Considering a career in mental health nursing but don’t know how to start?

Come and join our transition to mental health nursing program at Barwon Health’s
Mental Health, Drugs and Alcohol Service!

We are seeking Registered Nurses who have a passion for working with people with a lived experience of mental illness and their loved ones.

Join our 2024 intake of Transition to Mental Health Nurses.

About Barwon Health

Guided by our values, Barwon Health is Victoria's largest regional health care service and is also the largest employer in the Geelong and surf coast region, employing over 8700 staff. Barwon Health’s core facilities include the renowned University Hospital Geelong precinct in central Geelong, the McKellar Centre precinct in North Geelong, the innovative Sunrise Centre,  Barwon Health North a vital services that includes child and family health support, renal dialysis, medical imaging, and urgent care. Four Aged care centres spanning the Region, Mental Health Services that are delivered through a number of programs across the Geelong and Barwon South West region. Community Health and Dental service and world renowned Research that that advances health and wellbeing for all.  Explore all of our comprehensive services here.

About the service

Barwon Health's Mental Health, Drugs and Alcohol Services (MHDAS) are internationally recognised for its innovative clinical programs and integrated models of practice that are client centred, accessible and family inclusive. We are fortunate to enjoy excellent internal relationships and have developed excellent partnerships with the local community that provide for seamless integrated care for our clients.

Swanston Centre (SCA)

The Swanston Centre Acute Unit is a 32 bed acute psychiatric admission unit providing Recovery Orientated care delivery for people aged 18 and over, experiencing the effects of major mental illness/distress. SCA has recently undergone extensive changes with refurbishment to accommodate a new high care area, women’s wing and therapy room that transition nurses will be able to work in.

Aged Psychiatric Continuing Care Service

This service is for people over 65 years with existing complex mental illness, those who develop a mental illness later in life and those who have severe behavioural problems associated with dementia. Services include assessment and intervention, case management, outreach and secondary consultation. Those who require additional services to avoid a potential hospital admission may, after discussion with the client and family, be offered an intensive community treatment program.

Jigsaw Continuing Care Service

The Jigsaw youth mental health and drug and alcohol service provide specialist service to young people (16-25yo) and their families in the region. The service includes early intervention for young people with, or at risk of developing, a serious mental health disorder and treatment services for young people with drug and alcohol and/or high prevalence disorders. Jigsaw clinicians provide various treatments for young people including; case management interventions such as service linkages and housing supports, family consultations, multi-family support groups for young people with psychosis, therapeutic interventions, etc. 

About the roles

Two positions are available for Registered Nurses to join the Transition to Mental Health Program Nurses (TTMHPNs). You will be employed in a 12-month capacity rotating through 2 Mental Health Drug and Alcohol Services (MHDAS) clinical sites and join a study program with the MHDAS Education Team. TTMHPNs participate in multiple study days with the Entry to Practice Program and complete academic tasks to complement their learning and professional development. Successful completion of the program affords graduates to receive recognition for prior learning into a (Post) Graduate Diploma of Mental Health Nursing.

Highlights of the role include:

• A 12 month learning position as a Registered Nurse with 2 x 6 month rotations within the Swanston Centre Acute Inpatient Unit, Jigsaw Youth Continuing Care Services or the Aged Psychiatry Continuing Care Service (Colac).
• Support from the Entry to Practice Program to assist you with clinical and academic tasks which lead to recognition of prior learning into a Graduate Diploma of Mental Health Nursing (Post-Graduate).
• Years of experience may be considered for higher classification/pay grade in accordance with RPN 2 in the mental health EBA.
• Working in a recovery oriented service.
• A fun and supported workplace that supports your learning and professional development.

What we offer

• Flexible working arrangements
• Professional development
• Option to purchase additional leave and take leave without pay
• Access to 24/7 employee wellness facility
• Doorstep to the Great Ocean Road, Bellarine Peninsula and the Surf Coast
• Attractive salary packaging benefits! Living Expenses capped at $9,010 and includes repayments on mortgages, credit cards, personal loans and rental payments / Meal Entertainment & Accommodation capped at $2,650 and includes food and drink consumed in a social or entertainment settings and some accommodation expenditure

Diversity and Inclusion

At Barwon Health we are committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce where we value each person’s uniqueness. We embrace diverse life experiences and the perspectives of our people, whilst providing high-quality health care to all members of our community, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, religion, cultural background, disability, or sexual orientation.

At Barwon Health we are committed to providing positive employment opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and welcome employment applications from candidates of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander background.

We at Barwon Health strongly encourage people with disability and diverse backgrounds to apply for our roles.

We are strongly committed to the safety and wellbeing of all children and young people. Click here for further information on the Victorian Government’s Child Safe Standards: About Child Safe Standards | Victorian Government (www.vic.gov.au)

We are also proud to be Totally Smoke Free.

If we can assist you with any reasonable adjustments in order to submit your application for this role, Please contact the Mental Health recruitment team via email at mentalhealth.recruitment@barwonhealth.org.au noting your preferred method of communication and contact details and a member of the team will be in touch.

This role must be fully vaccinated for Covid -19 and influenza and meet the requirements of the Barwon Health immunisation policy.