Physiotherapist Grade 2- Transition to Mental Health Practice

• Rare and exciting opportunity to pioneer a physiotherapy service expansion in anemerging field of professional practice.
• Are you a Physiotherapist who is looking for an opportunity to learn and build on their existing skills in a new clinical practice area?
• Do you have at least 2 years’ experience working as a Physiotherapist?
• Are you passionate about a career in mental health, supporting the connection between physical health and mental wellbeing?
• Join a permanent full-time role incorporating a 12 month supported learning program to transition to mental health practice.
• Be part of the significant reform and growth of the mental health system and implementation of the recommendations from the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System.

Eastern Health

Eastern Health is one of Melbourne’s largest public health services. We provide a range of emergency, surgical, medical and general healthcare services, including maternity, palliative care, mental health, drug and alcohol, residential care, community health and state-wide specialist services to people and communities that are diverse in culture, age, socio-economic status, population and healthcare needs.

About the role

Eastern Health is offering you the opportunity to undertake a twelve month allied health transition to mental health practice learning program. This is an excellent opportunity to contribute to enhanced mental health services for Adults & Older Adults with serious mental health issues and their families. On a day-to-day basis, this role will work within a supportive multidisciplinary team to deliver both individualised and group interventions to support recovery, which may include such interventions as promotion of physical exercise and activity, falls assessment and prevention and pain management.

In combination with the twelve month program, this opportunity will be well-supported clinically and professionally through clinical supervision with a Grade 4 Physiotherapy Mental Health Clinical Educator, and will be connected to the physiotherapy Aged & Complex Care clinical stream, offering opportunity for involvement in professional development, service development and research.

The learning and teaching directorate and the mental health program will work in partnership to deliver this highly-regarded transition to practice program based on the best available evidence and sector wide consultation for allied health mental health learning programs.

Benefits of the program include:

• Placement in a supportive team within the Adult & Older Adult Mental Health Program.
• Support from Physiotherapists on the same site and a discipline specific educator to facilitate your learning and development.
• Permanent employment at Eastern Health in the Mental Health Program on completion of the 12-month transition program.

The structured learning program incorporates:

• A focus on utilising the knowledge, skills and abilities that you bring from your existing experience in other areas of Physiotherapy.
• A structured learning framework including a comprehensive learning plan, key competencies to work towards, protected learning time and professional development targeted to allied health clinicians transitioning to mental health practice.
• Exposure to diverse areas of mental health practice via discovery days in other parts of the mental health program.
• 10 days of professional development leave.
• Regular individual and group supervision.

About you

To be successful in this role you should possess the following:

Essential

• Recognised tertiary qualification in Physiotherapy
• Current registration with AHPRA
• Eligibility for practicing membership of the Australian Physiotherapy Association

Experience, knowledge & skills

• Relevant theoretical knowledge, experience and skills in the provision of evidence based physiotherapy assessment, intervention and treatment.
• Demonstrated experience in managing a complex caseload and comprehensive discharge planning using a client-centred approach.
• Knowledge of the Mental Health Act and other relevant legislation, policies, plans and strategic directions of public mental health services.
• Demonstrated experience promoting self-management of consumers’ physical health.
• A commitment to working with consumers from a wide range of cultural and social backgrounds and to providing services that are family and gender sensitive.
• Proven ability and commitment to work collaboratively with consumers, carers, the multidisciplinary team and external agencies.
• Commitment to supervised and reflective practice, lifelong learning and further development.
• Computer literacy and embracing of health technologies and informatics.
• High level of self-awareness and emotional intelligence.
• Demonstrated high level inter personal skills with consumers, their families and all health care professionals including effective conflict resolution and negotiation.

Desirable

• Broad clinical experience across the continuum of care in a large health service.
• Hold a current Victorian driver’s licence.
• Knowledge of the mental health sector, including roles and workings of mental health teams and relevant community resources and services to support people with mental illness.
• Understanding of, and/or experience in delivering, recovery oriented mental health practice.
• Demonstrated ability to skillfully engage consumers in the development and implementation of individualised plans designed to promote, foster and sustain personal recovery.
• Understanding of, and/or experience in delivering trauma informed care.

Please include a cover letter with your application addressing the key selection criteria.

Please refer to the attached position description for further details of the role.

Vaccination against infectious disease is a mandatory requirement of this role. An offer of employment is conditional on you providing evidence that you are currently vaccinated against COVID-19 with booster & Influenza, prior to commencing employment.

What we offer

Eastern Health offers a variety of fantastic Employee Benefits, view the extensive rangehere!

• Diverse and engaging career opportunities
• Friendly & supportiveteam
• Flexible working hours
• Salary packaging options
• Career progression in our teaching hospitals

Next Steps

If you believe you have the ability to make a difference in this rewarding industry,apply today!

Please note:

• All applications must be submitted online via E-Mercury
• All appointments are made subject to a satisfactory Fit2Work Check, where preferred candidates will be required to complete a Criminal History Check at the expense of Eastern Health.
• You must have Australian work rights to apply for this position.
• Recruitment agency applications will not be accepted.

Eastern Health is a child safe organisation, committed to promoting the wellbeing and cultural safety of Aboriginal children, children with disabilities and all children in their diversity.

Eastern Health is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment that welcomes and values all people. We recognise that diversity is essential in ensuring Eastern Health provides the best service to its consumers.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, women, those from the LGBTIQ+ community, people living with disability and those from a culturally and linguistically diverse background, are strongly encouraged to apply. Those seeking support in submitting an application are welcome to contact the hiring manger listed or feel free to contact theTalent Acquisition team.

Values in Action: Respect for all | Safe always | Partnering in care | Learning and improving every day

**Please note applications will be screened upon receipt and advertising may close prior to the closing date.*