The Safeguards Team is a new Child, Adolescent and Youth Acute Mental Health Service designed to provide innovative, timely and best practice care to children and adolescents aged 0-17 years experiencing acute mental health distress. The team is community based and provides rapid, mobile and flexible care to resolve acute mental health crisis, including assessment, assertive outreach and referrals, and as appropriate time-limited brief therapeutic interventions and short-term care coordination. The Safeguards Team currently operates within an integrated model with the adult Acute Care Team (ACT) with focus on acute child and adolescent mental health that is inclusive of working with the families and carers. Safeguards operates 7 days/week with extended hours on weekdays, and responds to young people in their schools, homes, communities or hospital-based settings (Emergency Departments and inpatient units), through face to face, telephone or audio-visual appointments. Support to the ACT may also be required pending service demand.

Suitable applicants will demonstrate an investment in the Safeguards service development, implementation and establishment of the team. Desired qualities include being enthusiastic, innovative, pro-active, dynamic, flexible, and adaptable, with a focus on leadership and quality improvement skill.

The Occupational therapist will plan, coordinate, and implement their level of clinical expertise and knowledge within Occupational therapy to provide evidence based, trauma informed and developmentally appropriate assessment and treatment to children and adolescents (0 to 17 years) in acute mental health distress, and their families. The position will optimise health outcomes consistent with ISLHD policies, procedures, standards, relevant legislation, and the NSW Health Code of Conduct.

All NSW Health workers are required to have completed an up-to-date course of a COVID-19 vaccine (2 doses) which has been approved or recognised by the Therapeutics Goods Administration (TGA). New applicants must have completed the vaccination course prior to commencement with NSW Health, or provide an approved medical contraindication certificate certifying the worker cannot have any approved COVID-19 vaccines available in NSW.

Acceptable proof of vaccination is the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR) Immunisation History Statement or AIR COVID-19 Digital Certificate. Please provide proof of vaccination if available.

Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District is committed to equal employment opportunity and embraces diversity and inclusion within its workforce. As such, people from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply. This includes but is not limited to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People, People with Disability, Women and People from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse backgrounds.

Talent Pool

This recruitment may be used to create a talent pool / eligibility list where candidates may be offered casual, ongoing permanent, or temporary full-time or part-time positions within the next 18 months.

Please note: Employment of a temporary visa holder may only occur if no suitable permanent resident or citizen of Australia has been identified for this position following suitable labour market testing.

Successful applicants to the role must provide certified documentation of vaccination history and pathology as part of their recruitment documentation. The applicant must be certified as compliant with Occupational Assessment, Screening and Vaccination Against Specified Infectious Diseasesbefore employment can commence.

Criminal record checks will be undertaken on successful applicants. This position is designated as child-related employment and you will be required to obtain a Working With Children clearance from the Office of the Children’s Guardian. To apply, please go to https://wwccheck.ocg.nsw.gov.au/Apply

Your claim against the selection criteria is the most important part of your application as it will help determine whether or not you have met the standard of response required by the panel to be eligible for an interview. You should read the Position Description and then address the selection criteria for the role, giving examples where required.Applicants are encouraged to review the following information on Applying for a position within NSW Health at: http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/careers/guide/nswhealth/Pages/apply-for-position.aspx

Selection Criteria

1. Current registration to practice as an Occupational Therapist with the Occupational Therapy Board, AHPRA.
2. Current NSW drivers license or equivalent.
3. Demonstrated high-level written and oral communication skills.
4. Demonstrated ability to be self-motivated and able to work in a team environment.
5. Demonstrated clinical experience in occupational therapy practice and the provision of services to a broad range of consumer groups.
6. Demonstrated high level of organisational and time management skills.
7. Evidence of knowledge and commitment to the application of quality improvement and evidence based practice to occupational therapy.

Need more information?
1) Click here for the Position Description
2) Find out more about applying for this position
For role related queries or questions contact George Macmillan on [email protected]