Make a meaningful impact where it matters most - bringing expert psychological care to older adults in their homes, communities, and everyday lives.
Remuneration: $57.30 - $69.84 per hour + superannuation + salary packaging
Location: Hunter Valley Mental Health Service, Maitland
Employment Type: Permanent Part Time
Position Classification: Clinical Psychologist
Hours Per Week: 20
Requisition ID: REQ651831
Applications Close: Tuesday 12th May 2026
About the role:
This role offers a dynamic and rewarding opportunity to work as a Psychologist within a community-based Older Persons Mental Health Team.
The successful candidate will provide comprehensive psychological assessment, formulation, and evidence-based interventions for older adults with complex mental health needs. A typical week involves a mix of direct clinical care, case management within a multidisciplinary framework, and collaboration with carers, families, and external service providers.
Key responsibilities include:
* Delivering psychological therapies tailored to older persons, including those with comorbid physical health or cognitive concerns
* Conducting risk assessments and contributing to care planning within a recovery-oriented framework
* Participating in multidisciplinary case reviews and care coordination
* Providing discipline-specific consultation and guidance to team members
* Engaging in service development and quality improvement initiatives
This role is not desk-based - it involves outreach, including home visits and community engagement.
The position reports to the Older Peoples Mental Health Team Manager, with professional support provided through senior psychology staff and discipline-specific supervision structures.
The successful candidate will be supported by the Team Manager, Clinical Co-ordinator, senior clinicians, and discipline-specific psychology colleagues within the wider service.
Structured support includes:
* Regular individual clinical supervision (mandatory and ongoing)
* Access to discipline-specific peer support and supervision networks
* Orientation to the service, systems, and clinical processes
* Opportunities to participate in internal and external training aligned with professional development goals
* Support to work towards relevant endorsements or competencies (where applicable)
The team fosters a learning-focused environment, encouraging reflective practice, skill development, and continuous improvement. Training opportunities are available through application and discussion with the Team Manager, ensuring alignment with both service needs and individual career goals.
Where you'll be working:
The Hunter Valley Community Older Persons Mental Health Service, based at Maitland, provides specialist assessment, treatment, and recovery-oriented care to older adults experiencing mental health concerns across the Hunter Valley region. The service is located at 560 High Street, Maitland (former Maitland Hospital site), and operates as part of a broader community mental health framework.
Our passionate multidisciplinary team work collaboratively to deliver person-centred, evidence-based care. The service operates within a community setting, with clinicians frequently engaging clients in their homes or local environments to support functional recovery and meaningful community participation.
The team has a strong culture of collaboration, clinical reflection, and ongoing learning, with a focus on supporting both consumers and staff through shared expertise and mutual respect.
About you:
Our ideal candidate is clinically competent, compassionate, and adaptable, with a strong commitment to recovery-oriented and person-centred care.
Crucial attributes:
* Strong interpersonal and communication skills
* Ability to build therapeutic relationships with older clients and their support networks
* Sound clinical reasoning and risk assessment capabilities
* Capacity to work both independently and collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team
* Effective time management and organisational skills
* A willingness to learn, reflect, and actively engage in supervision and professional developmen
Attributes that can be developed on the job:
* Confidence working within complex service systems
* Advanced skills in specific therapeutic modalities
* Experience in older persons mental health or community-based care
* Leadership and consultation skills within a multidisciplinary team
Essential Requirements:
* Current registration as a Psychologist with Australian Health Practitioners Regulation Agency (AHPRA).
* Completion of an Australian Psychology Accreditation Council accredited postgraduate clinical psychology qualification of no less than two years full time duration or recognised equivalent, displayed on the Psychology Board of Australia website.
Desirable Requirements / Can be worked towards:
* Endorsement in Clinical Psychology
* Experience in mental health, particularly with older persons
* Training in evidence-based therapeutic modalities relevant to the population (e.g. CBT, ACT, trauma-informed care)
* Experience working within community or multidisciplinary settings
* Provisional Psychologists currently enrolled in an accredited postgraduate program (e.g. Master of Clinical Psychology) may be considered as Clinical Psychologists in Training, with appropriate supervision arrangements in place.
Provisional Psychologists currently enrolled in an accredited postgraduate program (e.g. Master of Clinical Psychology) may be considered as Clinical Psychologists in Training, with appropriate supervision arrangements in place.
What we offer
At Hunter New England Local Health District (HNELHD), enjoy a career where you're challenged by interesting work and surrounded by spectacular locations. Join the team enriching health in millions of ways every day:
* Sustainable Healthcare: Together towards zero
* Proximity to shopping and other services
* Salary packaging options
* Fitness Passport
* Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for staff and family members
* Opportunity to work and collaborate with a range of non-clinical and clinical professionals
Additional Information:
* To be eligible for permanent employment in this position you must be an Australian Citizen, or a permanent resident of Australia, or a New Zealand citizen with a current New Zealand Passport. Employment of a temporary visa holder may only occur if no suitable local candidate is identified for the position; in this instance, you may only be offered employment in line with the conditions and expiry date of your visa.
* An eligibility list will be created for future permanent part time and temporary part time vacancies.
* Casual opportunities may be available for recommended applicants.
* We are unable to accommodate visa sponsorship for applicants requiring a visa for this position.
How to apply:
Click apply online, submit your information and resume, and address the criteria listed below providing examples that demonstrate your ability.
* Extensive effective experience in assessment, intervention and evaluation of clinical outcomes with diverse patient and/or consumer populations.
* Extensive contemporary experience and knowledge of psychological practice within health settings.
Need more information?
1) Click here for the Position Description
2) Find out more about applying for this position
For role related queries or questions contact Ricci Berrie on
Information for Applicants:
Applicants will be assessed against the essential requirements and selection criteria contained within the position description (link below). For assistance addressing selection criteria visit: https://bit.ly/3vL5fq2
Stepping Up Website is a resource designed to help indigenous job applicants apply for positions in NSW Health. For more information, please visit: https://bit.ly/HNEHealthSteppingUp
This is a Category A position. Recommended applicants will be reviewed for compliance with NSW Health policy directive PD2024_015: Occupational Assessment, Screening and Vaccination against Specified Infectious Diseases for Category A positions prior to offer. All new employees must agree to comply with the requirements outlined in the policy.