Role Summary:
- Location: Sunshine Hospital and Harvester Clinic (as required)
- Employment Type: Part-Time (0.8 FTE), Fixed Term (until September 2027)
- Salary: Grade 4 RPN/OT/SW or Grade 3 Psychologist + Superannuation + Salary Packaging
About the role:
The Senior Mental Health Clinician (Intake) will work with the Perinatal Mental Health in delivering recovery-oriented mental health services. You will provide clinical and operational leadership in screening and assessing referrals, ensuring individuals are linked to the right care. In addition to these responsibilities, you will provide consultation liaison services to the inpatient wards at Joan Kirner Hospital.
The Senior Clinician plays a pivotal role in the delivery of high quality, consumer and family centred care to the women, and their families in the perinatal period. The Senior Clinician will provide clinical leadership and collaborate in assessments, provide support and discipline specific and evidenced based interventions. The Senior Clinicians will participate, role model and contribute to the development and implementation of the service to achieve the strategic goals in line with best practice and achieving best outcomes for the consumer.
The service provides mental health assessment and treatment for women requiring assistance with:
- Significant emotional distress around pregnancy, delivery, or having a baby in the Special Care Nursery.
- Depression (antenatal, postnatal) in the perinatal period.
- Anxiety (including Panic Disorder, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Phobias) in the perinatal period.
- Adjustment to parenthood.
- Psychological preparation and support for perinatal medical procedures.
- Pregnancy related grief and loss.
- Liaison and coordination between perinatal mental health support services for client.
The service also provides capacity building, education and secondary consultation and advice about perinatal mental illness to primary health care providers, in particular maternity services at Sunshine Hospital.
Key responsibilities:
- Provide clinical leadership in the form of role modelling and mentoring to clinical and wellbeing staff.
- Provide leadership to the team with shift coordination and handover in the absence of the Team Leader or Mental Health Community Support Services (MHCSS) Manager.
- Participate in collaborative mental health assessment with MHCSS staff (where applicable) and consumers where indicated.
- Work with consumers who have a more complex lived experience of mental ill health, providing support and strategies to other clinicians.
- Providing interventions in relation to complex clinical issues, including Dual Diagnosis, to improve consumer level of functioning and quality of life. Simultaneously work collaboratively with consumers, families, carers and MHCSS partner staff (where applicable) in the development, implementation and review of Individual Recovery Plans/Treatment Plans and provision of quality services.
- Possess current, advanced, specialist mental health knowledge and skills and apply these skills to lead clinical interventions.
About you:
- Passionate meeting the mental health and wellbeing recovery needs of perinatal women.
- Previous clinical experience in delivering mental health and discipline specific interventions.
- Ability to engage and collaborate with key internal and external stakeholders.
- Ability to work with a multidisciplinary team and provide clinical leadership, mentoring and support the development of staff.
- High level of verbal and written communications.
Click here for the Position Description.
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 leading the delivery of Best Care in perinatal mental health care, we’d love to hear from you.
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 3 September 2026.
Enquiries: For further information about this role, contact Melinda Corona 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.
Western Health
