WSLHD Mental Health Service
Permanent 0.5 FTE Staff Specialist or
Fixed Term (until 30/06/2027) Visiting Medical Officer
PCYMHS Safeguards Team To apply for this position, please complete an online application by clicking on the link below:
https://myclinicalprofile.com.au/OpenPositionLogin.aspx?UniqueId=449a674d-7c72-443c-8abe-368cc7aafe28
Applications must be received by 5pm on the advertising closing date.
APPLICATIONS CLOSE 27 OCTOBER 2026
Applications are invited from suitably registered and qualified Child and Adolescent Psychiatrists for the above position in the Western Sydney Local Health District (WSLHD) who have demonstrated skills and experience with:
- Assessment, diagnosis and management of symptoms of complex mental ill health presenting in child & adolescents aged 0 – 17 years in the context of a multidisciplinary team.
- Managing complex presentations which include experiences of trauma and disrupted attachment, neurodevelopmental disorders, behavioural and emotional disorders within a systemic framework.
- Ability to identify, document and escalate any child safety issues and have knowledge of the NSW child protection legislation.
- Ability to communicate effectively with adolescents, families and carers and use clear trauma informed culturally safe communication.
Successful applicants will be highly motivated to work in a rewarding clinical practice with an established multidisciplinary Community Child & Adolescent Mental Health team, located across WSLHD at Rupertswood on the Mt Druitt Hospital campus, and Redbank House Westmead Hospital.
This role includes a range of opportunities for supervision, consultation, teaching, and research. Successful applicants will be expected to provide admitting, consultative, and on-call services within the specialty as determined and required by the District.
Applicants expecting to be awarded their Fellowship and Certificate of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry within three months, may be considered. If successful, the applicant may not be subsequently eligible to commence their appointment until after the relevant qualifications and requirements are formally completed.
The Perinatal, Child and Youth Mental Health Service in WSLHD provides inpatient and community mental health services to children, adolescents and families of Western Sydney impacted by symptoms of mental illness and mental distress.
WSLHD is home to a rapidly growing multicultural population, as well as the largest metropolitan Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population in Australia. WSLHD has higher than average rates of multiple psychosocial disadvantage, which impacts adversely on mental health and wellbeing. There are ongoing opportunities within this role for collaboration with local internal and external service providers to improve mental health outcomes for this group.
The Service is currently undergoing a period of transition as we seek to meet the increasing clinical need for effective, efficient and accountable service delivery with Models of Care that are intrinsically client and family-centred and are informed by the impacts of transgenerational trauma.
The Safeguards Child and Adolescent Mental Health Team aims to provide timely access Child, Adolescent and Family-focused mental health support - including assessment and brief therapeutic interventions (up to 6 weeks) in the community. The team provide early intervention, referrals when necessary and seeks to reduce the need for emergency department presentations.
Essential Requirements for Appointment
- Possess or be eligible for registration with the Medical Board of Australia and Fellowship of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists or equivalent as provided for in the Staff Specialists (State) Award/ Health Insurance Act 1997.
- Sound clinical knowledge in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry demonstrated by effective clinical practice in both inpatient and community mental health environments, including the impacts of trauma and attachment disruption on developmental trajectory and family-inclusive practice.
- Demonstrated high level skills and attributes appropriate for practice as a Senior Medical Practitioner including:
· Written and verbal interpersonal and communication skills.
· Ability to work effectively and proactively with a multidisciplinary community child and adolescent mental health team.
· Experience and involvement in quality assurance activities and evidence-based best practice.
· Commitment to teaching and supervision.
- Evidence of continuing medical education and self-monitoring reflective practice that supports credentialling to the position and are commensurate with the scope of practice requirements of the position.
- Familiarity with research concepts and commitment to support basic, applied or clinical research within the department.
Conditions of appointment are in accordance with the Staff Specialists (State) Award/ Health Services Act 1997 and Public Hospitals (Visiting Medical Officers Sessional Contracts) Determination 2014.
Selection Criteria
- Possess or be eligible for registration with the Medical Board of Australia and Fellowship of the RANZCP or equivalent as provided for in the Staff Specialists (State) Award/Health Insurance Act 1997.
Must have Australian Citizenship or Permanent Australian Residency. Applicants who are to be awarded Fellowship within 3 months are welcome to apply.
- Successful applicants will hold a Certificate of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and have experience in child and adolescent mental health service provision.
- Demonstrated skills and attitudes appropriate for practice as a Senior Medical Practitioner including:
o Proven ability to work effectively and harmoniously with medical and other health service colleagues as part of a multi-disciplinary health care team.
o Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with patients and colleagues.
o Excellent organisational, supervision and collaboration skills with demonstrated ability to build respectful relationships.
o Maintaining and developing knowledge, skills and professional performance to the level required for contemporary practice.
o Experience and involvement in quality assurance activities and translation of research into practice to improve patient safety and quality.
- Demonstrated ability to manage time and resources efficiently and contributing to the effectiveness and efficiency of the health care system.
- Demonstrated aptitude for clinical leadership which is evidenced by:
o Systems thinking and risk-management aptitude.
o Commitment to self -care and personal development.
o Capacity to maintain personal integrity, tolerate stress and demonstrate resilience.
o Commitment to building relationships, leading, and developing others.
o Results and outcome focused.
- Commitment to valuable governance, achieving results and managing risks.
- Demonstrated commitment to Education, Training and Research, as applicable to the position.
Working With Children Check
Applicants must provide evidence of a Working with Children Check issued by the Office of Communities Commission for Children and Young People. For more information on how to apply for the clearance, please visit the Commission for Children and Young People website: https://ocg.nsw.gov.au/working-children-check The Position Description can be located via e-credential, please refer to the link below.
To apply for this position, please complete an online application by clicking on the link below:
https://myclinicalprofile.com.au/OpenPositionLogin.aspx?UniqueId=449a674d-7c72-443c-8abe-368cc7aafe28
Applications must be received by 5pm on the advertising closing date.
APPLICATIONS CLOSE 27 OCTOBER 2026
CONTACT
Dr Lisa Newling Clinical Director PCYMHS
8890 6577
[email protected]
Sue Mallick A/Operations Manager PCYMHS
8890 6577
[email protected]
If you are having any issues regarding your application via e-credential, please contact the Specialist Medical and Dental Recruitment Unit on (02) 8838 2094 or via e-mail:
[email protected]
📌 Permanent 0.5 FTE Staff Specialist or Fixed Term (until 30/06/2027) Visiting Medical Officer - PCYMHS Safeguards Team - WSLHD Mental Health Service | APPLY VIA ECREDENTIAL (Australia)
🏢 NSW Health
📍 Australia