Triage Clinician

Austin Health is the major provider of tertiary health services, health professional education and research across 3 campuses in the northeast of Melbourne and state-wide. Austin Health is world-renowned for its research and specialist work in cancer, liver transplantation, spinal cord injuries, neurology, endocrinology, mental health and rehabilitation.

An exciting opportunity currently exists for an enthusiastic and highly experienced Child and Youth Intake Clinicain to join our Under 18 Triage Team on a casual basis.

Essential Knowledge and skills:

• Relevant professional qualification in a health related discipline (social work, occupational therapy, psychology or nursing) with current Registration with Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) where applicable.
• Nurses must have a Post-Graduate Qualification in Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing or equivalent.
• At least 5 years clinical experience in Child and Youth Mental Health or related fields, and particular experience and skills in the practice of community-oriented service delivery.
• Specific training and developed skills in engagement and risk assessment in a telephone triage context, and demonstrated capacity to manage high levels of distress and anxiety in referrers and families whilst providing quality clinical intervention.
• A demonstrated broad range of counselling and clinical skills, and the capacity to practice these both on the telephone and in direct face-to-face practice with clients and their families.
• Excellent skills in both verbal inter-personal communication and written communication.
• Capacity to work within a multi-disciplinary team.
• Ability to work well under supervision, and also autonomously.
• Computer skills commensurate with maintaining a referral and resource database plus the ability to type in real life as referrals are being made.
• Demonstrated ability to provide accurate, accessible and timely written records of clinical work.

Purpose and Accountabilities

Role Specific:

• Display a clear understanding of the principle of recovery orientated practice and its implementation within a clinical setting.
• Receive referral information from clients, families and referring agents by telephone.
• Perform a triage function on the basis of referral information, leading to allocation of clients to mental health clinical teams or re-referral to appropriate community resources.
• Conduct initial face-to-face assessments for clients requiring a face-to-face review. To make an appropriate clinical disposition and organise a timely clinical service.
• Offer brief intervention, up to 4 sessions, for appropriate clients with a view to referring out to community supports.
• Ensure screening registrations of all new referrals are completed according to data recording requirements, providing accurate, accessible and timely written records of clinical work, as required in mental health standards of documentation.
• Perform organizational, typing, data entry and written documentation duties as required.
• Assist in the provision of information to clinical and managerial staff concerning referral patterns and appropriate community resources.
• Assist in community liaison and consultation concerning access to mental health services.
• Work well under the leadership of the Child and Youth Intake Coordinator, and/or Triage Assessment and Planning (TAPS) Divisional Manager.
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