Clinical Partnerships Project Officer – hYEPP headspace Penrith

•Base salary + superannuation + salary packaging benefits
•Part time position available at headspace Penrith

About Us

headspace is Australia’s National Youth Mental Health Foundation. headspace aims to reduce the burden of disease in young people aged 12-25 years caused by mental health and related substance use disorders through early identification and effective, evidence-based intervention. Services are delivered by primary care and specialist providers working together within a unified, accessible and integrated service framework. headspace provides young people with support and information for a broad range of concerns, including Mental health, Physical/sexual health, Alcohol and Other drugs, educational and vocational assistance and Support for families and carers.

headspace Castle Hill offers services to young people through a Primary Care model, while headspace Mount Druitt, Parramatta and Penrith also deliver the headspace Youth Early Psychosis Program (hYEPP). The headspace Primary Care program offers an “open door”, easily accessible, early intervention service for young people wishing to obtain support for mental health or substance use issues. The hYEPP program is a specialist service which focuses on providing comprehensive services to support young people who are at risk of developing a psychotic illness, or those who have experienced a first episode of psychosis.

Purpose of the position

The hYEPP service aims to provide early intervention services to young people with emerging serious mental illness, and their families, that are youth-friendly, accessible, consistent and seamless, which involves ongoing care and support. The service will assist young people aged 12 to 25 who are experiencing a first psychotic episode or who meet criteria that indicate they are at ultra-high risk of developing a psychotic disorder. Such assistance will be in the form of early identification and effective, evidence-based interventions delivered by primary care and specialist providers working together within a collaborative, accessible and integrated service framework.

The Clinical Partnerships Manager will provide clinical leadership over the clinical pathway development, problem solving, transfers of care. The incumbent will be responsible for the development and maintenance of all internal and external clinical pathways to ensure the smooth and seamless delivery of care.

These relationships will include liaison and co-ordination with other tertiary health care providers, Consultant Psychiatrists, GPs, Local Health Districts, Youth Early Psychosis Program and headspace services.

Clinical Partnerships Manager will work across the Nepean/ Blue Mountains area, working closely with local General Practitioners, the NBMLHD, and community services to increase awareness of the hYEPP model and criteria with the aim of increasing referrals and proving seamless access to hYEPP.

The overall aims of the Clinical Partnerships role is:
•Provide liaison and co-ordination with other health care providers, and medical professionals.
•Introduce the hYEPP service to local hospitals and inpatient units, organise smooth transition of care procedures, present on the hYEPP service to hospital staff.
•Liaise with other service providers to ensure smooth transfer of client care if a young person temporarily or permanently moves out-of-area.
•Participate in the development of an operational manual that contains clinical pathways, practice guidelines, care maps, escalation plans and clinical documentation related to service delivery within the program
•Ensure that the developed clinical documentation represents efficient and seamless transfers of care between internal and external stakeholders.
•Participate in relevant clinical meetings, such as clinical reviews, team handovers, and partnership meetings as required.
•Contribute to the development and review of documents such as clinical governance, care pathways, operational procedures as required.
•Any other duties as required by the service relevant to this role.

Selection Criteria

Candidates must meet the following selection criteria. Please address each of these in written form:
•Current qualifications as a Psychologist, Clinical Psychologist, Social Worker, Occupational Therapist or Nurse and current full registration with AHPRA or eligibility for registration with AASW
•Substantial experience (minimum 3 years) in clinical practice within the mental health field, preferably with young people experiencing early psychosis or a first episode psychosis, and their families
•A high level of interpersonal and communication skills (written and verbal), problem solving and negotiation skills and demonstrated ability to consult, liaise and negotiate with team members, other professionals and external agencies
•Demonstrated ability to develop effective working partnerships with a range of personnel and services and to promote collaborative practice
•Sound knowledge and understanding of early psychosis rationale and principles including the developmental stages of young people and the effect that a first episode of psychosis has on development
•Demonstrated ability to be self-motivated and function autonomously while being able to effectively work in a multidisciplinary team
•Ability to maintain and develop the culture, philosophy, standards, guidelines and policies of headspace
•Knowledge of relevant legislation such as the Mental Health Act and the Children (2007) and Young Persons (Care and Protection) Act (1998) and other relevant legislation
•Ability to use relevant Information Technology and electronic recording systems and data management tools
•Demonstrated commitment to clinical supervision, education, training and ongoing professional development and to contribute to clinical staff learning.
•Current NSW Drivers Licence