Working with Older Person's Mental Health - A Career with Purpose

Who We Are

The Older Persons Mental Health Service (OPMHS) North Community Team is a specialised multidisciplinary service supporting older Tasmanians to maintain their mental health, wellbeing, independence, and quality of life within their own homes and communities. As part of Tasmania’s statewide Older Persons Mental Health Service, we provide assessment, treatment, consultation, and support for people experiencing mental illness, behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia, neurocognitive disorders, Huntington’s Disease, and complex mental health needs associated with ageing. Our team includes nursing, psychiatry, psychology, social work, occupational therapy, and allied health professionals who work collaboratively with consumers, families, carers, general practitioners, residential aged care providers, hospitals, and community services across the North region.

What We Do

We deliver specialised mental health care and support through:

- Comprehensive mental health assessments for older adults
- Treatment and recovery-focused interventions for a range of mental health conditions
- Assessment and management of behavioural and psychological symptoms associated with dementia and other neurocognitive disorders
- Specialist consultation and support to residential aged care facilities, hospitals, primary care providers, and community services
- Care coordination and collaborative care planning with consumers, families, carers, and service partners
- Short-term therapeutic interventions, psychoeducation, and wellbeing support
- Early intervention and relapse prevention strategies aimed at maintaining independence and reducing hospital admissions
- Support for transitions between hospital, residential care, and community settings

We work with older Tasmanians aged 65 years and over, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 50 years and over, who are experiencing complex mental health challenges. Our focus is on delivering person-centred, recovery-oriented care that enables people to remain connected to their families, communities, and the things that matter most to them.

Our Values and Culture

At OPMHS, we live by the One Health CARE values: Compassion, Accountability, Respect, and Excellence. We also embrace:

- Flexibility and inclusivity
- Transparency and teamwork
- Holistic and trauma-informed care
- Collaboration with families, carers, and community partners

We foster a welcoming, non-clinical environment where music, nature, and creativity are part of everyday life. Staff are encouraged to personalise spaces, build meaningful relationships, and support consumers with empathy and respect.

To further enrich our culture, we actively implement the My Home Life program—an evidence-based approach that promotes quality of life for people living and working in care settings. Through this program, we focus on:

- Enhancing positive communication between staff, consumers, and families
- Strengthening relational care and emotional connection
- Encouraging shared decision-making and reflective practice
- Creating a culture of kindness, dignity, and mutual respect

My Home Life helps us ensure that every interaction is meaningful, every voice is heard, and every person—staff or consumer—feels valued and supported.

Why Work with Us?

As a team, we offer:

- A deeply supportive and inclusive workplace
- Structured supervision, mentoring, and professional development
- Opportunities to specialise in dementia care, trauma-informed practice, and aged mental health
- Access to professional development opportunities tailored to your role and interests, including training in dementia care, trauma-informed practice, and mental health support.
- A vibrant, multidisciplinary team culture
- A chance to make a real difference in the lives of older Tasmanians

We value diversity, lived experience, and resilience. Whether you're a nurse, allied health professional, support worker, administrator,



or environmental services, your contribution matters.

What We Look For

We seek individuals who:

- Are compassionate, curious, and collaborative
- Value dignity, autonomy, and person-centred care
- Are committed to continuous learning and reflective practice
- Can work respectfully with families, carers, and diverse communities
- Hold relevant qualifications and registration (e.g., AHPRA, NMBA)

Our Promise to Job Seekers

Join us and be part of a team that:

- Champions staff wellbeing and celebrates resilience
- Supports career progression and leadership development
- Creates a safe, inclusive, and inspiring environment
- Delivers care that transforms lives—one moment, one act of kindness at a time

The Role

The Clinical Nurse Specialist – Rapid Access Service (RAS) plays a pivotal role within the Older Persons Mental Health Service, providing advanced specialist nursing assessment, intervention, and consultation for older people experiencing complex mental health concerns, behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia, and acute changes in clinical presentation. Working as part of a multidisciplinary team, the CNS contributes to timely assessment, triage, short-term intervention, and care coordination to support older Tasmanians to remain safely in their usual place of residence and reduce avoidable hospital presentations and admissions. The role works closely with residential aged care facilities, general practitioners, acute hospitals, aged care providers, families, and community services to ensure integrated, person-centred care.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced mental health nurse who is passionate about older persons’ mental health and dementia care. The CNS provides expert clinical advice and support to healthcare professionals, contributes to service development and quality improvement activities, and helps build capability across the aged care and health sectors through education, consultation, and collaborative care planning. Working within a supportive and highly skilled team, you will have the opportunity to utilise your specialist knowledge, exercise advanced clinical judgement, and make a meaningful difference in the lives of older people, their families, and carers across the community.

Note: - Please refer to the Statement of Duties for all the selection criteria of this position to address in your application.

Why Tasmania

The Department of Health Tasmania oversees various hospitals across the state, including the Royal Hobart Hospital, Launceston General Hospital, Northwest Regional Hospital, and Mersey Community Hospital, as well as district hospitals and ambulance services. Additionally, it provides community health, mental health, and primary healthcare services to the Tasmanian community through more than 300 sites.

Tasmania, Australia's only island state, offers unparalleled natural beauty and a luxurious lifestyle. Pursuing your health career in Tasmania’s public health system means building strong connections with colleagues and patients. It also means embracing a lifestyle where you can enjoy extraordinary experiences outside of work while making a significant impact on the community during work.

Details of appointment

Fixed term, full time, day worker position, working up to 76 hours per fortnight, commencing as soon as possible for twelve (12) months.

*notwithstanding hours to be negotiated with the successful applicant.

Applicants should note that, for a period of twelve months from the date of publication, this selection process may be used to fill subsequent or similar full time, part time, and casual vacancies.

Location:

Launceston North,



Tasmania

Salary

$109,767to $115,813 per annum. Our Employer 12% superannuation contribution is on top of this amount.

- Salary range is in accordance with Nurses and Midwives (Tasmania State Service) Agreement 2023.

In addition, the following allowances calculated on the salaried incremental point may be available:

- Post Graduate Allowance of up to 10% based on qualification type

Salary Packaging

You’ll have access to salary package a range of benefits including living expenses up to $9,010 + $2,650 in meal entertainment each FBT year + other benefits if eligible.

Advantages available to eligible candidates

- Travel and relocation assistance support available up to $10,000 for appointees from interstate.
- Professional development pathways.
- A range of leave entitlements, including study leave and Professional Development Support.
- Fitness Passport – You, and your family can access 40+ fitness facilities across Tasmania for just $14.50 per week per person, or $28.05 for a family.
- Department of Health has achieved the “Carer Accredited Employer Status” providing support to employees with caring responsibilities. (Find out more under the Carer Recognition Act 2023).

More information about our Employee Benefits can be found here

Eligibility

Successful applicants will be required to meet the essential criteria

- Registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia as a Registered Nurse
- Current Drivers Licence

Applicants should note the following criteria are desirable:

- Extensive, relevant psychiatric nursing experience and/or is credentialed as a Mental Health Nurse by the Australian and New Zealand College of Mental Health Nurses Inc. or equivalent.
- Holds, or is working towards, relevant tertiary qualifications

Note: - Please refer to the Application Guide for more information of pre-employment check.

Download the Statement of Duties and any Associated Documents

We encourage you to review the Statement of Duties, Applicant Guide, prior to applying for an overview of the duties, program, selection process and application guidance.

Statement of Duties:

- Generic Clinical Nurse Specialist - OPMHS G5 (April 2026).docx

Application Guide:

- Applicant Guide.docx

How to apply:

Apply Online. Please click the "Apply" button on this screen to ensure that important questions about you are answered.

You will be prompted to complete a 1-2 page application detailing your experience, skills and knowledge as they relate to the attached Statement of Duties. A separate statement addressing the selection criteria in the Statement of Duties is not required.

*only Recruitment Agencies specifically contracted are invited to provide applicants to this role

For more information:

Applicants who require further information are encouraged to contact the Contact person for detailed information about the vacancy.

Sophie Clear
Director of Allied Health
(03) •••• •985
[email protected]

What it is like working at the Department of Health?

Compassion, Accountability, Respect, Excellence are the key values to work in Department of Health. Listen to some of the lived experiences from within the department through some of our wonderful staff and hear about their journey in relocating to Tasmania!

Move to Tasmania | Tasmanian

One Health Podcast - Spotify

One Health Podcast - Apple

Tasmanian Health Careers | Tasmanian

Department of Health has achieved the “Carer Accredited Employer Status” providing support to employees with caring responsibilities. (Find out more under the Carer Recognition Act 2023).

Respecting diversity is the foundation of everything that Department of Health do. This allows us to instil trust and collaborate through honest and fair communication and helps cultivate an environment of growth and innovation. We strongly encourage applicants from key communities including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, LGBTIQA+ people, and people living with disabilities.

📌 Clinical Nurse Specialist (Launceston)
🏢 Department Of Health
📍 Launceston