- Location: Footscray Hospital
- Employment Type: Full-Time or Part-Time, Ongoing
- Salary: CNC B + Superannuation + Salary Packaging
About the role:
The MHAOD Clinical Nurse Consultant is a specialist nursing role within the Drug Health Services Division that helps people presenting to the Emergency Department with alcohol, other drug, and mental health concerns. The role provides expert assessment, intervention, care coordination, and clinical leadership while connecting consumers to the services they need.
This is an opportunity to make a meaningful impact on patient outcomes and influence service development to deliver connected, evidence-based care in line with Western Health’s vision for the future of healthcare.
Key responsibilities:
- Provide comprehensive AOD assessments for patients presenting to the Emergency Department, including screening, risk assessment, and treatment recommendations.
- Deliver brief interventions and care coordination, including motivational interviewing, withdrawal management support, referral pathways, and connection to hospital and community-based services.
- Provide expert clinical leadership and consultation to Emergency Department staff and multidisciplinary teams, supporting evidence-based care and positive patient outcomes.
- Lead and contribute to quality improvement, research, and service development initiatives that strengthen MHAOD services and improve consumer care.
- Support education, mentoring, and workforce development by sharing specialist knowledge, providing clinical guidance, and building capability across nursing and multidisciplinary teams.
About you:
- Current registration as a Registered Nurse with AHPRA.
- Senior clinical experience in mental health, AOD, dual diagnosis, or emergency department settings.
- Postgraduate qualification in AOD and/or Mental Health, completed or currently being undertaken.
- Strong clinical skills in assessment, treatment planning, withdrawal management, and referral pathways for people with AOD, mental health, and medical complexity.
- Ability to work independently and within a multidisciplinary team, with strong communication, organisation, adaptability, and commitment to continuous learning.
About Western Health
Western Health is one of the largest healthcare providers in Victoria, caring for a vibrant, diverse and rapidly growing community of one million people in Melbourne’s western suburbs.
With more than 13,000 staff, Western Health delivers 800,000+ occasions of care every year, providing high-quality, person-centred care across every life stage.
We provide a combination of hospital, community-based, at-home and in-reach services to aged, adult and paediatric patients and newborn babies. Specialties include oncology, renal, mental health, women’s health and maternity, chronic diseases, geriatrics and cardiology.
We have remarkable strengths in chronic disease, complex care and developing innovative and sustainable healthcare solutions. Our experience at the coalface of healthcare delivery for some of Australia’s most culturally and socioeconomically diverse and vulnerable populations provides us with unique insights into the most pressing health challenges.
Western Health operates four acute public hospitals: Sunshine Hospital (including Joan Kirner Women’s and Children’s), Footscray Hospital, Williamstown Hospital and Bacchus Marsh Hospital. We also operate Sunbury Community Hospital, Sunshine Mental Health and Wellbeing Centre, Melton Health and Community Services, Bacchus Marsh Community Health Centre, Caroline Springs Community Health Centre and Grant Lodge Residential Aged Care in Bacchus Marsh. Western Health also provides the primary healthcare service at the Dame Phyllis Frost Centre, a women’s prison located in Ravenhall.
Why join us?
Compensation and benefits
- Competitive salary packages aligned with market standards.
- Health and wellbeing programs, including flexible work arrangements.
- Scholarships and grants to support your continuous learning journey.
Learning and development opportunities
- Access the Western Health Learning Academy (WHA) for personalised learning pathways.
- Professional growth programs, including postgraduate studies and clinical education.
- Mentorship and career support.
Community impact and inclusion
- Make a meaningful difference in patients’ lives through compassionate care.
- Join a workforce that champions diversity and inclusion.
- Engage in community wellbeing initiatives and groundbreaking healthcare research.
Organisational culture and environment
- Thrive in a collaborative, compassionate and innovative team environment.
- Be part of a culture that celebrates continuous improvement and excellence in healthcare.
Ready to make an impact?
If you’re passionate about making a meaningful difference in people’s lives, delivering person-centred care, and helping shape innovative and connected AOD and mental health services, we’d love to hear from you. Simply click on the “apply” button and follow the prompts.
If you are currently employed at Western Health, please ensure you sign in through the 'Employee Login' via the external Careers Page or access the Careers Page via the intranet before applying.
Closing date: 11:59pm on 16 September 2026.
Enquiries: For further information about this role, contact Glenn Rutter via [email protected].
Western Health is an equal opportunity employer committed to attracting and retaining diversity in our workforce. We encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Western Health is committed to providing a safe environment for the children and young people who are involved in our services, sites and operations. We follow and abide by all legislative requirements to keep children and young people safe.
All appointments are made subject to a satisfactory Police Record Check, an Immunisation Status Clearance and a Working with Children Check (if applicable).
Western Health is committed to the psychosocial safety of all applicants and employees.
Western Health does not accept unsolicited resumes/applications from recruitment agencies.
