Intake and Research Officer

Black Dog Institute; Sydney; On-site; AUD 75,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

35 hour work week

Salary packaging: tax-free allowances

Family first culture

Pet-friendly workspace

Wellbeing and leave benefits

Job summary

Black Dog Institute is seeking an NEWSS Intake and Research Officer to act as the first point of clinical engagement for emergency service workers accessing the National Emergency Worker Support Service. You will conduct triage, guide participants to appropriate care, and support research activities embedded within clinical services.

The role requires experience in mental health settings, trauma-informed care, and strong data management skills.

Qualifications

• Qualification in psychology, social work, counselling or related discipline.
• Experience engaging with people experiencing mental health concerns.
• Knowledge of PTSD, anxiety, depression and trauma-informed care.
• Experience working in research-focused clinical services or clinical trials.

Responsibilities

• Conduct intake screening, triage to refer clients to appropriate clinic, project, or external service.
• Maintain clinical and administrative records.
• Assist with project/trial informed consent, study setup, data management plans, and data quality monitoring.
• Contribute to research reporting, grants and translation activities as required.
• Collaborate with clinicians, researchers, and external partners to ensure data meet user needs.

Skills

Trauma-informed care

Telephone intake

Multidisciplinary collaboration

Data management

Documentation

Research support

Education

Psychology/Social Work/Counselling degree

Job description

Located on the lands of the Bidiagal Clan of the Dharawal Nation (Randwick, NSW), Black Dog Institute is the only Medical Research Institute in Australia to investigate mental health across the full lifespan, our aim is to create a mentally healthier world for everyone. For over 20 years, we have been at the forefront of mental health research and have maintained a reputation as the face of mental health research and treatment in Australia.

Through our unique ‘translational’ research approach, we turn our world‑class research into treatments, prevention strategies, clinical services, educational programs, and e‑health products. These allow us to continue our work in leading Australia’s population health response, and champion the ongoing conversation of mental health in our society.

Our work is used to distributed through the public and is used to drive evidence informed change across the mental health sector, setting the foundation for a brighter and healthier future for all.

• 35 hour work week,flexible hours agreements
• Salary Packaging: $15,900.00 of your base salary tax free & up to $2650.00 meal & entertainment
• Family first, people first culture, we put our research into action at work to make sure we maintain mental health and wellbeing at work
• Pet friendly workplace
• Leave benefits including public holiday swap, gifted annual leave, and wellbeing leave

The Role

The NEWSS Intake and Research Officer is the first point of clinicalengagement for emergency service workers accessing Black DogInstitute’s National Emergency Worker Support Service. The role delivers acentralised intake function across Black Dog Institute and the UNSW Traumatic Stress Clinic, assessing their eligibility and guiding them to theappropriate clinical care.
This role ensures our clinical research programs are perceived by patientsas accessible, interesting, patient-focused, recovery orientated, friendlyand welcoming. The position works collaboratively with the broaderNational Emergency Worker Support Service team.
Tasks related to this position include conducting literature searches,contacting clinical trial participants, assisting with recruitment andassessments, preparing and editing research reports and manuscripts,data entry, coding, and analysis, assisting in the submission andmaintenance of ethics forms and resources, and general research supportduties.
The role also contributes directly to research activities, including data preparation, analysis, reporting and support of research projects andclinical trials embedded within clinical services.

Duties & Responsibilities

Clinical Intake

• Conduct telephone screening, intake and triage functions to assess eligibility and refer clients to the appropriate clinic, research project, or external service.
• Provide a trauma-informed and person-centered experience.
• Maintain clinical and administrative records.
• Participate in intake review and case discussion meetings on site with both the BDI and Traumatic Stress clinics.
• Contribute to service improvement and data collection.

Research Operations and Support

• Support the delivery of research projects and clinical trials embedded within Clinical Services.
• Assist with project/trial informed consent, study set‑up, data management plans, database development and ongoing data quality monitoring.
• Contribute to research reporting, publications, grant reporting and translation activities as required.

Collaboration and Stakeholder Engagement

• Work closely with clinicians, researchers, operations staff and external partners to ensure data and systems meet user needs.
• The role works closely with both clinic teams and attends relevant meetings to support consistent intake and triage decisions.

Work, Health and Safety

• Ensure self‑compliance with all WHS legislation and Black Dog Institute WHS policies and procedures.
• Report WHS hazards and significant issues to the Director, People & Culture, or delegate.
• Work in a safe manner, applying duty of care.

Note: the list of responsibilities is not exhaustive, and the Institute may change or request additional activities to meet the operational needs of the business.

Skills & Experience Required

• Qualification in psychology, social work, counselling, mentalhealth or related discipline.
• Experience engaging with people experiencing mental healthconcerns and knowledge of PTSD, anxiety, depression andtrauma-informed care.
• Excellent telephone communication and rapport-building skills.
• Excellent ability to work collaboratively with multidisciplinaryteams, with the ability to work across multiple service modelsand stakeholders.
• Strong attention to detail and organizational and documentation skills.
• Ability to manage sensitive information confidentially.
• Demonstrated commitment to quality, continuous improvementand organisational values.
  
• Experience working in research‑focused clinical services or clinical trial environments.
• Experience working with emergency service organisationsand/or supporting emergency service workers, veterans or high risk populations.
• Research experience or interest.
• Knowledge of referral pathways and mental health systems.
• Experience working in telephone counselling or mental healthservices.

Inclusion at BDI

We are committed to fostering an inclusive and accessible recruitment experience where all candidates can fullyparticipatein the process.

We warmly encourage applications from First Nations peoples, culturally and raciallydiversecommunities, LGBTQIA+ individuals, people with disabilities, and others from underrepresented backgrounds.

We recognise that not everyone has had equal access to opportunities, and valuable skills and perspectives can be gained through diverse life experiences.

If this role excites you but youdon’tmeet every listed requirement, we still encourage you to applyasyourlived experienceand insights are important to us.

Accessibility

If you have accessibility requirements or require information in an alternative format, pleaseemail ***************@blackdog.org.auorphone02 9382 4***

Privacy

We respect your privacy and confidentiality. We only provide information to other staff where it is needed to arrange workplace adjustments.

Commencement of employment with the Institute is subject to the completion of relevant pre-employment checks, include reference checks, a National Criminal History Check, and other role-specific requirements.
These checks are conducted in line with the Institute’s commitment to providing a safe, respectful and inclusive environment for all employees, and check outcomes are reviewed and applied fairly and in accordance with the inherent requirements of the role