Lead with purpose as the Acute Care and Intake Team Leader, shaping recovery-focused mental health services while inspiring multidisciplinary teams across the Hunter Valley and Lower Mid North Coast.
Remuneration: $114 251 - $134 809 Per annum + 12% Super + Salary Packaging
Employment Type: Permanent Full Time
Position Classification: Health Manager Level 2
Hours Per Week: 38
Location: Negotiable - Hunter Valley to the Lower Mid North Coast
Requisition ID: REQ665957
Applications Close: Thursday 11th June 2026
About the role:
As the Acute Care and Intake Team Leader, you will provide inspiring leadership and operational oversight to multidisciplinary teams across the Hunter Valley and Lower Mid North Coast, driving the delivery of high-quality, person-centred mental health services that achieve positive outcomes for consumers, families, and carers.
In this pivotal leadership position, you will contribute advanced clinical expertise while supporting the delivery of contemporary mental health care, including intake and assessment services, early intervention, shared care coordination, and trauma-informed practice. A key focus of the role is fostering a culture of recovery-oriented care, supporting staff to develop strong therapeutic relationships, engage meaningfully with families and carers, and collaborate effectively across services to achieve the best possible outcomes.
Success in this role will be underpinned by a strong understanding of modern mental health service delivery, including intake pathways, shared care models, and family-inclusive approaches. The position calls for a confident and capable leader who can navigate complex clinical and operational challenges, build strong stakeholder relationships, and provide effective guidance to teams operating within a dynamic healthcare environment.
With highly developed organisational and people leadership skills, the successful candidate will ensure the efficient and effective operation of Acute Care and Intake services while fostering a positive, collaborative, and high-performing team culture.
In return, this opportunity offers comprehensive support from experienced senior leaders, Clinical Coordinators, the Hunter Valley and Lower Mid North Coast Mental Health Service Manager, and the relevant Head of Discipline. A structured onboarding program, ongoing professional development opportunities, and access to education and training initiatives will support continued growth as a healthcare leader while contributing to the delivery of exceptional mental health services across the region.
Where you’ll be working:
Join the Hunter Valley Lower Mid North Coast Mental Health Service and lead a dedicated Acute Care Team committed to delivering high-quality, recovery-focused mental health care across a diverse and vibrant region. This essential service provides timely assessment, consultation, treatment, and ongoing support to adults experiencing mental health challenges, while working closely with families, carers, and community partners to promote continuity of care and positive recovery outcomes.
The team plays a pivotal role in supporting consumers as they transition from hospital to community-based care, delivering comprehensive services including medication monitoring, psychoeducation, relapse prevention, and coordinated engagement with local health and support services. Through a collaborative and person-centred approach, the service strives to empower individuals on their recovery journey while ensuring seamless access to the care and support they need.
Offering flexibility and work-life balance, this position can be based within either the Hunter Valley or the Lower Mid North Coast, providing an excellent opportunity to combine meaningful leadership with the lifestyle benefits of two of New South Wales' most picturesque regions.
What we can offer you:
At Hunter New England Health, enjoy a career where you're challenged by interesting work and surrounded by spectacular locations. You'll contribute to the team enriching health in millions of ways every day. On top of this we also offer:
- Supportive and collaborative team environment
- Ongoing professional development opportunities across the administrative network
- Career progression opportunities within NSW Health
- Ongoing support from an Administration Manager and experienced colleagues
- Annual leave and paid parental leave for eligible employees
- Salary packaging options to increase take-home pay
- Fitness Passport and Employee Assistance Program (EAP) to support wellbeing
Requirements:
- Tertiary qualifications in a health-related discipline or equivalent work experience or a combination of relevant study and work experience
- Highly regarded qualification in Occupational Therapy, Clinical Psychology (or be in the process of completing Clinical Masters), Nursing, Social Worker, Counsellor (Degree in Bachelor of Science Mental Health, Djirruwang Program) which provides eligibility or membership of the relevant professional
association general registration through the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency.
Eligible to drive in NSW and ability to travel for work purposes.
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If this sounds like you, we would love you to apply:
- A strong understanding of contemporary mental health service delivery, including intake services, shared care models, and family-inclusive practice.
- Demonstrated ability to confidently navigate complex and sensitive situations while maintaining a person-centred and recovery-focused approach.
- Proven capability to build and maintain positive therapeutic relationships with consumers, families, carers, and multidisciplinary teams.
- Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage effectively with a broad range of stakeholders across the healthcare system.
- Highly developed organisational and leadership capabilities, ensuring the efficient coordination and smooth operation of Acute Care and Intake services.
- A collaborative and adaptable professional who thrives in dynamic environments and is committed to delivering high-quality mental health care and service excellence.
Bring your dedication, professionalism, and heart for healthcare to our team - we can’t wait to hear from you! If this sounds like you, we would love you to apply:
Additional information:
An eligibility list will be created for future permanent full or part time and temporary full or part time vacancies.
At Hunter New England Local Health District, we are an inclusive employer dedicated to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and welcoming workplace. Our commitment to a workforce that reflects the community we care for is essential for delivering the highest quality healthcare to our community. We encourage people with diverse lived experiences to apply. If you require any accommodations or adjustments to the recruitment process please let us know when you apply or at any stage of the process. We will work with you to meet your needs and create the best possible experience. Please contact [email protected] for confidential support.
To be eligible for employment in this position you must be an Australian Citizen, or permanent resident of Australia, or a New Zealand citizen with a current New Zealand Passport, or hold an appropriate visa that allows you to live and work in Australia. Employment of a temporary visa holder will only be offered in line with the conditions and expiry date of your visa.
We are unable to accommodate visa sponsorship for applicants requiring a visa for this position.
Need more information?
For role related queries or questions contact Renae Blanch on [email protected]
Information for Applicants:
Applicants will be assessed against the essential requirements and selection criteria contained within the position description (link below). For assistance addressing selection criteria visit: https://bit.ly/3vL5fq2
Stepping Up Website is a resource designed to help indigenous job applicants apply for positions in NSW Health. For more information, please visit: https://bit.ly/HNEHealthSteppingUp
This is a Category A position. Recommended applicants will be reviewed for compliance with NSW Health policy directive PD2024_015: Occupational Assessment, Screening and Vaccination against Specified Infectious Diseases for Category A positions prior to offer. All new employees must agree to comply with the requirements outlined in the policy.
Salary Packaging: is beneficial to most Hunter New England Health employees and may increase your take-home pay! Salary package a range of personal expenses including novated motor vehicle leases, relocation expenses, and HECS/HELP debt. Find out more by contacting SalaryPackagingPLUS! via [email protected] or 1300 40 25 23.
Hunter New England Health employees may be eligible for a range of benefits such as allocated days off (ADO) for full time employees, long service leave, paid maternity leave, and salary packaging options including meal expenses.
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