Mental Health Clinician - CAMHS Youth Mental Health Initiative - Identified
Help build the future of youth mental health - providing specialist, culturally safe care where young people need it most.
Remuneration: $113,617 - $138,482 per annum (dependent on qualifications) + superannuation + salary packaging
Location: Taree | Biripi Country
Employment Type: Temporary Full Time - Until June 2027
Position Classification: Clinical Nurse Specialist Grade 2, Clinical Psychologist, Counsellor Level 3, Occupational Therapist Level 3, Social Worker Level 3
Requisition ID: REQ669261
Applications Close: Monday 13th July 2026
This is a position identified for Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people on the basis of a genuine occupational qualification under section 14(d) of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1977. Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander applicants must demonstrate Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander status in addition to addressing the selection criteria.
About the Role
Are you passionate about improving mental health outcomes for young people and interested in helping establish an innovative new service? The Youth Mental Health (YMH) Initiative offers a unique opportunity to be part of a new model of care designed to improve access to specialist mental health support for young people aged 12-25 years who are accessing headspace services and experiencing severe and complex mental health needs. As one of the first clinicians appointed to this initiative, you will play a key role in shaping the service and strengthening pathways between headspace and specialist mental health services across Hunter New England.
In this role, you will provide comprehensive mental health assessment, therapeutic intervention, care planning, and recovery-focused support to young people with severe and complex mental health concerns, as well as their families, carers, and support networks.
Working within a multidisciplinary team, you will collaborate closely with young people, families, community stakeholders, primary care providers, and the Primary Health Network to deliver coordinated and integrated care. Partnering directly with headspace services, you will support young people through direct clinical care while also providing consultation, guidance, and specialist expertise to headspace staff to enhance service delivery and mental health pathways. A unique feature of this role is the opportunity to be based within headspace centres while remaining connected to the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) network. This provides access to strong clinical governance, supervision, professional development opportunities, and specialist mental health expertise while contributing to an innovative, youth-focused service model.
Central to the role is a commitment to delivering culturally safe, trauma-informed, and person-centred care. You will help create welcoming and inclusive environments where young people and families from diverse backgrounds feel respected, supported, and empowered throughout their mental health journey.
About You
You are an experienced and compassionate mental health professional with a strong interest in supporting young people experiencing severe and complex mental health concerns. You have experience working with children, adolescents, young adults, and their families in mental health, community, or primary care settings and understand the importance of collaborative, recovery-oriented practice.
You are committed to delivering culturally safe care, building strong partnerships, and improving access to quality mental health services for young people. You are also motivated by opportunities to contribute to service development and help shape innovative models of care that make a lasting difference in the community.
Why Join Us?
- Be part of a new and innovative youth mental health initiative.
- Help establish and shape a service from its inception.
- Work in partnership with headspace services to improve care pathways for young people with complex mental health needs.
- Access clinical governance, supervision, and professional development through the CAMHS network.
- Join a supportive multidisciplinary team focused on collaboration and innovation.
- Deliver culturally safe, trauma-informed, and person-centred care.
- Make a meaningful impact on the lives of young people, families, and communities across Hunter New England.
- ADO's each month (for full time employees)
- Salary packaging options
- Fitness Passport
Requirements:
- Must hold a qualification in one of the following: Occupational Therapy, Clin Psychology/Clin Psych in Training, Nursing, Social Work, Counsellor (Degree in Bachelor of Health Science Mental Health, Djirruwang Program), which provides eligibility or membership of the relevant professional association general registration through the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency.
- For a CNS2: Relevant post-registration qualifications and at least 3 years' experience working in the clinical area of their specified post-graduate qualification, or such other qualifications or equivalent experience deemed appropriate by the service. For Allied Health, a minimum of 3 years full-time equivalent experience working in a relevant clinical setting.
Eligibility to drive in NSW and interstate and the willingness to travel in the course of employment.
Additional Information:
- 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.
- An eligibility list will be created for future temporary full or part time vacancies.
- This position is full time; however, part time/job share arrangements may also be considered.
- We are unable to accommodate visa sponsorship for applicants requiring a visa for this position.
How to apply:
Click apply online, submit your information and resume, and address the criteria listed below providing examples that demonstrate your ability.
- Proven ability to Closing the Gap in mental health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples by demonstrating and implementing strategies to increase Aboriginal participation in decision making processes, delivering culturally respectful services, providing culturally safe environments and increasing cultural competency of staff.
- Significant experience and knowledge in working with children and or young people with mental health concerns and their families and supporting persons.
- Evidence of ability to build and maintain cooperative professional and therapeutic relationships with children/ young people and their parents /guardians and key stakeholders through the application of well- developed interpersonal and conflict resolution skills.
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 Julie Walter 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.
