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

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 until 30 June 2027.

*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:

Burnie North West, Tasmania

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 West 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.

For more information:

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

Sophie Explicit
Director of Allied Health
(03) 6777 4985
[email protected]

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📌 Clinical Nurse Specialist - Burnie, Tasmania (Upper Burnie)
🏢 Australian College of Nursing
📍 Upper Burnie