The ASRC Health Program currently has three male volunteer psychiatrists. Many women accessing services are uncomfortable or unable to share their mental health concerns with a male psychiatrist. In an attempt to provide culturally safe and gender-specific care, we require a female psychiatrist to provide support, treatment, and referral to women seeking asylum with mental health presentations. You will provide high-quality, trauma-informed care. In return, you will be driven and inspired by the immense resilience displayed by our clients.
Program: Health
The ASRC Health Program provides a comprehensive primary care service with nurses, GPs, mental health practitioners, allied health services, physiotherapy, osteopathy, acupuncture, dietician, and podiatry. The health program offers catch-up immunisations, pathology collection, diabetes management, and health promotion to people seeking asylum, as well as support for pharmacy costs. The mental health service includes psychiatrists, nurses, a psychologist, and a counsellor, with complementary mental health support such as art therapy and yoga. Our clients' complex health needs require multiple consultations across various health disciplines. The majority of those accessing our service have no income and are on visas denying them work rights and Medicare.
Stream: Humanitarian Services
The Humanitarian Services Stream exists to improve the mental, physical, and social well-being of members of the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre. We safeguard basic human rights for people seeking asylum, such as food, security, medical care, and an adequate standard of living, whilst promoting dignity, empowerment, and community engagement. We are fierce advocates for clients seeking asylum and take no federal funding.
Key Responsibilities
* Assessment, management, and treatment of mental illnesses resulting from trauma, torture, forced displacement, and domestic and sexual violence.
* Provide comprehensive medico-legal reports to support clients' claims for protection, work rights, and financial support.
* Conduct referrals and escalate the level of care where appropriate, communicating openly and clearly with the team regarding follow-up.
* Collaborate with other multidisciplinary team members to provide extensive, holistic, high-quality care.
What we’re looking for
* Eligibility for registration as a medical practitioner with the Medical Board of Australia, Fellowship or the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists, or equivalent postgraduate qualification.
* Professional Indemnity Insurance and ongoing clinical supervision are in place.
* A passionate and dedicated professional psychiatrist eager to make a tangible difference in the lives of people seeking asylum.
* Experience working with people from diverse cultural backgrounds and utilizing interpreters.
* A trauma-informed approach, with experience working with individuals with significant trauma histories such as war, conflict, forced displacement, and torture.
* Lived experience of seeking asylum or refugee background and speaking a language other than English (e.g., Arabic, Farsi, Amharic, Urdu) is desirable.
* Commitment to the ASRC values and a rights-based approach.
About Us
The Asylum Seeker Resource Centre (ASRC) is the largest aid, employment, health, and advocacy organization for people seeking asylum in Australia. We provide direct services and engage in law reform, campaigning, and lobbying. The rights of asylum seekers and refugees are central to our mission. Our organizational values are: Welcoming, Authentic, Courageous, and Collaborative.
For more information, email or call the health program at 03 9274 9898 and speak to Sian Edwards, Catherine Cursion, or the Community Health Nurses.
● ASRC Volunteer Induction ● Volunteer Agreement ● Police Check ● Working with Children Check ● 3-month probation period ● Program-specific training
Time required
Ideally, we are looking for someone to join the team for one day or half a day per fortnight, on Monday, Tuesday, or Friday. Shift times are 10 am – 12:30 pm or 1:30 pm - 4:30 pm. We currently have one psychiatry clinic on Thursday and another on Saturday mornings and aim to expand, including an additional women’s-only psychiatric clinic.
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