Employment Type - Permanent Part Time
Hours per fortnight - 64
Job Category - Nursing - Registered Nurse (Div 1)
Req Id - 7658
o Initial point of contact for infants, children & young people, aged between 0-25 years
o Work across 3 shifts between 07h & 22h Mon to Fri and 2 shifts 07h & 22h on weekend
o Permanent Full time opportunity | 80 hours per Fortnight | Accrued Day Off per month
About the role
Join a dynamic and highly skilled Child & Youth Phone Triage Team where your clinical expertise will directly shape the care pathways of infants, children and young people across the Geelong region.
This is a unique opportunity to work at the frontline of mental health response within Barwon Health's Acute Intervention Service, part of the Mental Health, Drug and Alcohol Service (MHDAS). As the first point of contact for young people aged 0–25 experiencing mental health and/or substance use concerns, you will play a pivotal role in ensuring timely, safe and appropriate access to care.
Clinicians within the team complete high-quality and timely mental health, alcohol and other drug triages to determine the most appropriate treatment and care pathways for infants, children and young people. Referrals are received in written and telephone form, with the triage process undertaken primarily by phone. Triage clinicians, under established governance structures, provide clinical advice, recommendations and referrals.
Senior clinicians demonstrate leadership in the ongoing development of the Child and Youth Triage team and the broader Acute Intervention Services programme, provide direct support to RPN3 clinicians rostered on shift with them. Senior clinicians will at times be required to act up as the Phone Triage Manager when the manager is on leave and are also responsible for shift coordination functions such as help managing staffing emergent shortfalls.
Key Responsibilities
* Conduct high-quality, timely mental health, alcohol and other drug triage assessments (primarily via phone) for infants, children and young people aged 0–25 years.
* Undertake comprehensive risk assessment, formulation and care pathway planning.
* Provide clear, evidence-informed clinical advice, recommendations and referrals within established governance frameworks.
* Receive and respond to referrals via telephone and written formats (including email).
* Communicate with empathy and professionalism when supporting young people, families, carers and referrers.
* Collaborate effectively with internal and external stakeholders to facilitate safe and appropriate service access.
What we're looking for
We are seeking a confident and compassionate Registered Psychiatric Nurse who thrives in a dynamic environment and values making a meaningful impact at the earliest point of intervention.
Along with strong mental health triage capability, you will:
* Demonstrate experience working with infants, children and young people experiencing mental health and/or substance use concerns.
* Be confident in clinical decision-making, including risk assessment and formulation in time-sensitive situations.
* Communicate clearly and effectively over the phone, building rapport and trust quickly.
* Work collaboratively within multidisciplinary and governance frameworks while maintaining clinical accountability.
* Show commitment to recovery-oriented, trauma-informed and family-inclusive practice.
* Be flexible to work across a rotating roster between 7:00am and 10:00pm, 7 days per week.
Position Description
Please note Barwon Health will only contact you via our official email and never use unconventional means, such as text messaging or other services.
Barwon Health staff benefits
* Excellent working conditions and a strong sense of job satisfaction
* A vibrant staff wellbeing program and access to our 24/7 Employee Assistance Program
* Extensive professional development opportunities
* Attractive salary packaging benefits
o Living expenses capped at $9,010
o Meals and entertainment capped at $2,650
For more information about working at Barwon Health, please click Here
Diversity and Inclusion
Barwon Health is an inclusive and welcoming employer, committed to reflecting the diverse communities we serve. We value and celebrate people of all genders, sexual orientations, cultural backgrounds, faiths, abilities, family structures, and identities, and encourage applications from Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples, people with disability, culturally and linguistically diverse communities, and members of the LGBTIQA+ community.
Child Safety
We are strongly committed to the safety and wellbeing of all children and young people. Click here for further information on the Victorian Government's Child Safe Standards:
Additional information
If you need adjustments to participate in the recruitment process, please contact us at
All appointments are subject to:
* Satisfactory Police Record Check
* Immunisation Status Clearance
* Working with Children Check (if applicable)
To apply, you will need a resume and a tailored cover letter outlining your skills, experience, and suitability for the position in line with the requirements of the position description. Please note: We do not accept resumes via email.
Contact person: Sarah Stein | Manager | Phone Triage
Email: ***********@barwonhealth.org.au
Phone: (03) 4215 8***
Application closing date: Wednesday 25, March 2026
Internal applicants:If you are currently employed at Barwon Health, please ensure you sign in via the Employee Login on the external Careers Page or access the Careers Page through the intranet before applying.
Shortlisting may commence prior to the closing date - early applications are encouraged.