WORKING AT ST VINCENT’S MENTAL HEALTH SERVICE
St Vincent’s provides a comprehensive, collegial training environment designed to develop psychiatrists with broad clinical capability and strong leadership skills. Trainees benefit from an extensive academic program that includes psychotherapy training, grand‑round style teaching, critical analysis sessions, psychodynamic reading tutorials, reflective practice, and robust exam preparation supported by senior consultants. Historically, trainees have achieved high pass rates, reflecting the depth and quality of the program.
The service also recognises the emotional demands of mental health work and prioritises trainee wellbeing through accessible senior support, an open‑door clinical executive, and practical guidance from lead and senior registrars. Additional counselling resources, including the ACCESS and STAR programs, help trainees balance professional responsibilities with personal challenges.
STP VAHS-Counselling Service
Hours: 1.0 EFT (43hrs)
Duration of appointment: Feb 2027 – Feb 2028
Classification: HM26 – 30
Location: VAHS Preston
About the Role
Applications are invited for an advanced psychiatry registrar with a specific interest in Indigenous Mental Health. This is an accredited training position jointly held by the Victorian Aboriginal Health Service and St Vincent’s Mental Health, funded under the Federal Government’s Specialist Training Program.
The position is based in the community at the Family Counselling Service of the Victorian Aboriginal Health Service, and involves assessment, investigation and treatment of a wide range of mental health issues.
In addition to clinical supervision from on-site consultant psychiatrists and joining a multidisciplinary cross-cultural health team, the position is supported by an extensive academic and educational program offered by St Vincent’s Mental Health.
There is an expectation that the successful applicant contribute to the on-call roster at St Vincent’s Mental Health.
For further information please contact:
Dr Kah-Seong Loke
Consultant Psychiatrist
VAHS Family Counselling Service
238-250 Plenty Rd, Preston VIC 3072
Email: [email protected]
Duties
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Assess, formulate and develop treatment plans for patients treated at the Victorian Aboriginal Health Service (Family Counselling Service) under the supervision of the consultant psychiatrist, and for patients admitted to St Vincent’s Mental Health.
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Liaise with other members of the multidisciplinary team including Aboriginal Health Workers on the formulation and delivery of the treatment plan.
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Develop and display an awareness and sensitivity to cultural, social and historical factors which may contribute to presentations. Integration of this awareness and sensitivity into the treatment plan.
Your Contribution
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Bachelor Medicine, Bachelor Surgery or equivalent
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Registration with the AHPRA or eligibility for general registration
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Registration as a medication prescriber
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Commitment to the Values and Health Care Philosophy of SVHM
What we offer
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Salary Packaging – increase your take home pay
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Supportive and welcoming Employee Assistance Program
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Ability to join Fitness Passport - your pass to an extensive choice of fitness
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Culture of continuous improvement
About the Mental Health Department at St Vincent’s Hospital
St. Vincent’s Mental Health (SVMH) emphasizes strengths and recovery opportunities for individuals experiencing mental health issues and illness. In doing so we acknowledge cultural diversity and recognize the role of psychosocial vulnerability and trauma but aim to foster a spirit of resilience which sees the individual driving their recovery professionally supported by their treating team. St Vincent's Mental Health includes an adult area mental health service for the inner city areas of Yarra and Boroondara, as well as statewide mental health services including BETRS, VDDS and VTMH.
St Vincent’s trainees have access to a wealth of specialist experiences including dual diagnosis, Aboriginal mental health, psychiatry of trauma, psychotherapy, perinatal psychiatry, psycho-oncology, consultation liaison psychiatry, psychiatry of old age, and forensic psychiatry. Trainees are rotated to Austin and Eastern Health or to a new private rotation at Gertrude Street Clinic for their child and adolescent mental health experience.
Application
Please attach your resume and cover letter for your application.
Shortlisting for this position will commence immediately. We encourage you to apply promptly as the advertisement may close early should a suitable applicant be sourced.
We encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and abilities. Inclusion is essential to our mission and diversity reflects the community we serve.
Please visit our website, for further information regarding our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Employment at SVHM.
SVHA has a duty of care under work health and safety legislation to eliminate and/or control the risk of transmission of vaccine-preventable diseases in healthcare settings. You may therefore be required to undergo mandatory immunisations/vaccinations (including flu vaccinations).
5 July 2026 11:59pm
At St Vincent's we acknowledge the importance of creating a work environment that is welcoming, safe, equitable and inclusive for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Employees. As part of our Commitment to Reconciliation and Closing the Gap in employment related outcomes, we encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.
For further information, visit https://www.svha.org.au/about-us/reconciliation or get in contact at [email protected]
