Lead specialist forensic mental health practice and clinical care

Help build a new low secure service from the ground up

Shape recovery-focused, trauma-informed care in a dynamic team

Manage complex forensic mental health care, lead clinical practice and build a contemporary service focused on recovery, safety and better outcomes.

Employment Type: Permanent Part Time

Position Classification: Clinical Nurse Consultant Grade 2

Remuneration: $75.35 - $76.85 per hour

Hours Per Week: 23

Location: Blacktown

Where you'll be working

Join Mental Health Services at Budyari Gilli, Blacktown Hospital, Western Sydney Local Health District (WSLHD), as we establish a new specialist forensic mental health service. Opening 13 October 2026, the 20-bed Low Secure Forensic Mental Health Inpatient Unit presents an exciting opportunity to help shape a service, team culture and model of care from day one.

Working alongside Budyari Gamada and in partnership with the Justice Health and Forensic Mental Health Network, you'll contribute to an integrated forensic mental health system supporting people with complex mental health needs across NSW.

- Be part of a new specialist service within one of Australia's fastest-growing and most diverse health districts.

- Work within a collaborative multidisciplinary team committed to recovery-oriented and trauma-informed care.

- Provide specialist clinical leadership across adult Community Mental Health Teams and forensic mental health services.

- Contribute to a culture of evidence-based practice, education, research, innovation and continuous improvement.

- Help deliver the WSLHD vision of a world-class mental health service through education and research.

What you'll be doing

As an experienced Clinical Nurse Consultant, you'll provide expert forensic mental health nursing leadership, supporting clinicians and consumers across complex clinical environments. You'll combine advanced clinical judgement with solid risk management, consultation, education and service development expertise.

- Provide specialist forensic clinical assessment, short-term crisis resolution and home treatment, including comprehensive risk assessment, management and review.

- Lead and support the management of complex consumers, including regular specimen collection (UDS), START risk assessments and preparation of reports for the Mental Health Review Tribunal (MHRT).

- Provide clinical consultancy, supervision, mentoring, education and training to mental health clinicians, while strengthening clinical supervision practices across the service.





- Lead quality improvement, service development, research and evidence-based practice initiatives that enhance clinical outcomes, safety and consumer experience.

- Build strong partnerships across inpatient, community, primary health and forensic services to support continuity of care, clinical communication and positive patient outcomes.

About you

We are seeking an experienced and highly skilled Clinical Nurse Consultant with expertise in forensic mental health nursing to join our team.

This role requires advanced clinical judgment, strong risk assessment and management skills, and the ability to work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team.

The successful candidate will have extensive experience managing complex mental health consumers within legal and custodial frameworks, demonstrating a comprehensive understanding of trauma-informed care, de-escalation strategies, and evidence-based interventions. Exceptional leadership, communication, and problem-solving abilities are essential to ensure the successful candidate is a senior clinical leader within a team dedicated to delivering high-quality, recovery orientated care in a dynamic and challenging environment.

Make your next career move count

Bring your forensic mental health expertise to a service where your leadership can make a lasting difference. Join WSLHD and help build the future of specialist mental health care in Western Sydney. If you're ready to lead, innovate and make a meaningful difference for consumers, we want to hear from you. Apply now and be part of this exciting new service from day one.

How to Apply

Apply online by submitting your resume and addressing the criteria listed below by providing examples that demonstrate your ability before the closing date.

Essential Requirements:

- Qualification: Post Registration Qualification or experience deemed appropriate by Employer in forensic Mental Health Nursing

- Registration: Current unrestricted Authority to Practice as a Registered Nurse with AHPRA

Selection Criteria:

- Minimum five years full time equivalent post registration qualification experience,



with at least three years full time equivalent experience in the speciality and post graduate qualification in field of practice or other experience/qualifications deemed appropriate by organisation.

- Proven clinical leadership skills and an ability to work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary framework with a demonstrated commitment to excellence in nursing/midwifery practice.

- Demonstrated advanced communication and inter-personal skills across a variety of mediums and proven application of the practice development framework to clinical practice, including effective verbal, written and negotiation skills and intermediate computer skills.

- Demonstrated ability to implement changes and develop direction in clinical practice by the initiation, utilisation and review of evidence based research

- Demonstrated leadership in strategic and clinical forensic service planning and expertise in the management of organisational and cultural change. In particular, to be aware of the Forensic Clinical Services plan and any other planning service documents.

- Proven advanced skills in forensic clinical forensic teaching, competency in the use of contemporary information systems and evidence of ability to direct the development of educational programs.

- Proven clinical expertise in complex client-centered consultancy with the ability to work independently

- Current NSW Drivers License (P2 acceptable)

Requisition ID: REQ690097

Applications Close: 22nd September 2026

Need more information ?

- - Review the detailed Position Description for insights into role requirements and criteria.

- Explore the selection process, employment checks, outcomes and notifications.

- For inquiries about the role, contact Janine Van Bruinessen on [email protected]

People with disabilities who meet the selection criteria are encouraged to apply; and where required, WSLHD will implement reasonable adjustment consistent with industry standard.

Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people are encouraged to apply.

Stepping

Up aims to assist Aboriginal job applicants by providing information about applying for roles in NSW Health organisations.

Blacktown hospital car parking allocation model is changing. There is a managed waitlist for parking for new staff commencing at Blacktown Hospital. This does not apply to staff with a disability parking permit.

Please note: To be eligible for permanent appointment to a position in NSW Health, you must have an Australian citizenship or permanent Australian residency.

📌 Clinical Nurse Consultant Grade 2 - Forensic Mental Health (Blacktown)
🏢 NSW Health
📍 Blacktown