THE Mallee Track Health and Community Service (MTHCS) is looking to recruit a mental health clinician in the coming weeks to provide long-term mental health support for the local community.
The clinician will work across the MTHCS catchment as well as within the Ouyen, Murrayville and Manangatang P12 colleges.
Director of Community Services at MTHCS, Lyndall Munro, says this upcoming partnership between the Department of Education (DET) and the local health service is something that hasn’t really been seen before.
“I think what we’ve all done is that we have all tried to recruit a mental health clinician on our own in part-time positions, and none of us have been successful in recruiting someone in the last six months or so. So we’ve sort of, we’ve come together, the principals from each of the schools and Mallee Track, and we’ve put together a partnership agreement and now we are trying to recruit a mental health clinician into that role.”
MTHCS identified the need for a locally based mental health service after receiving calls inquiring about mental health support, including crisis services and support for long-term recovery.
“We think it is extremely important for our local communities to have a place-based service, so that they get timely supports. And, I guess, reducing that need for families to travel, because we know that travel is a barrier for people accessing services,” Ms Munro said.
The successful applicant is required to have a tertiary qualification in either psychology, social work, nursing, occupational therapy or a relevant discipline, as well having an accreditation in mental health.
“I guess what we are looking for is someone who is ready to work in a rural outreach in a multi-disciplinary team and working across schools and community. It’s a role that will appeal to someone out there I’m sure, we just haven’t found that right person yet.”
The mental health clinician position has been created through a unique partnership between the DET and MTHCS, with the funding shared between the two.
“What we are hoping is that if this partnership goes well, what other integrated opportunities are there for us,” Ms Munro said.
“I think that’s what COVID has taught us as well – is that we need to work in partnership with each other for the best outcomes for our communities.”
More information about this role can be found on the MTHCS website.
