Are you a Consultant Psychiatrist, seeking a diverse and unique role in regional Western Australia?

WA Country Health Service (WACHS) can offer Full time or Part Time Fixed Term appointments for up to 5 years with the possibility of extension/s. Flexible and/or Job share working arrangements, will be considered

What we are seeking in our candidates: 

The successful applicant/s will work as Consultant Psychiatrists and provide clinical leadership, advice, consultation, liaison and support to health care professionals, other providers, and agencies, and to carers and consumers throughout WACHS Mental Health.

As a Consultant in Psychiatry, you will be required to examine, assesses, diagnoses and treat patients with a variety of mental illnesses. You will be responsible for the provision of clinical assessment and psychiatric treatment for children and adolescents and/or adult populations for both admitted patients and in community Mental Health environments. In addition, you will be required to provide clinical governance across Mental Health Services, promote the organisational culture and principles of person-centred, trauma informed, and a recovery focussed service delivery. 

Leadership opportunities:

Suitable applicants to the Consultant Psychiatry Pool could be considered to provide leadership relief cover for positions such as Clinical Director of Mental Health, Head of Department Mental Health and Clinical Leads of Mental Health. Please indicate in your cover letter, your relevant experience pertaining to these positions to be considered in covering these roles.  

Remuneration:

The advertised salary range is based on the following classifications under the WA Health System –Medical Practitioners - AMA Industrial Agreement 2022. The ranges below are inclusive of base salary, professional development allowance, 11% superannuation and on call allowance (North of 26th Parallel only). The classification will be based on but not limited to factors such as your qualifications, experience, type of medical registration and location of the role.

• Consultant Year 1 to 9  -  South of 26^th Parallel – $375,863 to $473,828
• Consultant Year 1 to 6  -  North of 26^th Parallel - $514,413 to $611,183

WACHS Regional Mental Health Service Locations:

• Goldfields region – Kalgoorlie
• Great Southern region – Albany
• Kimberley region - Broome & Kununurra
• South West region - Bunbury & Busselton
• Midwest region – Geraldton
• Pilbara - Port Hedland & Karratha
• Wheatbelt region – Northam & Narrogin
• Telepsychiatry opportunities (ETS) - based at WACHS Central Office (East Perth) or at home. 
• Telepsychiatry opportunities - Virtual Infant, Child, Adolescent Mental Health Service (ICAMHS) - based at WACHS Central Office (East Perth) or at home.

About our Regions: 

The WA Country Health Service (WACHS) is the largest country health service in Australia and one of the biggest in the world, providing health services to approximately half a million people, including 45,000 Aboriginal people, over a vast 2.5 million square kilometres area.  WACHS hospitals provide a variety of health care services including primary health care, emergency and hospital services, population health, mental health, indigenous health, and aged care. Our dedicated and committed staff work hard to fulfil our purpose of 'working together for a healthier country WA, to deliver health services that support the health and wellbeing of individuals and communities in rural and remote Western Australia. WACHS consists of seven regions across WA with Central Office located in Perth.

WACHS Mental Health Values: 

WACHS provides high quality treatment, together with culturally secure patient care, for people experiencing mental health problems. Some core areas within this scope include alcohol and substance use disorders in rural and remote Western Australia.

At WACHS, we recognise the value and importance of good mental health for people living in rural and remote areas. We understand the importance and potential impact this can have on quality of life, and the ability to contribute as ongoing members of rural communities.

Mental health problems are now the second highest disease behind cancer in Western Australia. Nationally, suicide is the leading cause of death of our young people – accounting for one-third of deaths of Australians aged 15 to 24. These figures are even higher in Aboriginal communities and other vulnerable groups.

The WACHS Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2019 – 24 provides a five year framework and plan to strengthen the integration of mental health care within all regional health services, ensuring a seamless journey for the consumer and their family. It promotes integrated and supportive person-centred care which provides equitable access to high quality and contemporary mental health care, close to home and on country.

Successfully implementing the Strategy will be an iterative process across all regions. It relies on strong and collaborative leadership, innovation, and active strategic partnerships within, and external to WACHS. The regional mental health teams are supported by the WACHS Central Office Mental Health directorate.

Employee Benefits: 

Working for WACHS, our employees enjoy an amazing range of benefits which may include (in line with operational requirements):

• Competitive salary packages.
• Assistance with Australian work visas (if applicable).
• Attractive overseas and national relocation packages (discussions occur with regions once appointed).
• Flexible working and leave arrangements.
• Explore endless unique and extraordinary sights in one of the most diverse state in the world.
• Challenge yourself by experiencing greater clinical autonomy and responsibility in a supportive environment.
• Opportunity to make a difference and become an important member of the local community.

Other Conditions:  

WA Health engages staff in positions of trust and responsibility. WA Health policies require applicants to undertake criminal records screening and integrity checking as part of the appointment process. Referees may also be asked to comment on an applicant’s integrity and past demonstration of ethical behaviour.

This vacancy is subject to a Western Australian Working with Children (WWC) Check. For further information please refer to the WWC website at:
https://workingwithchildren.wa.gov.au

Please note this recruitment process requires completion of satisfactory Pre-Employment Health Assessment (PEHA).  Any offer of employment with WACHS is conditional on satisfactory PEHA to ensure you’re able to perform the inherent requirements of the position. An unsatisfactory PEHA will result in the offer of employment being withdrawn.  Please see the attached WACHS PEHA Policy for further information.

This is an active “open-ended” recruitment pool, and as such the following should be noted:

The panel will monitor this recruitment pool for applications and will assess on a regular basis. Suitable applicants will be placed in a pool from which appointments may be made when similar vacancies occur. Appointments may be made from this pool until 01/07/2025. 

Application Instructions:  

Applicants are advised to apply by via MedJobsWA – Position Ref 11217 by providing the following documents:

1. A statement addressing attached selection criteria. Maximum 4 pages.
2. A detailed curriculum vitae. Maximum 6 pages.

 Selection Criteria: Please refer to the attached JDF.

 Applicants are required to list regional locations in order of preference within the MedJobs application. Regional sites are to be ranked 1 (first preference) through to 7 (last preference). 

These documents should be complete and ready to attach prior to applying online. Please ensure sufficient time to complete the online application process as you will be required to answer various questions and attach your documentation. It is preferable for your referee to be a current supervisor or manager. 

Applicants must have a current, valid email address to apply online. This email address will be used for communication with applicants. If you experience difficulties while applying online, please contact medjobswa@health.wa.gov.au. 

As this is a Recruitment Pool process, candidate applications will be assessed in rounds on the following dates:

• 11^th August 2023
• 15^th September 2023
• 13^th October 2023
• 10^th November 2023
• 15^th December 2023
• 12^th January 2024
• 9^th February 2024
• 8^th March 2024
• 12^th April 2024
• 10^th May 2024
• 8^th June 2024
• 5^th July 2024 post pool closure

Candidates will be notified of outcomes shortly after pool assessments are concluded for each round.

Recruitment Agencies presenting medical practitioners to WACHS via the online MedJobsWA must be a WACHS approved supplier.

Enquiries are encouraged and should be emailed to: Dr Samir Heble - Director of Psychiatry - Samir.Heble@health.wa.gov.au

Lodgement is system generated.

LATE SUBMISSIONS OR EMAIL APPLICATIONS AFTER 01/07/2024 4:00PM, WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.