Senior Mental Health Clinician
Senior Mental Health Clinician
Join RFDS to support remote FNQ communities with evidence‑based mental health care and meaningful, culturally informed engagement.
Classifications
- Healthcare & Medicine
- Mental Health
- Full-time
Key points
- 3‑week FIFO roster with 3 RDO's, no nights or weekends.
- Brisbane or Cairns Based. All travel and Accommodation included.
- Purpose driven impact with autonomy!
Description
The Royal Flying Doctor Service (Queensland Section) (RFDS) is looking for a Senior Mental Health Clinician to support community health and well-being across Far North Queensland. The Far North Mental Health and Wellbeing Service offers free counselling and support to people living and working in rural and remote areas.
In this role, you will be dedicated to client-centred care and improving the well-being of people in the communities we serve. On a day-to-day basis, you will be involved in the delivery of psychological therapies to people presenting with mild to moderate mental health needs. In remote locations, you will work with people from various cultures and will have the flexibility to provide care tailored to their needs.
Who are we looking for?
We are looking for Clinicians who meet the following criteria;
- Qualification in Psychology, Social Work (Accredited with AASW), Occupational Therapy or Mental Health Nursing (Suitable for Mental Health credentialing)
- Registration with AHPRA or membership of the AASW
- Postgraduate experience as a clinician with a minimum of five years in a relevant clinical field
- Demonstrated experience in brief interventions and therapeutic counselling with clients across the lifespan
- Demonstrated experience and respectful understanding of cultural diversity, including traditional Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander views of health and wellness
Location, travel and roster
This full-time role is based on Mornington Island, with fly-in, fly-out (FIFO) travel available from Brisbane or Cairns. You’ll fly into community on Monday, deliver services throughout the week, and fly out on Friday.
During your time on Mornington Island, you will stay overnight in community for up to four nights per week. Accommodation, a vehicle and daily allowances will be provided.
The role operates on a three-week roster:
- Weeks 1 and 2: Work on Mornington Island under the FIFO arrangement outlined above.
- Week 3: Complete two administration days from either the RFDS Cairns or RFDS Brisbane base, followed by three rostered days off (RDOs).
This roster arrangement not quite what you are looking for? We are accepting expressions of interest for the Far North Mental Health team based in Cairns, with fly-in, fly-out (FIFO) travel to Cape York Peninsula communities. You’ll work in the community Monday to Thursday, and every second week, have an admin day at the RFDS Cairns Base. You will stay overnight in the communities (up to 3 nights per week), where we’ll provide accommodation, a vehicle, and daily allowances.
What might a typical day look like?
As part of the Primary Health Care team, you will travel to Mornington Island alongside an RFDS Medical Officer, RFDS Primary Health Care Nurses and an Aboriginal Health Practitioner. Together, the team provides weekly support to the local community. As a member of the Mental Health team, you will:
- Work with the community to deliver and develop culturally appropriate, holistic services
- Be responsible for the intake, triage, assessment and ongoing treatment of any clients referred to the program
- Provide a range of evidence-based clinical interventions
- Undertaking complex, holistic clinical assessments
- Deliver ongoing psychological therapies and counselling
- Conducting case reviews
- Collaborating with other service providers supporting our inter-agency networks
The Royal Flying Doctor Service (Queensland Section) (RFDS) acknowledges the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the first inhabitants of the nation and the Traditional Custodians of the land. The RFDS is committed to eliminating all forms of discrimination in the provision of healthcare. We embrace diversity and welcome all people irrespective of faith, ethnicity, sexual orientation or gender identity.
The RFDS is committed to the protection of human and legal rights, including the rights of children, young people and adults to be safe, heard and cared for. In upholding the Universal Principle, RFDS is committed to creating an organisational environment that ensures Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and their families feel welcome, safe, valued, included and respected.
Why Join the RFDS Mental Health and Wellbeing Service?
The connections you establish while working in small communities and witnessing people thrive will be truly rewarding as you contribute to a trusted brand within the communities we serve. In this role, you will join a team of highly skilled professionals renowned among their peers for the complexity of their work and the remarkable level of independence it demands. The following benefits will also be provided to you;
- Attractive remuneration up to $121 468 + Super
- Salary packaging of $18,500, increasing your take-home pay
- Daily Allowances whilst you are working on Mornington Island
- Additional Education Allowances for master’s and PhD qualifications
- Training and development opportunities with paid study leave
- Employee Assistance Program- advice for staff and their families (support, nutrition & financial)
- Novated leasing options
- Private health insurance discounts
- Fitness Passport membership (discounted access to gyms and health centres for staff and families)
- RemServ Rewards, where members receive cashback benefits on purchases from hundreds of leading Australian retailers, including groceries, fashion, technology and travel
Interested?
If you would like any further information, please contact Talent Acquisition at recruitment@rfdsqld.com.au or call 07 3852 7553. Alternatively, please get in touch with the Manager of the Far North Mental Health team, Jos Middleton, at jmiddleton@rfdsqld.com.au
This position will be open until the 10th of July 2026. If you're interested, we encourage you to apply soon, as we’ll start reviewing applications before the deadline.
Pre-employment requirements
Candidates must hold a current, unrestricted Australian driver’s licence. Before appointment, the successful candidate will also be required to:
- Provide certified copies of relevant qualifications and registrations.
- Provide evidence of immunity or vaccination against vaccine-preventable diseases.
- Complete the RFDS credentialing process.
- You may be required to undergo a pre-employment medical, which may include drug and alcohol testing.
- Non-AHPRA registered professionals will need to undertake a criminal history check and obtain a blue card.
