Registered Nurse - Mental Health
- Provide clinical and mental health support for detainees with complex mental health needs.
- Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team to deliver evidence-based mental health care.
- Participate in assessments, crisis management, and discharge planning.
- Identified Position - Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Peoples
- Full Time / Part Time / Casual | Modern Nurses Award
- Melbourne | Villawood (Sydney) | Brisbane
About Healthcare Australia - Primary Health Services
Healthcare Australia's Primary Health Services (PHS) division delivers essential frontline health care within Australia's immigration detention network. Working within multidisciplinary teams across multiple sites, PHS clinicians are committed to providing person-centred, dignified care. Our mission: to provide exceptional care, a strong sense of purpose for our staff and be a valued partner to our clients.
Identified Position Statement: These positions are open exclusively to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples. This is a special measure under s.12 of the Racial Discrimination Act 1975 (Cth) and equivalent State and Territory legislation.
About the Role
The Mental Health Registered Nurse provides clinical and mental health support for people in detention with complex mental health presentations and risk. The role encompasses recovery plan development, medication management, crisis intervention, referrals and discharge planning, working closely with the multidisciplinary team and key stakeholders. Operating within a nurse-led clinic model with virtual care centre support outside of clinic hours, this role suits clinicians with recent acute experience who are comfortable working at a different pace to hospitals. You will support detainees with complex, multifaceted mental health needs in a culturally diverse environment - work that is both clinically challenging and deeply meaningful. For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander nurses, the cross-cultural dimensions of this work make it a particularly resonant opportunity.
Key Duties
- Work collaboratively within the primary health care team using a multidisciplinary, evidence-based approach to service delivery.
- Participate in assessment, planning and implementation of holistic, recovery-oriented mental health care for individual detainee needs.
- Provide mental health interventions including symptom management, physical health monitoring, therapeutic interventions and crisis management.
- Undertake timely completion of mental health assessments, risk assessments, crisis plans, psychological treatment documentation and discharge summaries.
- Liaise with internal and external stakeholders; participate in case conferences and contribute to continuous service improvement.
- Maintain compliance with relevant legislation, OHS responsibilities and documentation standards.
Essential Attributes / Skills / Experience
- General unrestricted registration by AHPRA as a Registered Nurse (Division 1).
- Postgraduate qualification in mental health, university-issued at AQF Level 8 or higher.
- Minimum 5 years clinical nursing experience (non-Telehealth) in an operational healthcare setting.
- Extensive experience in mental health care including assessments, crisis intervention, psychoeducation and evidence-based treatment for severe mental health and/or substance use presentations.
- Sound understanding of coordinated, multidisciplinary approaches to mental health service delivery.
- High level communication skills, critical thinking ability, and adaptability to meet changing client needs.
- Working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite and awareness of relevant legislation.
What's on Offer
- Salary packaging - an ATO approved way to pay for eligible expenses from your pre-tax salary, meaning you take home more of your pay.
- Free Employee Assistance Program - confidential, professional counselling for personal or work-related matters, also available to immediate family members.
- Discounts and perks - access to exclusive partner programs offering discounts on health insurance, retail and leisure activities.
- Impactful, socially meaningful work - make a real difference to the health and wellbeing of people in the detention system.
- Free onsite parking - convenient, stress-free parking at your worksite.
How to Apply
Click APPLY or contact Marisa Conlon, Senior Consultant at marisa@fprs.com.au for a confidential conversation about these roles.
FIRST PEOPLE Recruitment Solutions is a majority Aboriginal owned agency providing contingent contracts, fixed term contracts and permanent recruitment solutions to Government and Corporate Australia.
Our Head Office is based in Canberra with a national reach to all the states and territories, regional and remote areas of Australia.
FIRST PEOPLE Recruitment Solutions acknowledges the traditional owners of country throughout Australia and recognises their continuing connection to land, waters and community. We pay our respect to them and their cultures; and to elders past, present and emerging.
Consultant
marisa@fprs.com.au
Reference number: 200004275
Profession:Science, Medical and HealthMental Health
Company: First People Recruitment Solutions
Date posted: 16th Sep, 2026
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