MERCY HEALTH
POSITION DESCRIPTION
Core Mercy Values:
Compassion, Hospitality, Respect, Innovation, Stewardship, Teamwork
Position title:
Project Worker –
Maternal and Early
Family Mental Health
Mercy Mental Health
Employee name:
Position reports to:
Program Director Mercy
Mental Health Services
Positions reporting to
this one:
Position Purpose:
As part of the Mercy Mental Health Program, the Project Officer position will provide support to the
Clinical Lead in delivering a scoping study and business case that provides a viable organisational
framework to deliver a collaborative and integrated perinatal mental health service that will care for
the new mother, baby and family living with mental illness.
Entity/Group:
Date:
Business Unit/Department:
The position will coordinate a strategic redesign initiative in a clinical environment using project
management methodologies to drive improvements in access, flow and service efficiency for women
and their families with mental health problems prior to, during pregnancy and the postnatal period.
The role will encompass a broad range of responsibilities including mapping current services,
identifying gaps, consulting with internal and external stakeholders to develop and build on
relationships and networks to deliver services and developing a business plan to establish the
service.
Mercy Health
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Qualifications:
The successful applicant will have the following qualifications:
Mandatory:
1. Registration with AHPRA as a Divisions 1 Nurse with post graduate qualifications in Psychiatric
Nursing; or
2. Registration with AHPRA as an Occupational Therapist with approved degree in Occupational
Therapy or other qualification approved for membership of the Australian Association of
Occupational Therapy (Vic); or
3. Social Worker with approved degree in Social work or other qualifications approved for
membership of the Australian Association of Social Workers; or
4. Registration with AHPRA as a Psychologist with Clinical Psychology endorsement; and
5. Knowledge of project management techniques, tools and methods.
Desirable:
6. Experience in perinatal mental health;
7. Holds a current Victorian driver’s license.
Resource management:
Total staff management (FTE):
Annual Operating Expenditure:
Annual Capital Expenditure:
Personal Competencies required
 Enthusiastic, committed and self motivated. Able to
demonstrate capacity for sustained effort and hard work
within tight timelines. Ability to work under pressure,
respond to emerging information and meet short time
frames; display sequential, time-efficient work manner; set
high standards of performance for self.
 Relevant experience and practice in a range of mental
health settings and preferably in perinatal mental health.
 High-level, strategic writing, editing and research skills.
Proven ability to communicate with influence; interpersonal,
negotiation and stakeholder engagement skills and the ability to
cultivate productive working relationships and networks.
 Demonstrated ability to engage with a broad range of clinical
and other stakeholders at all levels of the organisation.
Mercy Health
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Job Competencies Required
 Demonstrated experience in applying change management
methodologies to complex cultural and practice change issues,
preferably in the health sector.
 Advanced project management skills, including the ability to
define project tasks, set priorities and coordinate activities
effectively to meet competing deadlines, with a track record of
proven and sustained outcomes.
 Comprehensive understanding of the health sector, including
knowledge of the Victorian Mental Health environment with an
understanding of clinical service delivery in perinatal, adult and
CAMHS mental health.
 Proven experience in strategic research, conceptual, problemsolving and analytical skills, particularly in relation to delivering
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 Understanding of, and commitment to the philosophy,
mission and values of Mercy Public Hospitals Inc. (MPHI).
Key Result Areas

Demonstrates and upholds the Values
and Mission of Mercy Health.
clinical programs.
 Experience in and knowledge of patient flow strategies, mental
health service processes and clinical redesign /process
improvement methodologies.
Key Activities

Ensure the values of Mercy Health
are incorporated into daily work
practices for all staff.
Standard Measures








Coordinate and implement strategic

redesign initiatives in a clinical
environment using project
management methodologies to drive
improvements in access, flow and
service efficiency.
Provide timely and expert advice to

Mercy Mental Health executive
management on the program including
issues and service delivery proposals.
Demonstrate highly effective

interpersonal skills at all levels,
including consultation and presentation
skills and proven ability in negotiation
and influencing in a clinical setting to

achieve project goals.
Provide leadership and take
responsibility for coordination of statewide, multi-site and potentially
international clinical redesign program.
Mercy Health


Be compassionate and hospitable in
providing service to staff, stakeholders and
customers.
Consistently shows respect and values
each person’s dignity.
Seeks opportunities to be innovative for
improvement.
Communicates openly and honestly as an
effective team member.
Work Plan in place.
Project scoping paper and business plan
completed on target.
Undertake project activities and work
collaboratively with the project lead
to deliver all outcomes of the project.


Regular progress reports including
issues resolution actions provided to
MMH Leadership.

Briefing and report documents

Minutes and records of communications
and meetings.

Feasibility and scoping study report
produced
Risk and Stakeholder analysis
Business Case developed and presented to
MPHI leadership and Mercy Health
Maintain positive relationships and
collaborate with key stakeholders,
including external partners and
frontline clinicians.
Convene relevant meetings, forums
or working groups to achieve the
outcomes of the project.
Project plan developed and
implemented.
Use ethical decision making in the
achievement of project goals.
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Key Result Areas

Takes reasonable care to protect the
health and safety of themselves, fellow
staff and others in the workplace.
Key Activities




Mercy Health
Complete incident reports.
Elect and support health and safety
representatives.
Contribute to risk assessments
Participate in training and meetings
regarding safety.
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Standard Measures




Foundation.
Reports hazards, near misses and injuries
immediately.
Uses personal protective equipment.
Comply with risk management policies and
procedures and instruction.
Attend all safety meetings and training
sessions.
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Organisational Mandatory Competencies
Personal Competencies Required
Job Competencies Required

Orientation

Highly developed people management skills and
effective leadership style

Demonstrated effectiveness as a manager with a
proven ability to meet strategic, operational and
budgetary objectives.

Diversity & Equity

Ability to advocate the importance of
organisational values and to behave in a manner
reflective of these values.

Demonstrated ability to plan and implement strategy

Emergency Procedures

Demonstrated ability to build rapport, negotiate
and form relationships with people at all levels
and pull together diverse groups to reach shared
understanding and meaning.

Demonstrated commitment to a positive organisational
culture with an understanding of, and ability to
integrate, positive organisational behaviours.

WHS Training

Demonstrated ability in effective and appropriate
delegation in decision making.

Ability to evaluate existing business processes and
drive performance improvement.

Infection Control

Ability to lead and motivate individuals and
teams.

Ability to plan and effectively manage change to
achieve desired results.

Demonstrated commitment to a culture of
excellence and quality.

Highly developed analytical skills.

Well developed interpersonal, written and verbal
communication skills.

Sound knowledge of applicable Federal, State and
Local Government legal and regulatory frameworks as
they pertain to all aspects of Mercy Health.

Capacity for constructive self reflection and
learning from actions and feedback.

In-depth knowledge of health systems and funding
models pertaining to all relevant areas.

Honesty and integrity.

Highly developed written and verbal communication
skills
Employee’s
Signature:
Mercy Health
Date:
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Print Name:
Line Manager
Signature:
Date:
Print Name:
Mercy Health
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