About Us
Access Health and Community (AccessHC) is a leading not-for-profit healthcare provider with over 150 years of experience delivering inclusive, person-centered care across Melbourne’s inner and outer east and northeast.
With 600 staff and 200 volunteers across 17 locations, we offer a wide range of integrated services to support diverse communities. Following our May 2025 merger with Inspiro, we’ve expanded our reach into the Yarra Ranges and strengthened our commitment to accessible, high-quality community health services.
We are proud of our commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), strong Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles, and our respect for the rights culture and contributions of First Nations peoples. At AccessHC, we are united by compassion, collaboration and community-led care to help people live healthier lives.
The opportunity
Join our highly motivated and skilled Mental Health, Alcohol and Other Drug Intake team and work with a passionate and engaged workforce within a truly supportive value-based culture. We are seeking a passionate qualified Mental Health, Alcohol, and Other Drug Intake Clinician to work with clients to provide assessment, short term counselling and care and recovery.
About the role
As a key player in the Mental Health and AOD service, you'll be the first point of contact, engaging and triaging clients for mental health and AOD services, including the 'Steps' Mental Health Stepped Care service. Triage, assess, and support clients to access various mental health and/or AOD services, utilizing phone, telehealth, and face-to-face interactions. Responsibilities include needs assessment, risk evaluation, single sessions, and appointment booking, providing information, and making external referrals as necessary.
This is a Max term part-time 0.6 EFT position until 30th June 2027, reporting to the Manager AOD and based in Hawthorn.
What you will be doing
- Register and triage all mental health and AOD referrals, including Medication Support and Recovery Service (MSRS), Stepped Care/ Head to health, forensic/youth/adult/family AOD referrals, community health counselling, HACC PYP NDIS, My Aged Care and Fee-for-service referrals
- Conduct clinical intake with clients (face-to-face or phone) to determine their mental health & AOD needs and appropriate referral pathways using intake and screening tools as required (this may include use of the AUDIT, DUDIT, K10, IAR tool and others)
- Conduct comprehensive clinical assessments with clients which includes assessment of presenting issue, mental state examination, family/relationships, physical health, substance use, mental health, psychosocial support/functioning and goals for treatment
- Provide single sessions and/or brief interventions (either over the phone or face-to-face) with clients presenting with short-term or mild mental health/AOD concerns
- Book appointments with appropriate mental health & AOD clinicians
- Answer the Duty phone when rostered on
- Conduct clinical risk assessments (including suicide risk assessments and MARAM) and implement risk management plans where appropriate
- Inform clients, families and others of both internal and external referral pathways to support clients and key stakeholders
What you will bring Key Selection Criteria
- Relevant mental health qualifications (such as social work, psychology counselling, alcohol and other drugs, nursing or similar field) and equivalent work experience with a minimum 2 years' experience working with clients in mental health, AOD or related fields
- Excellent understanding of mental health and alcohol and other drug (AOD) treatment services and referral pathways, with particular focus on the Eastern Region
- Experience and/or training in conducting clinical risk assessments and implementing risk management plans with clients
- The ability to produce and maintain high level clinical documents, reports
- Proficiency with electronic health record systems (such as TrakCare,) and Microsoft Office programs (Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint and databases
Attributes we value
- Possess a warm, empathic and professional therapeutic style
- Ability to work independently and as part of a multi-disciplinary team
- Ability to work autonomously, make decisions, organize workload, set priorities and meet deadlines
- Willingness to expand your current skillset to meet the needs of the service
- The ability to work respectfully and creatively with diverse populations, including Indigenous Australians, LGBTIQ and CALD communities
- Demonstrated behaviours consistent with AccessHC values
Compliance Requirements:
- National Police Check, Working with Children Check
- Evidence of the right to work in Australia and a valid Driver’s Licence.
Access Health and Community Culture & Benefits
At AccessHC, we offer more than just a fulfilling career; we invest in our people and provide an environment where you can thrive in a culture of collaboration and support. Our team members share commitment and passion to make a positive impact, and this ethos creates a range of benefits for our people from opportunities for personal and professional growth to a sense of purpose and belonging.
Our culture promotes an environment of success and fulfilment. Join us and experience a career where you truly make a difference.
The position encompasses an extensive range of benefits:
- Supportive and values-based culture and engaged workforce
- Culture of trust and empowerment for people to grow and thrive
- Commitment to a work-life balance with flexible working conditions
- Focus on staff wellbeing and health - Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Commitment to ongoing professional development and career growth
- Paid parental leave and opportunity to purchase additional leave
- Annual leave loading
- Generous salary packaging opportunities that reduce tax payable on income (up to $15,990 per annum + $2,650 meals/entertainment expenses)
Read more about our culture and benefits: https://accesshc.org.au/culture-and-benefits
Apply Now
Submit your application including your resume and cover letter addressing the selection criteria.
Please refer to the position description on our website for the key selection criteria information: https://accesshc.org.au/careers/
Please reach out to for further information and/or the opportunity to discuss this role by contacting Kirsten Quirke, AOD Team leader
E: [email protected]
Apply now so you do not miss this opportunity, as we will be assessing applications as they are submitted and may appointment prior to end of application date.
Applications close date: 25th August 2026
Our Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion
Access Health and Community is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing an inclusive working environment that embraces and values all people, regardless of cultural background, age, gender identity, sexuality or lived and living experience.
We strongly encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people from culturally diverse backgrounds, people with disability, people of all genders and sexualities, and people with lived and living experience.
We recognise the strength, resilience and ongoing contributions of First Nations peoples and are committed to advancing reconciliation through our employment, service delivery and organisational practices.
All compliance requirements will be assessed on a case-by-case basis, and a criminal history does not automatically exclude an applicant from employment. All applications will be treated confidentially.
