Key Responsibilities & Operational Scope

The core responsibilities and primary duties for this position within Department of Veterans' Affairs include:

• Clinicians (APS 6) work within the Open Arms Division of the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) providing counselling services to current and formerly serving Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel, their partners, and families. They apply extensive knowledge and experience gained from a relevant background in psychology, social work, counselling, occupational therapy, or nursing to build rapport with clients, understand their unique experiences and work with them to identify goals that will enhance mental health and wellbeing.
• Clinicians provide evidence-based assessment, formulation, and treatment for a range of psychological conditions, and keep confidential care plans and clinical notes to reflect counselling progress. They may also provide co-facilitation for group programs alongside fellow Open Arms staff or external clinicians. With clients’ consent, Clinicians will liaise with additional treatment providers, family members and/or key Open Arms and DVA stakeholders to enhance therapeutic support.
• Reporting to the Assistant Director (EL 1) Clinicians are required to attend regular case reviews and operational supervision to discuss client progress and complex cases with the Assistant Director and other Clinicians. They are required to make decisions, problem solve and navigate complex client issues, whilst adhering to relevant legislation, ethical guidelines, and policies. Critical thinking, communication and interpersonal skills are paramount, and Clinicians must demonstrate high levels of integrity and emotional intelligence. Bringing knowledge of veterans’ and their families’ experiences to the role, Clinicians will demonstrate respect for all clients and uphold a strong commitment to confidentiality and privacy.
• Provide high quality clinical services including risk assessment and intervention, referral, evidence-based individual, couple and family counselling, and case management to eligible Open Arms clients in order to achieve outcomes identified in care planning
• Conduct reviews with clients on counselling progress to determine further approaches and establish additional needs, including extensions to episodes of care
• Using the Client Management System, maintain confidential files for each client that include session progress notes, care plans, risk assessment, and additional client interactions
• 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 Clinicians to review client cases, including those that may require extensions to episodes of care
• Liaise with clients’ family members and additional treatment providers and/or other Open Arms/DVA stakeholders to coordinate care

Mandatory Eligibility & Security Clearance

Applicants must satisfy the following statutory and organizational requirements:

• Citizenship: Under section 22(8) of the Public Service Act 1999, candidates must generally be Australian citizens to be eligible for engagement.
• Security Clearance: The successful candidate must be able to obtain and maintain an Australian Government Security Vetting Agency (AGSVA) security clearance (Baseline, Negative Vetting 1, or Negative Vetting 2 as required by the agency).
• Probationary Period: Employment may be subject to a probationary period, character checks, and pre-engagement screening.
• Qualifications as a registered Psychologist / Occupational Therapist / Registered Nurse with full AHPRA registration, OR
• Qualification as a 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.
• RecruitAbility applies to this vacancy. Under the RecruitAbility scheme you will be invited to participate in further assessment activity for the vacancy if you choose to apply under the scheme; declare you have a disability; and meet the minimum requirements for the job. For more information visit: https://www.apsc.gov.au/recruitability. This initiative/program is only applicable where the successful applicant will be employed under the Public Service Act 1999. Similar conditions may apply when employed under other Acts. For clarification please contact the advertising agency.

Working Arrangements & Public Sector Benefits

Work Model: Flexible. Details: We support a range of flexible work arrangements in accordance with our Enterprise Agreement..

Australian Public Service positions provide comprehensive Commonwealth benefits including a standard 15.4% employer superannuation contribution, attractive leave provisions, and structured career progression pathways across the Australian Public Service.