Position Description
POSITION TITLE
Clinical Lead
JOB INFORMATION
Classification Level:
HP4
Team:
headspace Townsville
Reports to:
Director of Mental Health
PRIMARY OBJECTIVE OF ROLE
The Clinical Lead provides leadership and direction to clinical staff, contractors and private
practitioners providing clinical services for headspace Townsville. The Clinical Lead is responsible
for ensuring that clinical services provided at the centre are evidence-based and meet professional
and ethical standards. The Clinical Lead provides expert mental health care for more complex cases,
clinical supervision and professional development and education to clinicians.
ORGANISATIONAL ENVIRONMENT
The position of Clinical Lead headspace Townsville, Northern Australia Primary Health Ltd (NAPHL)
reports to the Director of Mental Health, and collaborates with the headspace Townsville Centre
Manager to contribute to the overall strategic direction and success of the headspace centre. The
Clinical Lead also contributes to the leadership team of Northern Australia Primary Health Ltd.
SPECIFIC ACCOUNTABILITIES
The position of Clinical Lead headspace Townsville, NAPHL, is responsible for leadership of the
clinical team and assurance of professional and ethical standards of clinical services delivered by the
centre.
Key deliverables include:
 Work closely with the Central Intake Officer in managing referrals, intake, waiting lists and case
allocations to and alerting the Director to issues that may arise in delivering services and any
delays;
 Monitoring the performance of clinical staff according to KPIs and undertake performance and
professional development conversations;
 Managing clinical staff diaries and holidays to maintain effective and efficient service delivery;
 Reviewing clinical and ethical decision-making of clinicians and bring significant issues to the
attention of management;
 Ensuring clinician compliance with Policy and Procedure, Ethical Guidelines, Code of Conduct,
and Australian Privacy Principles;
 Chairing Case Review meetings and leading Quality Improvement Activities included actioning
the outcomes of clinical audits to ensure quality in service delivery and record keeping;
1
 Managing complaints in the first instance to seek a positive otucome;
 Provide clinical supervision to clinicians;
 In collaboration with the Centre Manager and the Practice Administrator, contribute to the
strategic direction, planning and success of the centre;
 Evolving the clinical care pathway to meet emerging needs;
 Establishing and maintaining relationships with internal and external stakeholders;
 Contribute to education and research within the centre;
 Promote a healthy and enthusiastic team spirit.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS
The successful candidate will demonstrate and provide examples from their professional experience
of the following essential skills:
Essential

Current registration as a Health Practitioner with AHPRA, or a Social Worker with Mental
Health accreditation and eligible for a Medicare Provider Number;

Previous experience leading a team of mental health practitioners within the famework of the
National Standards for Mental Health Services.

Experience, qualification or accreditation, or evidence of recognised training in clinical
supervision and the ability to supervise new graduate health practitioners towards
independent mental health practice;

Significant recent clinical experience working with young people aged 12-25 years with
mental illness and their families, and working with Indigenous communtities;

Knowledge of adolescent development (as demonstrated by post-graduate level training or
recognised professional development);

Experience in bio-psycho-social assessment of young people and of risk;

Significant experience in evidence-based treatment of mental disorders in young people,
including in groups, working with young people at risk of harm, perinatal mental health, and
working with indigenous families;

Knowledge of family systems theory and experience in the delivery of systemically informed
care to young people and their families;

Knowledge of ethical and professional issues when working with children and families and
experience using an ethical decision-making process;

Analytical, problem solving and strategic planning skills, including the ability to provide
constructive information and advice on clinical issues to professionals and the public;

Ability to undertake reviews of the relevant literature and provide clinical education to
headspace staff and undertake service development;
Desirable

Post-graduate professional degree in a mental health profession;

Demonstrated ability to supervise post-graduate clinical students in a mental health
profession;
2

Experience in conducting research and writing reports to a professional and scientific
standard;

Experience working within a private practice setting;

Culturally sensitive practice – including experience working with clients from culturally and
linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds;

Experience working in crisis situations and conducting risk assessments;

Experience leadig group therapy;
MANDATORY CERTIFICATIONS / REGISTRATIONS

Blue Card
No

Police Check
Yes

Professional Registration
Yes

Immunisations
No

Driver’s Licence
Yes
KEY CHALLENGES

The headspace Townsville Clinical Lead leads evidence-based practice of the clinical team in
an adaptive way to reach and support young people who may not traditionally seek mental
health care. The role includes supervising the delivery of quality care and evaluating clinical
staff and service performance. The role requires having strong professional and ethical
decision-making abilities due the age-group and common concerns of young people (i.e.
sexual risks and substance use).

Health professionals are responsible for the maintenance of their level of capability in the
provision of health care and their reporting obligations in this regard.

Health professionals, who in the course of their duties suspect that a child or young person
has been abused or neglected in their home/community environment, may have a legislative
and or duty of care obligation to report such concerns to the Department of Child Safety.
BEHAVIOURS
The incumbent will be expected to adhere to all NAPHL policies and procedures, and in doing so,
demonstrate our organisational values:
3
APPROVAL
Director Mental Health
21.12.2015
Reviewed
Name:
Phil Ihme
Date: 21.12.2015
4