.
DVA embraces and fosters a culture that supports diversity, inclusion and respect, where people are empowered to fulfil their potential. We welcome people with diverse skills, experiences, perspectives and backgrounds. We are dedicated and committed to attracting and recruiting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and encourage applications from people with disability, people that identify as LGBTQIA+ and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. Take on a rewarding, varied, and broad career with an Australian Public Service Department that can bring balance and flexibility to your working life, while supporting you to stay connected to your community.
DVA is committed to improving the data skills and capability of our workforce to underpin our goal of becoming a leading data-driven organisation.
RecruitAbility applies to this vacancy. Under the RecruitAbility scheme you will be invited to participate in further assessment activity for the vacancy if you choose to apply under the scheme; declare you have a disability; and meet the minimum requirements for the job. For more information visit: https://www.apsc.gov.au/recruitability
The Australian Public Service (APS) values the unique skills, perspectives, and experiences that veterans gain during their Australian Defence Force (ADF) employment and encourage veterans to apply. Support may be available to veterans transitioning to meaningful APS careers through participation in VetPaths, which offers veterans an opportunity to participate in a six-month program offering formal learning and development, career mentoring and activities for wellness and peer support.
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