Job description
Agency Department of Health Work unit Top End Mental Health and Alcohol and Other
Drugs Service
Job title Senior Specialist Mental Health Worker Designation Professional 3
Job type Full time Duration Ongoing
Salary $114,199 - $127,898 Location Darwin
Position number 2265 RTF 352813 Closing 20/08/2026
Contact officer Simon Peters on 08 8999 4988 or [email protected]
About the agency http://www.health.nt.gov.au/
Apply online https://jobs.nt.gov.au/Home/JobDetails?rtfId=352813
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
The position works across courts, prison, hospital and community settings and undertakes clinical reports for adults with major
mental disorders who are involved with the criminal justice system. The role provides written reports for the Darwin Local courts.
Key duties and responsibilities
1. Carry out specialised assessments in accord with clinical discipline and recognised principles of practice ensuring ethical,
evidence-based and best practice standards are maintained.
2. Deliver culturally appropriate, comprehensive and high-quality recovery focused mental health care, consistent with the
National Mental Health Standards and National Forensic Standards of Practice and the recovery framework.
3. Attain appointment as a Designated Mental Health Practitioner (within the meaning of s23 of the Mental Health and Related
Services Act 1998) and appropriately exercise the powers and meet the obligations of this role.
4. Maintain timely and accurate clinical and statistical records, in accord with established Top End Mental Health Service
information systems and protocols.
5. Follow defined service quality standards, work health and safety policies and procedures relating to the work being undertaken
in order to ensure high quality, safe services and workplaces.
6. Foster a positive workplace culture through exemplary leadership practices and role modelling behaviour.
Selection criteria
Essential
1. Have a recognised degree as a Psychologist, Occupational Therapist, or Social Worker with registration to practice as a
Psychologist, Occupational Therapist, or eligibility for practicing membership of the Australian Association of Social Workers.
2. Capacity to provide high-quality written reports including those required by the Local Courts.
3. Demonstrated knowledge and experience in risk and need assessment, treatment interventions for patients involved in
forensic mental health services.
4. Proven ability to work independently as well as work effectively in a multi-disciplinary team. Advanced skills in negotiation,
conflict resolution and inter-agency collaboration.
5. Demonstrated commitment to professional development, quality improvement, education and innovation to achieve
organisational goals and efficiency.
6. Demonstrated knowledge of current legislation, issues, standards and trends in forensic mental health.
7. Demonstrated understanding of contemporary models of rehabilitation for people who offend with mental illness, including
the risk needs responsivity model.
8. Ability to communicate and interact effectively with consumers, carers and family members from diverse cultural backgrounds.
Desirable
1. Graduate Certificate beyond entry to practice relevant to speciality area.
2. Registration as Board Approved Supervisor.
Further information
Department of Health has a Smoke Free Policy. Staff are not permitted to smoke anywhere on Departmental premises, facilities
or vehicles, nor whilst working off-site. 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 specific immunisation requirements - Category A (direct contact with blood or body
substances) or Category B (indirect contact with blood or body substances), check website for requirements: More information on
pre-employment checks specific to this role can be sourced through the vacancy contact.
