AddressClinical Care Coordinators (APS 6) work within the Open Arms Branch of the Department of Veterans' Affairs (DVA), and provide short-term, goal-oriented, clinical case management intervention to clients who present with unmet health and psychosocial needs that impact on their ability to access and/or meaningfully engage in mental health care. With a primary focus on promoting client engagement with mental health care, Clinical Care Coordinators, assist clients in identifying appropriate supports, reduce barriers to access, and address health and psychosocial factors likely to negatively impact on engagement in care, or lead to significant deterioration in mental health if left unaddressed.
Reporting to the Assistant Director, the position incorporates the development and maintenance of internal relationships within Open Arms, as well as external relationships with key community services stakeholders, through the provision of direct evidence informed support to individuals and/or their families with complex needs.
Clinical Care Coordination is delivered one-to-one with a strong emphasis on worker-client alliance, and the involvement of family and caregivers as indicated and permitted by the client. Clinical Care Coordination supports clients with complex case management and employs elements of focused psychological strategies which include psychoeducation, distress tolerance, problem-solving, and/or motivational interviewing to facilitate progress towards case management goals.
The key duties of the position include
- Provide high quality, evidence informed clinical services including risk management, brief intervention, care coordination, and referral to a caseload of clients with identified complex and/or multiple needs.
- Using the Client Management System, maintain confidential files for each client that include session progress notes, care plans, risk assessment, and additional client interactions.
- Clinical Care Coordinator Liaise and form partnerships with DVA, the Australian Defence Force, other government departments, ex-service organisations, community based mental health and welfare agencies, involved in meeting the identified needs of veterans and families communities. This includes the development of a shared knowledge base that helps inform appropriate practice and referral pathways for service access.
- Work systemically with key internal and external stakeholders to influence a recovery approach to service delivery within a stepped care model for vulnerable or at risk veteran and defence force communities and families, in accordance with Open Arms policy and procedures. Participate in internal and external meetings as directed.
- Schedule and attend Continuing Professional Development (CPD) activities, including clinical supervision, to maintain professional registration.
- Adhere to relevant legislation, ethical guidelines and policies pertaining to best practice client care.
- Liaise and attend regular meetings with the Assistant Director and other Clinical Care Coordinators to review client cases, including those that may require extensions to episodes of care.
- Apply the principles of cooperative and safe working practices consistent with APS Values and the Department's mission, vision, approach and values.
- Engage in other clinical tasks as directed by the Assistant Director based on organisational need. These may include:
- Co-facilitate group treatment and psychoeducation programs on a range of topics alongside other Open Arms staff or external clinicians.
- Participate in community development and service promotion activities.
- Participate in Open Arms program evaluation and research activities, contributing to project management activities that implement strategic directions and quality improvement recommendations, and provide feedback for ongoing development of clinical policies and procedures.
- Facilitate the delivery of Open Arms counselling and other programs to veterans and families by applying quality assurance principles and procedures to ensure the clinical practice, and reporting of Outreach Program Clinicians (OPCs) meet contractual requirements.
- Collaboratively manage the regional allocation queue through liaison and consultation with Open Arms Clinicians, OPCs and administrative staff.
- Conduct regional intake assessments to inform allocation to appropriate services.
