Job Description
Agency Department of Health Work unit Top End Mental Health and Alcohol and Other
Drugs Services
Job title Director of Acute Services Designation Senior Professional Officer 2
Job type Full time Duration Fixed for 2 years
Salary $157,334 - $171,482 Location Darwin
Position number 16352 RTF 353687 Closing 16/09/2026
Contact officer Sarah Anstey on 08 8999 4956 or [email protected]
About the agency https://health.nt.gov.au/
Apply online https://jobs.nt.gov.au/Home/JobDetails?rtfId=353687
APPLICATIONS MUST INCLUDE A ONE-PAGE SUMMARY ABOUT YOU, A DETAILED RESUME AND COPIES OF YOUR TERTIARY
QUALIFICATIONS.
Information for applicants – inclusion and diversity and Special Measures recruitment plans
The NTPS values diversity. The NTPS encourages people from all diversity groups to apply for vacancies and accommodates people with
disability by making reasonable workplace adjustments. If you require an adjustment for the recruitment process or job, please discuss
this with the contact officer. For more information about applying for this position and the merit process, go to the OCPE website.
Aboriginal applicants will be granted priority consideration for this vacancy. For more information on Special Measures plans, go to the
OCPE website.
Primary objective
As a member of the Senior Leadership Team (SLT), the position is responsible for the strategic leadership and effective senior operational
management of the Top End Region’s acute mental health services, including contributing to the strategic development of the Top End
Mental Health Alcohol and Other Drug service (TEMHAODS). There is a specific focus on the mental health inpatient units and mental
health access team, including leading systemic change in the development, review and evaluation of the services through collaborative
relationships with other clinical and service leaders in establishing the new inpatient unit.
Key duties and responsibilities
1. Provide high level leadership and operational management in the delivery of innovative and responsive acute inpatient and mental
health access services within a recovery orientated and trauma informed practice frame.
2. Actively contribute to the strategic direction of TEMHAODS through participation, advice and engagement in the SLT.
3. Foster a positive workplace culture through exemplary leadership practices and role modelling behaviour.
4. Positively contribute to the development of Top End MHAOD services through engagement and collaboration with key stakeholders
both government and non-government.
5. Follow defined service quality standards, work health and safety policies and procedures, financial and human resources policies and
procedures relating to MHAOD recovery and rehabilitation services to ensure high quality, safe services and workplaces.
Selection criteria
Essential
1. Relevant Health Qualifications with current APHRA registration or eligible for same.
2. Demonstrated experience in managing health services in a complex operating environment.
3. High level of interpersonal and communication skills including demonstrated ability to collaborate and negotiate with key stakeholders
across government, non-government service providers and Aboriginal community-controlled health sectors to deliver mental health
and alcohol and other drug services.
4. Demonstrated skills in building cross functional teams and proven constructive teamwork at all levels of an organisation including
senior leadership teams, work units and between teams.
5. Previous experience in leading change and implementing innovative solutions to address service provision challenges within resource
constraints.
6. High level ability to use information, data and performance analytics to drive operational efficiency, inform decision-making, monitor
service performance and support continuous improvement in MHAOD service delivery.
7. High level knowledge of contemporary acute MHAOD practices, policy directions, models of care, and issues of local, national and
international relevance, and an understanding of their application in the service context.
8. A demonstrated ability to interact effectively with people of diverse cultures.
9. Hold Current NT driver’s licence or ability to acquire.
Desirable
1. Membership with a relevant health professional body, association or society demonstrating commitment to continuous professional
development and evidence-based care.
Further information
Positions may be subject to pre-employment checks such as immunisation requirements, working with children clearance notice and
criminal history checks. A criminal history will not exclude an applicant from this position unless it is a relevant criminal history. For
immunisation requirements - Category A (direct contact with blood or body substances) or Category B (indirect contact with blood or
body substances), check with contact person for requirements.
Approved: July 2026 Sarah Anstey, General Manager, TEMHAODS
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