Paid Mental Health Nursing Cadetship in Melbourne

A challenging and rewarding work environment in the heart of vibrant Fitzroy with ongoing training and development opportunities. There are 6 positions available, with 30 shifts over a 12-month period from February 2027.

St Vincent's offers a unique and highly specialized paid Mental Health Cadetship Program encompassing adult and aged mental health, in acute and community settings. Mental Health Nursing Cadetships provide paid employment experience and professional support to students undertaking a Bachelor/Masters of Nursing degree. Cadets will undertake shifts at St Vincent’s Hospital for a total of 30 shifts over the year to enhance their skills and knowledge in mental health nursing, assisting with the successful completion of their studies. Cadets will work under the supervision of a Registered Nurse or Mental Health Clinician to observe and provide support across various clinical areas within a defined scope of practice.

Duties include (but are not limited to):

• Supporting consumers throughout their recovery journeys and working alongside the multidisciplinary team.
• Upholding a culture of hope by using optimistic language, supporting people, and celebrating consumer’s recovery efforts.
• Supporting consumers with available resources to achieve their recovery goals through education and support around coping strategies and symptom management.
• Challenging stigmatizing attitudes, discrimination, and social exclusion in line with the Recovery Model of Mental Health Care.
• Attendance of rostered shifts during the employment period.
• Ensuring that all care delivered is supervised by a Registered Nurse.
• Communicating effectively with supervising nurses about individual skills and learning needs.
• Ensuring practice remains within the defined scope of practice.

Scope of Practice includes:

• Assisting with Activities of Daily Living.
• Hygiene.
• Housekeeping.
• Therapeutic communication.
• Participating in consumer activities programs such as inpatient groups and consumer meetings.
• Participating in consumer assessment, care planning, and discharge planning.
• Supporting consumers with their recovery goals.
• Working alongside the multidisciplinary team.
• Developing knowledge of the roles of carer consultants, consumer consultants, and peer support workers.

Your Contribution:

• Evidence of enrolment in a full-time Bachelor or Masters of Nursing degree, completing your final year of study in 2027.
• Evidence of passing grades in all subjects completed thus far.
• Excellent communication skills and professionalism at all times.
• Current National criminal history check, or willingness to obtain.

What we offer:

• Salary Packaging – Increase your take-home pay!
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Ability to join Fitness Passport - Your pass to an extensive choice of fitness facilities.
• Staff Health Centre.
• Discounts and Promotions available through our Foundation.
• Career development & advancement encouraged.
• Culture of continuous improvement.
• Support from senior staff.

About St Vincent’s Mental Health:

St Vincent’s Mental Health (SVMH) provides high-quality, recovery-oriented services across an adult area mental health service for the inner city areas of Yarra and Boroondara. The service utilises the Strengths Model of recovery, embedded across all parts of the mental health service. The acute inpatient service also utilises the Safewards Model. St Vincent’s is committed to the ongoing development of a strong peer support workforce.

Working at St Vincent’s:

St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne (SVHM) is a leading teaching, research, and tertiary health service providing a diverse range of adult clinical services driven by values of Compassion, Justice, Integrity, and Excellence. St Vincent’s Mental Health is committed to recruiting and retaining high-quality staff, supporting them to maintain and develop their skills to provide excellent clinical care and meet their personal and career goals. The service has a strong education and research focus, with affiliations to several universities and educational institutions.

Application:

Please attach the following to your application:

• Resume and cover letter.
• Copies of 2 clinical placement reports (one being your most recent placement, and one being mental health).
• Certified copy of your academic transcript with a key.

Shortlisting for this position will commence immediately. We encourage you to apply promptly as the advertisement may close early should a suitable applicant be sourced. We encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and abilities. Inclusion is essential to our mission, and diversity reflects the community we serve.

SVHA has a duty of care under work health and safety legislation to eliminate and/or control the risk of transmission of vaccine-preventable diseases in healthcare settings. You may therefore be required to undergo mandatory immunisations/vaccinations (including flu vaccinations).

Closing Date: 3 November 2026 11:59pm

Reconciliation Action Plan:

At St Vincent's, we acknowledge the importance of creating a work environment that is welcoming, safe, equitable, and inclusive for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Employees. As part of our commitment to Reconciliation and Closing the Gap in employment-related outcomes, we encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.

For further information, visit about-us/reconciliation or contact us.