Clinical Lead & Coordinator - Head To Health Referrals

Healthy North Coast operates as one of 31 local, independent Primary Health Networks (PHNs) funded by the Australian Government to streamline primary health services and improve community health outcomes, especially for vulnerable populations.  We deliver the PHN Program across the stunning north coast region from Tweed Heads to Port Macquarie across Githabul, Bundjalung, Gumbaynggirr, Dunghutti, Birpai and Yaegl lands.

We are a values-driven organisation with motivated and passionate employees, all who contribute to our culture of success.  Our people are our biggest asset and are provided with attractive remuneration packages (including salary packaging benefits), flexible work arrangements, wellbeing initiatives, fantastic leave options and a commitment to ongoing learning & development.

“HNC is committed to improving and sustaining employment outcomes for people from diverse backgrounds. We recognise the knowledge, insights, and capabilities of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Their strength, resilience and cultural competence are highly valued. HNC is committed to culturally safe recruitment practices”.

Join us as the Clinical Lead for the Head to Health Referral service, contributing to the future state model of the NSW Head to Health Information, Assessment and Referral (IAR) service. In collaboration with key stakeholders and the Senior Manager, Head to Health, your responsibilities include:

• Stakeholder Collaboration: Work alongside key stakeholders to strengthen referral pathways between the centralised IAR telephony service, Health to Health Hubs/Satellites, and the broader mental health system.
• Relationship Building: Establish and maintain strong relationships with local service providers and Local Health Districts to integrate Head to Health services into existing structures.
• Resource Management: Gather up-to-date clinical mental health, suicide prevention, and AOD service information. Develop and maintain a comprehensive service directory for efficient and effective referrals.
• Consumer Care: Manage a small case load of consumers requiring increased support and care navigation. This includes individuals facing complex situations and those at risk of suicide.
• Reporting and Compliance: Contribute to reporting processes, ensuring data collection and submission for reporting requirements. Maintain consumer records and work in alignment with HNC values and priorities.

Join our team as the Coordinator for the Head to Health Referral service. In this role, you will support the implementation of the Referral Service under the future state model of the NSW Head to Health IAR service. Your responsibilities include:

• Pathway Identification: Identify pathways to mental health and psychosocial services across the North Coast.
• Relationship Management: Establish and maintain strong relationships with local service providers and Local Health Districts for seamless integration of Head to Health services.
• Resource Management: Gather up-to-date mental health, suicide prevention, and AOD service information. Develop and maintain a comprehensive service directory for efficient referrals.
• Allocation Support: Support timely allocation of consumer referrals and communicate with local service providers to ensure effective action.
• Capacity Building: Build the capacity of primary health care stakeholders by providing advice and information, maintaining consumer records, and contributing to continuous improvement initiatives.

Shared Responsibilities for Both Roles:

• Cultural Responsiveness: Demonstrate cultural safety for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and uphold principles from the Gayaa Dhuwi (Proud Spirit) Declaration. Consider diverse needs of CALD and LGBTIQ+ individuals.
• Service Integration: Support the IA Hub by managing referrals, considering holistic consumer needs, identifying appropriate services, and fostering integration across mental health, AOD, psychosocial, and community services.
• Local Expertise: Develop a deep understanding of the local context, including service options, wait times, and service mapping. Facilitate referrals to local services based on IA hub assessments.
• Continuous Improvement: Contribute to ongoing improvement, monitoring, and evaluation. Advocate for reduced story retelling and work closely with IA hub clinicians for comprehensive referrals.
• Demand Management: Implement strategies for demand management, focusing on referral quality and creating platforms for service information sharing.

We are seeking exceptional candidates who possess the following qualifications and qualities:

• Expertise in Mental Health: Demonstrated experience or comprehensive knowledge of mental health, suicide prevention, and alcohol and other drugs organisations/care pathways within the Healthy North Coast footprint.
• Established Stakeholder Relationships: Proven ability to establish and nurture partnerships with key stakeholders, fostering collaborative efforts to achieve shared goals.
• Service Model Familiarity: Ideally, a strong understanding and working knowledge of the Head to Health Initial, Assessment, and Referral service model or equivalent referral programs, showcasing your adaptability and capacity to integrate with existing frameworks.
• Commitment to Principles: A strong commitment to principles such as Work Health and Safety, Equal Employment Opportunity, Cultural Safety, and Continuous Improvement, ensuring a workplace that aligns with these values.
• Tertiary Qualifications and Sector Experience: The Clinical Lead - Head to Health Referrals position requires a current clinical accreditation with a relevant tertiary qualification in mental health and/or equivalent experience of 7+ years. The Coordinator - Head to Health Referrals position requires 5+ years experience in similar position, relevant post secondary qualifications desirable. 

If you are a passionate and dedicated professional ready to make a significant impact in the mental health sector, we encourage you to apply. Your expertise and commitment will play a vital role in shaping positive outcomes for our community. 

For queries regarding either of these opportunities, including requests for position descriptions, please contact ****@hnc.org.au.  If we can assist you with any reasonable adjustments to submit your application for this position, please also reach out via ****@hnc.org.au.

A double vaccination status for COVID-19 is a condition of work with HNC and required to progress your employment application. 

Applications close 5pm, Wednesday 7 February, 2024.