MERCY HEALTH
POSITION DESCRIPTION
Position title:
Senior CATT Clinician
Registered Psychiatric
Nurse (RPN4),
Occupational therapist
level 3, Psychologist level
3, Social worker level 3.
Employee name:
Entity/Group:
WERRIBEE MERCY
Date:
Business Unit/Department:
MENTAL HEALTH
PROGRAM (WMMHP)
Position reports to:
MHAC
CRISIS ASSESSMENT
TREATMENT TEAM
(CATT)
Manager: Crisis
Assessment Treatment
Team (CATT)
Positions reporting to
this one:
RPN3
RPN4 CATT/Triage Sept 2005
Position Purpose:
The role of the Senior clinician is to provide intensive clinical assessment, treatment and
support services to clients who are in acute psychiatric crisis. Overall the clinician will form
an integral part of a multi-disciplinary team and will be required to provide highly responsive
and flexible service to consumers and carers, while upholding a high level of
professionalism.
The provision of specialist clinical services, referral and advice to support clients and the
broader community via a comprehensive psychiatric triage process.
Qualifications:
To support the Team Manager and take on the responsibility of leadership and guidance for
junior staff both within CATT and other parts of WMMHP.
Certificate, diploma, or degree in nursing which meets the registration requirements of the
Nursing Board of Victoria in Division 1 or 3 (Division 1 nurses require recognised
postgraduate studies in psychiatry), Registered clinical psychologist, Qualified occupational
therapist or qualified social worker.
Desirable: further study in relevant specialist areas.
Resource management:
Demonstrated competency in mental status and risk assessment and the ability to prioritise
workload while taking on a role as team leader.
Total staff management (FTE):
NIL
Annual Operating Expenditure:
Annual Capital Expenditure:
Personal Competencies required
 Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
 Ability to work autonomously and function optimally
within a multi-disciplinary team
MHAC
Job Competencies Required
 Demonstrated ability to effectively consult and liaise
with consumers, families and other support networks
while adhering to legislative requirements of privacy
and nursing ethics
 Able to recognize the expertise of others and respect
other disciplines opinions. Considers workload of
other team members and assists to enable workload
RPN4 CATT/Triage Sept 2005
 Have an ability to undertake mental health
assessments and provide assertive outreach and
monitor efficacy of prescribed treatments.
 Ability to document and search appropriate data base
Key Result Areas
SERVICE DELIVERY
 Is engaged in the provision of clinical
care that has a customer focus and is
of a high standard.
MHAC
to be completed in a timely manner.
 Treat clients and their carers with respect and
compassion at all times.
 Demonstrated experience and the capacity to work
with people who are in an acute phase of mental
illness and at risk of further deterioration.
 A thorough understanding of Psychiatric triage and
pathways into psychiatric services, both public and
private sectors.
 A high level of expertise in the assessment and
monitoring of clients’ mental and physical state
 Ability to establish timely intervention plans and
discharge where appropriate
 Ability to assess risk and determine appropriate risk
management strategies
 Using RAPID CMI and triage phone calls prior to
referral to appropriate services for follow-up. A
thorough understanding of local and broader mental
health care polices
Standard Measures
Key Activities
 Documentation is of a high
professional standard
 Client records demonstrate expert
levels of assessment, treatment
planning and consultation with family
and relevant others
 Takes on a leadership role in case
planning
 Legislation and policy is adhered to or
appropriately interpreted
 Contribute to clinical service
development initiatives
 Appropriate assessment and
evaluation of outcomes using relevant
measurement tools.
 Timely completion of treatment plans
and outcome measures for each client
that you are the care coordinator for.
 Engagement in handover of clients in
a professional and objective manner.
 Crisis assessment and counseling of
clients.
 Linking clients into appropriate
services prior to disengagement.
RPN4 CATT/Triage Sept 2005
Key Result Areas
SUPERVISION
 Actively promotes a culture of
supervision within the organization.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
 Promotes the role and services of the
catt team to other organizations.
MHAC
Standard Measures
 Active participation in team
discussions and representation of
WMMHP to the wider community.
Key Activities
 Undertakes and provides regular
supervision as per service policy
 Attends managerial supervision as per
protocol.
 Provides support and supervision to
junior staff and students.
 Takes responsibility for clinical
supervision needs.
 Attends managerial supervision and
works on professional goals with line
manager.
 Involved in education and mental
wellness health promotion to other
organizations.
 Presentations to outside organizations
and education.
 Is a positive role model for the cat
team whilst dealing with other
organizations.
 Actively involved in building
relationships with ambulance and
police services.
RPN4 CATT/Triage Sept 2005
Key Result Areas
TEAM DEVELOPMENT
 Is an active member of a well
functioning team
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
 Ensures responsibility of own
professional development
MHAC
Standard Measures
Key Activities
 Working with other CATT seniors to
 Attends and contributes to staff
initiate and implement
inservice and special interest groups.
activities/projects that will enhance catt  Assist Team Manager in implementing
practices.
changes and/ or team development
activities
 Taking responsibility for developing
and maintaining a portfolio or
committee membership of interest
relevant to CATT.
 Contributing to Quality Development
Activities
 Presentations within clinical
discussions and education forums
 Attends conferences, seminars and
workshops.
 Knowledge of contemporary relevant
issues.
 Participate in annual staff performance
reviews.
 Utilise internal and external education
opportunites.
 Ongoing studies and education.
Participate at journal club and
participate in weekly clinical case
presentation meetings as part of the
wider service when able.
 Attendance at all compulsory staff
education.
RPN4 CATT/Triage Sept 2005
Key Result Areas
MERCY VALUES
 Promote and uphold the Values and
Mission of Mercy Health and Aged
Care inc
LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT
 Provides clinical leadership within the
cat team.
MHAC
Standard Measures
Key Activities
 The Values of MHAC are incorporated
into daily work practices.
 Strives to be compassionate and
provide support to others.
 Consistently shows respect and values
each person’s dignity.
 Seeks opportunities to be innovative
for improvement.
 Is accountable for a high standard of
care.
 Communicates openly and honestly as
an effective team member.
 Assist the CATT manager in facilitating  Provide support to the catt manager.
the implementation of operational
 Provide clinical leadership in decision
strategies in line with MHAC and
making and provide guidance to junior
Werribee Mercy Hospital strategic
staff in difficult clinical situations.
directions.
 Take on the duty role on the cat team
 Provide leadership to the cat team.
and coordinate the staff’s duties for
that shift.
 Provide supervision and preceptorship
to junior staff and students.
RPN4 CATT/Triage Sept 2005
Key Result Areas
COMMUNICATION
 Ensures effective lines of
communication are maintained both
internally and with external facilities
Employee’s
Signature:
Standard Measures
Key Activities
 Ensure and promote behaviours that
reflect the Mercy Values.
 Demonstrates supportive professional
behaviours for colleagues.
 Establishes effective and appropriate
patterns of communication with clients,
families, colleagues and management
 Ensures, initiates and maintains
accurate documentation.
 Maintains open and transparent
communication.
 Well informed staff working in a
harmonious environment.
 Evidence of a culture with open and
transparent communication
Date:
Print Name:
Line Manager
Signature:
Date:
Print Name:
MHAC
RPN4 CATT/Triage Sept 2005