Job Description

Senior Clinician

Victorian Fixated Threat Assessment Centre (VFTAC)

Grade: RPN4

Location: Based at Victoria Police Command Complex, Spencer St, Melbourne. May be required to work at other sites from time to time.

$124,914 - $134,523 + Super + Benefits

Full-time fixed term secondment to October 2027

FORENSICARE:

Forensicare (Victorian Institute of Forensic Mental Health) is Victoria’s specialist provider of forensic mental health services. We deliver recovery-focused programs that support consumers living with serious mental illness or problematic behaviours who are connected to, or at risk of contact with, the justice system, across a variety of settings including community-based services, inpatient units, and secure environments throughout Victoria.

VICTORIAN FIXATED THREAT ASSESSMENT CENTRE (VFTAC)

The Victorian Fixated Threat Assessment Centre (VFTAC) is a state-wide service jointly staffed by a team of senior forensic mental health clinicians, and senior police officers. VFTAC deals specifically with fixated individuals and grievance fuelled lone actors who pose threats, many of whom have a major mental illness or current mental health needs. The primary purpose of the service is to assess individuals of concern using combined intelligence holdings, and develop management plans which may involve engaging or re engaging the individual with mental health services. Through intervention with identified risk factors

including treatment of mental illness, potential risks towards the community are reduced. A Memorandum of Understanding between Forensicare and Victoria Police facilitates appropriate exchange of information. The VFTAC model is proactive, preventative, and targeted towards early intervention

POSITION OBJECTIVE:

The Senior Clinician, Victorian Fixated Threat Assessment Centre is responsible for delivering specialist mental health services that in collaboration with Victoria Police seek to improve client and community outcomes in relation to fixated and grievance fuelled individuals who pose threats.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Collect mental health information on cases referred from established databases and other available sources, and exchange relevant information with VFTAC police according to information management procedures.
• In conjunction with VFTAC police undertake structured risk assessments using standardised tools, and for cases displaying elevated concern collaboratively develop with police further assessment and intervention plans.
• Undertake telephone and direct mental health assessments as required for the purposes of determining risk issues and appropriate interventions to assist those with major mental health needs.
• Following assessment, and where indicated, formulate with police intervention and mental health linkage strategies.
• Enter initial and updated case information into the Victorian public mental health database, as well as other data systems as required, and assist in managing case and service activity data.
• In conjunction with other VFTAC staff, ensure all open cases are followed up including those in hospital or incarcerated, with case information fed back to other VFTAC team members, and used in refining and updating risk and intervention decisions.

KEY SELECTION CRITERIA:

• Demonstrated commitment to mental health consumer recovery.
• Australian Citizen.
• At least five years of experience in providing clinical services in forensic mental health.
• Experience in and understanding of best practice methods in the specific field of threat assessment

with the ability to independently deliver associated clinical and risk oriented services.

• Extensive knowledge of relevant legislation, the mental health system, and the criminal justice system.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, and the ability to liaise and communicate

effectively with stakeholders including with a range of external bodies, agencies and government authorities.

• Ability to deliver training and education with an awareness of service and organisational needs.

To view the full position description, please view here

Contact Vicki Pino for enquires at vicki.pino@forensicare.vic.gov.au

Please note, applications will be reviewed and accessed as received. Advertising may close earlier than indicated.

ELIGIBILITY

• Influenza and Immunisation Evidence
• This position is subject to a Police Check

Forensicare is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to attracting and developing a diverse workforce which reflects the community we serve. We encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people who identify as LGBTQI, people with a lived experience of disability, as well as people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. Forensicare promotes our guiding principles of RESPONSIVENESS, INTEGRITY, IMPARTIALITY, ACCOUNTABILITY, RESPECT, LEADERSHIP, HUMAN RIGHTS; and promotes behaviours that are consistent with these values at all times. Forensicare is an equal opportunity employer and offers a smoke free environment.