Clinical Care Coordinators (APS 6) work within the Open Arms Division of the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA), and provide short-term, goal-oriented, clinical case management intervention to clients who present with unmet health and psychosocial needs that impact on their ability to access and/or meaningfully engage in mental health care. With a primary focus on promoting client engagement with mental health care, Clinical Care Coordinators, assist clients in identifying appropriate supports, reduce barriers to access, and address health and psychosocial factors likely to negatively impact on engagement in care, or lead to significant deterioration in mental health if left unaddressed.
Reporting to the Assistant Director, the position incorporates the development and maintenance of internal relationships within Open Arms, as well as external relationships with key community services stakeholders, through the provision of direct evidence informed support to individuals and/or their families with complex needs.
Clinical Care Coordination is delivered one-to-one with a strong emphasis on worker-client alliance, and the involvement of family and caregivers as indicated and permitted by the client. Clinical Care Coordination supports clients with complex case management and employs elements of focused psychological strategies which include psychoeducation, distress tolerance, problem-solving, and/or motivational interviewing to facilitate progress towards case management goals.
The key duties of the position include:
* Provide high quality, evidence informed clinical services including risk management, brief intervention, care coordination, and referral for a caseload of clients with identified complex and/or multiple needs.
* Using the Client Management System, maintain confidential files for each client that include session progress notes, care plans, risk assessment, and additional client interactions.
* Liaise and form partnerships with DVA, the Australian Defence Force, other government departments, ex-service organisations, community based mental health and welfare agencies, involved in meeting the identified needs of veterans and families communities. This includes the development of a shared knowledge base that helps inform appropriate practice and referral pathways for service access.
* Work systemically with key internal and external stakeholders to influence a recovery approach to service delivery within a stepped care model for vulnerable or at risk veteran and defence force communities and families, in accordance with Open Arms policy and procedures. Participate in internal and external meetings as directed.
* Schedule and attend Continuing Professional Development (CPD) activities, including clinical supervision, to maintain professional registration.
* Adhere to relevant legislation, ethical guidelines and policies pertaining to best-practice client care.
* Liaise and attend regular meetings with the Assistant Director and other Clinical Care Coordinators to review client cases, including those that may require extensions to episodes of care.
* Apply the principles of cooperative and safe working practices consistent with APS Values and the Department’s mission, vision, approach and values.
* Engage in other clinical tasks as directed by the Assistant Director based on organisational need. These may include:
o Co-facilitate group treatment and psychoeducation programs on a range of topics alongside other Open Arms staff or external clinicians.
o Participate in community development and service promotion activities.
o Participate in Open Arms program evaluation and research activities, contributing to project management activities that implement strategic directions and quality improvement recommendations, and provide feedback for ongoing development of clinical policies and procedures.
o Facilitate the delivery of Open Arms counselling and other programs to veterans and families by applying quality assurance principles and procedures to ensure the clinical practice, and reporting of Outreach Program Clinicians (OPCs) meet contractual requirements.
o Collaboratively manage the regional allocation queue through liaison and consultation with Open Arms Clinicians, OPCs and administrative staff.
o Conduct regional intake assessments to inform allocation to appropriate services and assist with allocator duties when required to meet the operational needs of the service.
Eligibility
* Under section 22(8) of the Public Service Act 1999, employees must be Australian citizens to be employed in the Australian Public Service (APS).
* Any successful candidate external to DVA offered employment will be required to undergo a pre-engagement screening check, even if they have a security clearance. The screening check is conducted in accordance with the Australian Government Protective Security Policy Framework requirements.
* Any successful candidate will also be required to obtain and/or maintain, a baseline Vetting (AGSVA) security clearance as a minimum.
Mandatory Requirements
* Currently hold or ability to obtain a Working with Vulnerable People registration OR
* Currently hold or ability to obtain a Working with Children check
In addition to the above, one of the following:
* Qualifications as a registered Psychologist / Occupational Therapist / Registered Nurse with full AHPRA registration, OR
* Social Worker with membership of the Australian Association Social Workers (AASW) on commencement, OR
* A Masters-level counselling qualification and registration with PACFA as a Registered Clinical Counsellor or with ACA at Level 3 or Level 4.
Notes
This recruitment process may be used to fill ongoing and/or non-ongoing position/s. For more information about the role, please see the Candidate Information Pack.
A merit pool of suitable applicants may be created which may be used to fill future ongoing and non-ongoing vacancies should they become available over the next 18 months.
Successful applicants engaged into the APS will be subject to a probation period.
We welcome people with diverse skills, experiences and perspectives. DVA is committed to building a workforce that reflects the community we serve and encourages applications from:
Veterans and former Australian Defence Force members, whose skills and experience are highly valued across the APS
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
People with disability
People who identify as LGBTQIA+
People from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds
We are a Veteran Employer of Choice! This means you benefit from a workplace actively supporting veterans and families of veterans – one that understands and values military experience. You’re joining an organisation publicly recognised for its commitment to fostering veteran-friendly employment pathways and long-term career success.
The Australian Public Service (APS) values the unique skills, perspectives, and experiences that veterans gain during their Australian Defence Force (ADF) employment and encourage veterans to apply. Support may be available to veterans transitioning to meaningful APS careers through participation in VetPaths, which offers veterans an opportunity to participate in a six-month program offering formal learning and development, career mentoring and activities for wellness and peer support. More information can be found on the DVA Website.
Getting to know the Department of Veterans' Affairs
The Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) exists to fulfil the nation’s duty to support our serving and ex-serving Australian Defence Force members and their families. We do this through programs of care, compensation, commemoration, income and Defence support services. Our aim is to enhance self-sufficiency, quality of life, financial wellbeing and community recognition for those we support. DVA is both a policy and service delivery agency. We have strong relationships with Australian ex-service organisations, Federal and State Government agencies and the veteran community. DVA’s vision is to honour veterans, and empower them and their families to continue life after service, within a society that understands and values their military service and their ongoing contribution to the community.