Clinical Nurse Specialist (531820)

Applications must be submitted by Sunday 30 August, 2026 11:55 PM AEST.

Award/Classification: Nurses and Midwives (Tasmanian State Service) Award, Registered Nurse, Grade 5 $109,767 to $115,813 pro rata, per annum.

Employment type: Fixed-term, full-time.

Region: North West.

Location: Make a real difference for older Tasmanians. Join a specialist mental health team delivering expert dementia and mental health care, helping people stay well and independent.

Who We Are: The Older Persons Mental Health Service (OPMHS) North Community Team is a specialised multidisciplinary service supporting older Tasmanians to maintain their mental health, wellbeing, independence, and quality of life within their own homes and communities. As part of Tasmania's statewide Older Persons Mental Health Service, we provide assessment, treatment, consultation, and support for people experiencing mental illness, behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia, neurocognitive disorders, Huntington's Disease, and complex mental health needs associated with ageing.

Our team includes nursing, psychiatry, psychology, social work, occupational therapy, and allied health professionals who work collaboratively with consumers, families, carers, general practitioners, residential aged care providers, hospitals, and community services across the North West region.

What We Do: We deliver specialised mental health care and support through:

• Comprehensive mental health assessments for older adults.
• Treatment and recovery-focused interventions for a range of mental health conditions.
• Assessment and management of behavioural and psychological symptoms associated with dementia and other neurocognitive disorders.
• Specialist consultation and support to residential aged care facilities, hospitals, primary care providers, and community services.
• Care coordination and collaborative care planning with consumers, families, carers, and service partners.
• Short-term therapeutic interventions, psychoeducation, and wellbeing support.
• Early intervention and relapse prevention strategies aimed at maintaining independence and reducing hospital admissions.
• Support for transitions between hospital, residential care, and community settings.

We work with older Tasmanians aged 65 years and over, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 50 years and over, who are experiencing complex mental health challenges. Our focus is on delivering person-centred, recovery-oriented care that enables people to remain connected to their families, communities, and the things that matter most to them.

Our Values and Culture: At OPMHS, we live by the One Health CARE values: Compassion, Accountability, Respect, and Excellence. We also embrace:

• Flexibility and inclusivity.
• Transparency and teamwork.
• Holistic and trauma-informed care.
• Collaboration with families, carers, and community partners.

We foster a welcoming, non-clinical environment where music, nature, and creativity are part of everyday life. Staff are encouraged to personalise spaces, build meaningful relationships, and support consumers with empathy and respect.

To further enrich our culture, we actively implement the My Home Life program—an evidence-based approach that promotes quality of life for people living and working in care settings.

Why Work with Us? As a team, we offer:

• A deeply supportive and inclusive workplace.
• Structured supervision, mentoring, and professional development.
• Opportunities to specialise in dementia care, trauma-informed practice, and aged mental health.
• A vibrant, multidisciplinary team culture.
• A chance to make a real difference in the lives of older Tasmanians.

What We Look For: We seek individuals who:

• Are compassionate, curious, and collaborative.
• Value dignity, autonomy, and person-centred care.
• Are committed to continuous learning and reflective practice.
• Can work respectfully with families, carers, and diverse communities.
• Hold relevant qualifications and registration (e.g., AHPRA, NMBA).

The Role: The Clinical Nurse Specialist – Rapid Access Service (RAS) plays a pivotal role within the Older Persons Mental Health Service, providing advanced specialist nursing assessment, intervention, and consultation for older people experiencing complex mental health concerns, behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia, and acute changes in clinical presentation.

Working as part of a multidisciplinary team, the CNS contributes to timely assessment, triage, short-term intervention, and care coordination to support older Tasmanians to remain safely in their usual place of residence and reduce avoidable hospital presentations and admissions.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced mental health nurse who is passionate about older persons' mental health and dementia care. The CNS provides expert clinical advice and support to healthcare professionals, contributes to service development and quality improvement activities, and helps build capability across the aged care and health sectors through education, consultation, and collaborative care planning.

Why Tasmania: Tasmania, Australia's only island state, offers unparalleled natural beauty and a luxurious lifestyle. Pursuing your health career in Tasmania's public health system means building strong connections with colleagues and patients. It also means embracing a lifestyle where you can enjoy extraordinary experiences outside of work while making a significant impact on the community during work.

Details of appointment: Fixed term, full time, day worker position, working up to 76 hours per fortnight, commencing as soon as possible until 30 June 2027.

Applicants should note that, for a period of twelve months from the date of publication, this selection process may be used to fill subsequent or similar full time, part time, and casual vacancies.

Salary range is in accordance with Nurses and Midwives (Tasmania State Service) Agreement 2023. In addition, the following allowances calculated on the salaried incremental point may be available: Post Graduate Allowance of up to 10% based on qualification type.

Benefits available to eligible candidates include travel and relocation assistance support available up to $10,000 for appointees from interstate, a range of leave entitlements, including study leave and Professional Development Support, and access to fitness facilities across Tasmania.

Successful applicants will be required to meet the essential criteria: Registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia as a Registered Nurse and hold a current Drivers Licence.

Applicants should note that extensive, relevant psychiatric nursing experience and/or credentialing as a Mental Health Nurse by the Australian and New Zealand College of Mental Health Nurses Inc. or equivalent is desirable.

Respecting diversity is the foundation of everything that Department of Health do. This allows us to instil trust and collaborate through honest and fair communication and helps cultivate an environment of growth and innovation. We strongly encourage applicants from key communities including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, LGBTIQA+ people, and people living with disabilities.