Mental Health Intake Clinician

Location: Maribyrnong Community Team/Saltwater Clinic 

Employment Type: Ongoing, Full-Time 

Salary: Level 3 – RPN3, OT2, SW2, P2 + Superannuation + Salary Packaging 

About the Role: 

Western Health’s Mental Health and Wellbeing Service is recruiting a Community Mental Health Intake clinician role.   

The intake clinician delivers recovery-oriented assessment, screening and brief intervention, reviews and monitors referrals, provides face to face assessment for walk ins, and liaises with external providers to ensure people are linked to the most appropriate service in a timely way. Intake is a fast-paced and dynamic function so clinicians require strong organisational skills and the ability to adapt quickly to changing priorities. 

The role involves both clinical and administrative components and requires clinicians to meet key performance indicators (KPIs) consistent with tertiary mental health services. The duty function sits within the intake team, and intake clinicians are required to cover duty responsibilities during periods of unplanned leave. 

Internal: 

• Community Team Manager 

• Community Team Leaders 

• Consultant Psychiatrists 

• Multidisciplinary Team 

• Administration staff 

• MH&W clinical programs 

External: 

• Centralised Triage  

• Non-Government agencies, drug and alcohol services and primary health providers. 

• General Practitioners 

• Private Psychiatrists and Psychologists  

• Primary health network and other stakeholders 

• AOD 

• Housing and homelessness services 

• Relationship services 

• Consumers 

• Family and carers 

About you:  

Essential  

You are a motivated and adaptable mental health clinician who is confident working in a fast-paced intake environment where priorities can shift quickly. You communicate clearly, think critically under pressure and bring a calm, recovery-focused approach to engaging consumers at their first point of contact with the service. 

You enjoy being part of a supportive multidisciplinary team while maintaining autonomy in your clinical decision making. You value reflective practice, are open to feedback and bring a compassionate, culturally responsive approach to care. 

Minimum 2 years’ experience providing mental health clinical services in a high-demand environment, ideally within community mental health or an intake/triage setting. 

• Experience working with diverse consumer groups and a range of mental health presentations.
• Knowledge of evidence-based assessment and intervention models for high and low prevalence mental illnesses.
• Understanding of the Recovery Framework and the Mental Health and Wellbeing Act 2022, including its application to everyday practice.
• Demonstrated ability to build rapport, engage consumers and carers, and facilitate appropriate referrals or care pathways.
• Strong documentation and communication skills, with the ability to summarise clinical information clearly and concisely. 

Formal Qualifications 

Occupational Therapists: 

• Registration under the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation National Law Act (2009) with the Occupational Therapy Board of Australia. 

• An approved Degree from a recognised school of Occupational Therapy or other qualifications approved for eligibility for membership of the Australian Association of Occupational Therapy (Vic.).  

Psychologists: 

• Registration as a Psychologist under the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation National Law Act (2009) with practice endorsement as a Clinical, Forensic or Clinical Neuro Psychologist with the Psychology Board of Australia (or eligibility to enter a registrar program as a clinical, forensic or clinical neuro psychologist with the Psychology Board of Australia where relevant). 

Registered Psychiatric Nurses:  

• Registration as a registered nurse under the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation National Law Act (2009) with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia.  

• Bachelor Degree in Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing or equivalent, or, Bachelor Degree in Nursing plus a Postgraduate qualification in Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing.  

Social Workers: 

• An approved degree in Social Work and eligibility for membership of the Australian Association of Social Workers.  

Click here for the Position Description.

About Western Health 

Western Health is one of the largest healthcare providers in Victoria, caring for a vibrant, diverse and rapidly growing community of one million people in Melbourne’s western suburbs.  

With more than 13,000 staff, Western Health delivers 800,000+ occasions of care every year, providing high-quality, person-centred care across every life stage. 

We provide a combination of hospital, community-based, at-home and in-reach services to aged, adult and paediatric patients and newborn babies. Specialties include oncology, renal, mental health, women’s health and maternity, chronic diseases, geriatrics and cardiology. 

We have remarkable strengths in chronic disease, complex care and developing innovative and sustainable healthcare solutions. Our experience at the coalface of healthcare delivery for some of Australia’s most culturally and socioeconomically diverse and vulnerable populations provides us with unique insights into the most pressing health challenges. 

Western Health operates four acute public hospitals: Sunshine Hospital (including Joan Kirner Women’s and Children’s), Footscray Hospital, Williamstown Hospital and Bacchus Marsh Hospital. We also operate Sunbury Community Hospital, Sunshine Mental Health and Wellbeing Centre, Melton Health and Community Services, Bacchus Marsh Community Health Centre, Caroline Springs Community Health Centre and Grant Lodge Residential Aged Care in Bacchus Marsh. Western Health also provides the primary healthcare service at the Dame Phyllis Frost Centre, a women’s prison located in Ravenhall. 

Why join us?  

Compensation and benefits  

• Competitive salary packages aligned with market standards.  

• Health and wellbeing programs, including flexible work arrangements.  

• Scholarships and grants to support your continuous learning journey.  

Learning and development opportunities  

• Access the Western Health Learning Academy (WHA) for personalised learning pathways.  

• Professional growth programs, including postgraduate studies and clinical education.  

• Mentorship and career support.  

Community impact and inclusion  

• Make a meaningful difference in patients’ lives through compassionate care.  

• Join a workforce that champions diversity and inclusion.  

• Engage in community wellbeing initiatives and groundbreaking healthcare research.  

Organisational culture and environment  

• Thrive in a collaborative, compassionate and innovative team environment.  

• Be part of a culture that celebrates continuous improvement and excellence in healthcare.  

Ready to make an impact?  

If you’re a values-driven leader passionate about delivering compassionate, recovery-oriented care and shaping innovative models of mental health treatment, we’d love to hear from you. Simply click “Apply” and follow the prompts to submit your application.  

If you are currently employed at Western Health, please ensure you sign in through the 'Employee Login' via the external Careers Page or access the Careers Page via the intranet before applying.   

Closing date: 11:59pm on 10 July 2026.

Enquiries: For further information about this role, contact  Program Manager, Judy Magri on (03) 7071 8700.  

Western Health is an equal opportunity employer committed to attracting and retaining diversity in our workforce. We encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.