Mental Health Clinician, Acute Care Team

The SESLHD Mental Health Service is a specialised clinical service, providing care to a local population of over 930,000 residents in the Sydney metropolitan area. We provide care within both hospital and community settings to support people living with mental illness at times when acute intervention is needed, or to remain well in their community and lead their own recovery.

An exciting opportunity exists to work as part of the Acute Care Mental Health Team at Sutherland Mental Health Service. The team provides acute care and crisis services to mental health clients in the Sutherland catchment area, or who present to the emergency department of Sutherland Hospital. The role is a challenging one and ideal for someone who is looking at developing their skills and experience and making a positive difference in peoples’ lives.

This position will plan, coordinate and deliver high quality acute mental health care to consumers consistent with South Eastern Sydney Local Health District (SESLHD) policies, procedures and standards. The hours of work involve a 7 day rotating roster with morning and afternoon shifts. The role involves a range of specialist mental health interventions within a multidisciplinary team including triage, comprehensive assessments, risk assessments, clinical formulation, management of risks and safety planning, brief psycho-education and close liaison with all relevant stakeholders as part of collaborative care and discharge planning.

This part-time opportunity is designed to support a strong work-life balance, with flexible working arrangements, reduced hours, and the ability to structure your week around personal commitments. Part-time candidates will benefit from a manageable caseload, supportive supervision, and a collaborative multidisciplinary environment that prioritises both clinician wellbeing and high-quality care. Ongoing professional development and career growth opportunities are also available to support your long-term goals in mental health practice.

If you are an overseas qualified Social Worker, you are required to have your qualifications assessed by the AASW to meet the position criteria.

Where you'll be working: Acute Care Team, Sutherland Community Mental Health, based at The Sutherland Hospital campus, Caringbah.

Additional Benefits

• Financial benefits - Salary packaging options - Up to $9K for living expenses, $2.6K meal & entertainment, and Novated Leasing.
• Work-life balance - Up to 12 allocated days off each year (for full-time employees) in addition to annual leave.
• Professional growth - Learning and development opportunities, including in-house training with RTO My Health Learning.
• Health & Wellbeing - Discounted gym memberships with a Fitness Passport and Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for employees and family members.
• Career development - Opportunity to apply for Continuing Education allowance based on tertiary qualifications attained where applicable and to obtain personal regrade to Clinical Nurse Specialist Grade 1 status where relevant (Nursing only).

Selection Criteria

• Social Worker or Occupational Therapist qualifications in accordance with Schedule C of the NSW Health Service Health Professionals (State) Award, current full registration with AHPRA and/or eligibility for membership of the Australian Association of Social Workers, or other qualification deemed equivalent by the employer.
• Registered Nurse with current registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia.
• Psychologist with a four year degree in psychology and registration with the Psychology Board of Australia (PsyBA).
• Demonstrated core competency skills in Mental Health interventions in the Community and experience in providing comprehensive mental health assessments, risk assessment, safety planning and the provision of collaborative care and discharge planning.
• Demonstrated high level written and verbal communication skills, interpersonal skills, and the ability to proactively engage with patients/clients to enhance service delivery.
• Demonstrated experience working with people with an acute mental illness or disorder.
• Demonstrated experience working as part of a multi-disciplinary team and to exercise independent professional judgement on routine matters.
• Demonstrated computer skills and the capacity to use health information systems.
• Understanding and knowledge of mental health principles of consumer focused and strengths based practices in acute community mental health setting.
• Current drivers licence (or a willingness to travel in accordance with the demands of the position).

For more information we encourage you to contact Duncan Howard on [contact details]. Interviews are expected to be held between 23 November 2026 and 27 November 2026. Once you apply, we’ll keep you up to date on how your application is progressing. We encourage applications from people who identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander.

Our values and commitment to diversity

Our CORE Values are Collaboration, Openness, Respect and Empowerment and have been created by employees for employees and help define how we work and to inspire positive interactions in the workplace. We embrace diversity as our strength and are committed to maintaining an inclusive and collaborative work environment. Our workplaces are welcoming and safe for all our employees, irrespective of their unique characteristic including age, ethnicity, cultural or spiritual background, gender identity, disability, education and social-economic status.

Reasonable Adjustments

NSW Health recognises everyone is unique, and that you may require some adjustments to ensure you have the best opportunity to apply. If we can make some adjustments to the NSW Health recruitment/interview process, then please email [contact details] and let us know. Adjustments may include but are not limited to, physical requirements, interview setups and specific interview availability times where required.

Information For Applicants

An eligibility list may be created for future vacancies. 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. Applicants will be assessed against the essential requirements and selection criteria contained within the position description. Recommended applicants will be reviewed for compliance with NSW Health policy directive Occupational Assessment, Screening and Vaccination Against Specific Diseases for all positions prior to offer.

We do have an Aboriginal Workforce Team that can also provide support and for additional information please visit our Stepping Up Website.