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POSITION DESCRIPTION

POSITION TITLE: Mental Health Officer (Youth) PROGRAM: Brisbane Mind / NSPT POSITION STATUS: Full time REPORTING TO: QC State Manager – Client Services 1. PRIMARY OBJECTIVES The Queensland Council (QC) for LGBTI Health (formerly known as the Queensland AIDS Council) are seeking suitably qualified Mental Health Professionals to grow our team and provide client-centered, trauma informed counselling and support services to those within our LGBTI and Sistergirl & Brotherboy communities. Employed by the QC, the positions will work across both QC and Open Doors Youth Service (ODYS) as well as offsite locations. The role will form part of larger multidisciplinary allied and clinical health teams at QC. Located within the Brisbane North PHN Catchment Area, we are seeking a full time mental health youth professional to support our National Suicide Prevention Trial (NSPT) and Brisbane Mind (Bmind) mental health services. 2. ORGANISATIONAL ENVIRONMENT QC offers statewide supports and multiple programs to improve the health and wellbeing of LGBTI and Sistergirl & Brotherboy Queenslanders. QC programs work across the entire LGBTI and Sistergirl Brotherboy populations to address concerns related to health, ageing or wellbeing. QC also engages with specific groups and identities to focus on their unique and specific needs whether it’s general health, inclusivity training or various health action groups. QC partners with other community organisations to implement many of its programs and Values partnerships and collaboration. QC is funded by government grants, community fundraising, donations and sponsorships.

Our Vision A Queensland where all LGBTI and Sistergirl & Brotherboy people achieve the best possible health and well-being and participate fully in the life of communities, free from stigma and discrimination.

Our Mission To enable LGBTI and Sistergirl & Brotherboy people to increase control over and improve their health, as a resource for social, economic and personal development and an important dimension of quality of life. Our Values Justice, courage, innovation, celebration Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action The Queensland Council (QC) For LGBTI Health promotes Equal Employment Opportunity. All selection is based on proven experience, qualifications and / or training and the person’s potential to undertake the responsibilities of the position most efficiently. We will not discriminate against applicants on any grounds not relevant in determining the best person for the position. As an LGBTI peer based organisation, and an HIV service agency, we recognise that LGBTI and Sistergirl & Brotherboy people and people bring unique perspectives, skills and knowledge that are

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important to QC’s work. QC therefore promotes the recruitment and continued employment of LGBTI people and people living with HIV/AIDS. For more information on our organisation please visit our website www.quac.org.au:

3. THE ROLE OF THE MENTAL HEALTH PRACTITIONER Provision of Services The mental health practitioner is responsible for the provision of high quality mental health services at QC and ODYS. They must have minimum qualifications as a: Registered Psychologist (full) Occupational Therapist; and or an Accredited Mental Health Social Worker. They must maintain high clinical standards in keeping with community accepted standards of care. They must maintain up to date knowledge, standards and practices in LGBTI health in keeping with the service’s focus on these areas. They must have all the attributes required to ensure the highest quality client care. They must be able to establish rapport with clients and have excellent communication skills, in particular the capacity to communicate complex information and assist clients to make informed decisions. Case Management The mental health practitioner will engage in informal and formal case-management and peer-review meetings with other practitioners engaged at QC and ODYS. Opportunities for appropriate professional development, training and maintenance of skill and expertise will be raised with the State Manager – Client Services. Building Relationships The mental health practitioner will participate in and support the building and maintaining of relationships with other relevant organisations, institutions, services and practices.

Ensuring a Healthy and Safe Working Environment As a staff member of QC and ODYS you the mental health practitioner is responsible for ensuring a safe and healthy workplace by complying with the provisions of the Workplace Health and Safety Act.

4. POSITION ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES The practitioner will provide short-term mental health services for people who are risk of suicide and or are experiencing mental health issues and who have difficulty accessing services. Brisbane Mind and NSPT services are delivered to the LGBTI and Sistergirl & Brotherboy communities through QC and ODYS at no cost to the client.

Direct Service Provision ! Conduct initial intake and assessment. ! Develop a client plan for each client accessing the service. ! Provide short term counselling services including ongoing assessment, care planning,

referral, intervention and mental health strategies. ! Provide focused psychological strategies, including cognitive behavioral therapy,

interpersonal therapy, narrative therapy or brief intervention. ! Exit planning and development of referral pathways if further counselling is required. ! Provide client focused brief intervention with clients over a short period of sessions, in an

LGBTI affirming practice. ! Provide regular feedback to the referring GP or relevant key worker regarding client

progress.

Administration

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! Management of confidential client files, including writing case notes, client plans and referral pathways.

! Management of client intake, including assessing eligibility of clients waiting to access counselling service.

! Referral of clients not appropriate for counselling, or clients completing counselling. ! Development of case plans for each client to monitor the progress of clients accessing

counselling. ! Data collection as required by QC and/or funding bodies.

5. KEY SELECTION CRITERIA Qualifications Applicants will hold minimum qualifications as a: Registered Psychologist (full),Occupational Therapist; and or an Accredited Mental Health Social Worker Essential Criteria

1. Demonstrated experience in the provision of mental health service provision

2. Demonstrated sensitivity to the issues of LGBTI and Sistergirl & Brotherboy communities in accessing culturally sensitive and appropriate mental health services.

3. A passion for increasing the health and wellbeing for LGBTI and Sistergirl & Brotherboy communities

4. Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of delivery of mental services and client care using a holistic, trauma informed, patient centred approach.

5. Demonstrated ability to provide mental health related information to clients within a model of empowerment and personal development.

6. Demonstrated ability to participate in research and clinical trials, including data collection processes and data analysis.

7. Demonstrated ability and commitment to work with a multi-disciplinary team.

8. A demonstrated commitment to the implementation of human rights and social justice principles, to industrial democracy and respect for people in the workplace.

9. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.

10. A current not restricted Queensland Driver’s license

6. CONDITIONS OF EMPLOMENT Employed by the Queensland AIDS Council, the positions will work across both QuAC and ODYS as well as offsite locations and will form part of larger multidisciplinary mental and physical health teams.

QC is an equal opportunity employer and as such all staff and contractors are required to contribute to creating a non-discriminatory workplace.

QC provides a non-smoking workplace.

7. Further Information For further enquiries please contact the State Manager – Client Services Lance Schema on: 0412 703 554 or Lschema@quac.org.au