The Hospital:
The Royal Children’s Hospital’s (RCH) Vision is “A world where all kids thrive”.
RCH is a cornerstone member of the Melbourne Children’s Campus, partnering with Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, The University of Melbourne Department of Paediatrics and The Royal Children’s Hospital Foundation.
RCH has cared for the children and young people of Victoria for more than 150 years since it was founded in 1870. A full range of paediatrics and adolescent health services are provided plus tertiary and quaternary care for the most critically ill and medically complex patients in Victoria, Tasmania, southern NSW and other states around Australia and overseas. The Hospital has more than 6,000 staff, a budget of $850M, 12 wards and 350 beds. Annually, the RCH has 300,000+ Specialist Clinic appointments, 90,000+ Emergency Department presentations and 20,000 elective surgeries.
The RCH is committed to the Child Safe Standards.
RCH enjoys high employee engagement and is committed to staff safety and a positive culture through enactment of our Compact.
For further Information on RCH is available here.
Graduate Mental Health Clinician (Occupational Therapy)
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1-Year Graduate Program – graduates are encouraged to apply
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Ongoing support, training and development opportunities
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Make a real change to the lives of children and their families
What our current Graduates say about the Program:
“The grade 1 occupational therapy program with RCH mental health was a supportive and wonderful way to be introduced into the world of OTs in mental health. It is a true multidisciplinary team environment with so many opportunities to work and learn from other OTs as well as other disciplines.”
“The team is incredibly supportive, from the managers to the clinicians. When I started, I was given plenty of opportunities to co-work with experienced staff, which helped me build relationships and learn from different disciplines. I’ve always felt comfortable seeking support or debriefing when needed, and the senior staff consistently made time for me.”
About the Role
The Royal Children’s Hospital’s (RCH) Mental Health Department offers Early Career Mental Health Clinicians a one-year program where you will develop skills and experience to work effectively with children aged 0-11 and their families. You will spend one year working at two of our community-based Infant, Child and Family Area Mental Health & Wellbeing Clinics.
You will be responsible for:
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Engaging children and their families in recovery-focused clinical care
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Providing evidence-based interventions.
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Working collaboratively with colleagues and agency partners to provide high quality multidisciplinary care.
About you
If you are a recent or upcoming Occupational Therapy graduate, have a passion for paediatric and mental health care, we want to hear from you!
Essential
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Hold an OT degree qualification or equivalent from an accredited course/university
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Be registered with AHPRA and as such have satisfied the requirements of continuing professional development and recency of practice
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Current National Criminal Record Check and Valid Working with Children Check, or willing to obtain and compliance with RCHs “Staff Immunisation - Prevention of Vaccine Preventable Diseases” procedure
Desirable
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Experience in or exposure to the Mental Health specialty through student placement, lived experience, allied health support or a similar mental health setting.
If this sounds like you, click here to view the position description.
About the Department
For further information about careers in our Mental Health Department click here.
What we offer:
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Salary Packaging – Increase your take home pay by $11,500!
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Discounted Private Health Insurance
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Heavily discounted on-site parking, direct Public Transport access and bicycle storage facilities
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Counselling, financial coaching, legal support, nutritional support and specialist helpline services through Converge
Application process
To apply, you will need a resume and a tailored cover letter outlining your skills, experience, and suitability for the position in line with the requirements of the position description.
Shortlisting for this position will commence immediately, we encourage you to apply promptly!
For more information about this position please contact Gemma Urbini, Clinical Educator, 9345 6011, Email:
[email protected]
For more information about the RCH please visit our website.
Why work at the RCH?
RCH enjoys high employee engagement and is committed to staff safety and a positive culture through enactment of our Compact. We offer the opportunity to work in world-class facilities, surrounded by Royal Park and only a short tram trip from the heart of Melbourne city.
We also offer staff benefits such as discounted staff parking, salary packaging, and an award-winning health and wellbeing program.
The RCH is committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce. We encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people from culturally and/or linguistically diverse background, all members of the LGBTQI community and people with disability.
It is a requirement of your employment that you be vaccinated against Influenza annually for Category A and B roles, in compliance with any public health orders in place at the relevant time, unless you have a medical exception in line with those public health orders, which has been accepted by The Royal Children’s Hospital. Applicants will be required to provide their Australian Government Immunisation History Statement, it is a requirement of the RCH to collect, record and hold vaccination information.
It is also a requirement of your employment that you comply with any direction given by The Royal Children’s Hospital that you be vaccinated against, or prove immunity to, any other disease, unless you have a relevant exemption, and offers of employment are conditional on successful completion of background checks including reference checks.
Are you ready to join our team?
Apply online by clicking on the “Apply” button
Applications close 25 June 2026
