Aboriginal Mental Health Worker

Department of Justice; Shire Of Kellerberrin; On-site; AUD 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working arrangements

Career pathway opportunities

Learning and development programs

Health and wellbeing programs incl. Fі

Job summary

The Aboriginal Mental Health Worker (AMHW) joins the Department of Justice in WA to support Aboriginal participants in custody through assessment, care planning and rehabilitation activities, providing cultural guidance to clinical and custodial staff.

Working with nurses and clinicians, you will help improve access to mental health and AOD services, strengthen family and community connections, and contribute to culturally informed service development and early intervention initiatives.

Qualifications

• Cultural capability and Aboriginal engagement demonstrated.
• Knowledge of mental health and AOD issues with recovery experience.
• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to work in a multidisciplinary team with assessment and care planning.
• Sound judgement, independence and professional conduct in complex settings.

Responsibilities

• Provide culturally safe support and advocacy for Aboriginal participants.
• Support mental health, AOD engagement and rehabilitation outcomes.
• Assist with crisis intervention, care planning and case management.
• Strengthen connections with families, communities and support services.
• Collaborate with nurses, clinicians and team to improve access and outcomes.
• Contribute to culturally informed service development and early intervention.

Skills

Cultural capability

Aboriginal engagement

Mental health support

AOD support

Communication skills

Collaborative practice

Case management

Independent judgement

Education

Mental health qualification

Job description

This is a permanent, full time vacancy 37.5 hours a week.

About The Role

The Aboriginal Mental Health Worker (AMHW) works as part of a multidisciplinary Mental Health, Alcohol and Other Drugs (MHAOD) team to improve access to culturally safe mental health and alcohol and other drug services for Aboriginal people in custody. The position plays a key role in supporting Aboriginal participants through assessment, care planning, engagement and rehabilitation activities, while providing cultural advice and guidance to clinical and custodial staff.

The Successful Applicant Will

• Provide culturally safe support and advocacy for Aboriginal participants.
• Support mental health, alcohol and other drug treatment engagement and rehabilitation outcomes.
• Assist with crisis intervention, care planning and case management activities.
• Strengthen connections between participants, families, communities and support services.
• Work with nurses, clinicians and other multidisciplinary team members to improve service accessibility and outcomes for Aboriginal people.
• Contribute to culturally informed service development, education and early intervention initiatives.

Suitability Requirements

Through the recruitment process, we will be looking for a candidate who can demonstrate skills, experience and attributes in relation to the following:

• Cultural Capability and Aboriginal Engagement – Demonstrated ability to provide culturally safe support, guidance and meaningful engagement with Aboriginal people, families, communities and organisations.
• Mental Health and Alcohol and Other Drug Support – Knowledge of the impacts of mental health, alcohol and other drug issues and experience supporting individuals through recovery, rehabilitation or wellbeing-focused services.
• Communication and Relationship Building – Well-developed interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to build productive working relationships with clients, staff, service providers and community stakeholders.
• Collaborative Practice and Case Management – Demonstrated ability to work effectively within a multidisciplinary team environment and contribute to assessment, care planning, case management and support activities.
• Initiative, Problem Solving and Professional Conduct – Demonstrated ability to exercise sound judgement, work independently when required, contribute to service improvement and maintain professional and ethical standards in a complex service environment.

Eligibility

Special conditions

• 50D positions – The Department recognises Aboriginality as a genuine qualification for this position under 50D of the Equal Opportunity Act 1984. To apply you must be of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent, identify as and be recognised as such by the community.

Qualifications

Applicants must demonstrate:

• Previous experience as an Aboriginal Mental Health Worker or practitioner in a community, health, mental health or alcohol and other drug setting.
• Formal qualifications in mental health or another relevant post-secondary health qualification.

Benefits And Opportunities

• Flexible working arrangements
• Career pathway opportunities
• Learning and development opportunity programs
• Health and wellbeing programs including Fitness passport providing a wide range of gym, pool, and fitness Centre discounts available for employees and their families.

Subsequent Vacancies

Applicants found suitable but not recommended for this vacancy, may be considered for subsequent similar vacancies for a period of twelve (12) months, in accordance with section 7d of the Commissioner’s Instructions No.48 – Recruitment, Selection and Appointment to Permanent Vacancies, and section 9d of the Commissioner Instructions 49 - Recruitment, Selection and Appointment to Fixed Term Vacancies. Permanent, fixed term, full time and part time appointments may be offered at Western Australia, Bunbury Regional Prison during this period.

For further job-related information

If you would like further information regarding the vacancy please contact Emma Tsakalos, Clinical Nurse Manager MHAOD on 0477 962 438 for a confidential discussion.

Equity and Diversity

The Department of Justice is committed to building a diverse, inclusive and accessible workplace that reflects the community we serve. We strongly encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and experiences.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants can access support by following this link.

Reasonable adjustments are available throughout the recruitment process. For a confidential discussion about support or adjustments, please contact the person listed above or email [e-mail].