Become an RFDS Outback Mental Health Clinician
A rewarding career
The Royal Flying Doctor Service (Queensland Section) Central West and Outback Mental Health Team is committed to providing quality mental health services to rural and remote communities in Outback Queensland.
The multi-disciplinary team consists of clinicians with qualifications in psychology, social work, mental health nursing and occupational therapy.
While working independently, staff will enjoy the benefits of a supportive team, whether based locally or connecting remotely.
The team is dedicated to providing flexible and adaptable professional Mental Health services to meet the unique needs of people living in outback Queensland.
Work in some of the most remote communities across outback Queensland.
Our team of skilled mental health professionals, provides a high standard of clinical services to rural and remote communities.
As part of our commitment to providing quality mental health services to rural and remote communities, the RFDS (Queensland Section) operates six mental health programs across western Queensland. These programs include:
- Wellbeing Out West
- Children and Parenting Support – Longreach
- Drought Wellbeing Service
- Remote Wellbeing Service
- Psychological Therapies- Central West Mental Health and Wellbeing Service
- Low Intensity Mental Health- Central West Mental Health and Wellbeing Service
To ensure the service targets unique community needs, RFDS partners with a range of other key stakeholders strengthening and tailoring service while supporting community relationships, optimising service delivery.
As an RFDS Mental Health Clinician in the Central West and Outback Mental Health Team, you play a crucial role in providing mental health support to individuals in rural and remote areas.
Your duties may involve conducting assessments, formulating treatment plans, providing therapy and counselling services, and facilitating referrals to other healthcare providers when necessary.
Additionally, you play an important role in community education and awareness programs to promote mental health literacy and reduce stigma surrounding mental health in rural and remote areas.
Here’s a summary of the required skills, qualifications, and personal attributes for this role:
- Values and Trust: You should have strong values and the ability to build trust-based relationships with individuals in rural and remote communities. This is essential for establishing rapport and providing effective support and counselling.
- People and Communication Skills: Advanced people and communication skills are necessary for connecting with individuals from diverse backgrounds and understanding their unique needs and challenges. Being able to communicate effectively is key to providing appropriate and tailored mental health services.
- Independence and Teamwork: As an RFDS Mental Health Clinician, you need to be comfortable working independently while also being a team player. This allows you to contribute effectively within a multidisciplinary team and collaborate with colleagues to deliver comprehensive care.
- Passion for Remote Mental Health: Demonstrating a genuine passion for delivering quality mental health services to people living in remote areas is important.
- Empowerment and Creativity: Being highly skilled in empowering others is crucial for helping individuals in remote communities build resilience and develop effective coping strategies. Additionally, being a creative clinician allows you to adapt interventions and approaches to suit the unique circumstances and cultural contexts of each individual.
- Qualifications and Registrations: Registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) or membership with the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) is necessary. Qualifications in psychology, social work (accredited with AASW), occupational therapy, or mental health nursing, along with suitable credentials for mental health specialization, are required.
- Experience: Post-graduate experience in a relevant clinical field is essential. For a senior role, at least five years of post-graduate experience is typically required. Demonstrated experience in brief interventions, psychological therapies and counselling, and mental health education is also valuable.
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health and Wellbeing: Understanding the issues impacting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and wellbeing is important. Cultural sensitivity and awareness are crucial when providing support to these communities, as it allows for respectful and effective engagement.
Benefits of working at the RFDS
Working as an RFDS Mental Health Clinician in the Central West and Outback Mental Health Team is a fulfilling opportunity to contribute to the wellbeing of individuals and communities in remote areas while gaining unique experiences and working in a supportive and collaborative environment.
Working as an RFDS Mental Health Clinician in the Central West and Outback offers several benefits, including:
- Unique Experiences: Working in the heart of outback Queensland provides opportunities for diverse and enriching experiences that differ from urban environments. You'll have the chance to learn about the unique challenges and strengths of rural and remote communities.
- Making a Difference: By delivering essential mental health services in remote communities, you'll have a direct impact on improving people's everyday lives. Your work can contribute to reducing mental health disparities and improving overall community wellbeing.
- Flexibility: The role allows you to tailor your services to meet the specific needs of the community members you serve. This flexibility enables you to provide individualized care and adapt your approach based on the circumstances and resources available in remote areas.
- Supportive Environment: RFDS offers supportive managers and a team that brings valuable insight into the communities. Working collaboratively with your colleagues fosters a strong teamwork atmosphere, ensuring you have the necessary support and resources to excel in your role.
- Community Spirit: Joining the RFDS team offers a sense of community spirit, as you work alongside proud and passionate colleagues who share a common goal of delivering high quality healthcare services to rural and remote areas.
Extra benefits of working for the RFDS
- Attractive remuneration packages up to $105,000 + super
- Salary packaging of $18,500 increasing your take-home pay
- Great roster when you live in with no weekends or night work
- Live in- Remote Area Package:
- Weekly rent or mortgage assistance of up to $15,000pa and gratuity ($3,492.43) received after 12 months
- This increases annually up to an approximate amount of $7,000 after 3 years of service
- There is an additional remote area payment of $4,688
- Remote area travel assistance – 50% reduction of taxable value for FBT
- FIFO- all travel and accommodation provided and daily allowances (work 12 on, 9 off)
- Training and development opportunities with paid study leave
- Employee Assistance Program- advice for staff and their families
- Private health insurance discounts
- Remote area assistance:
- Remote area housing assistance - rental 50% reduction of taxable value for FBT
- Remote area residential (not vehicle) fuel 50% reduction of taxable value for FBT
- Remote area housing assistance - mortgage interest 50% reduction of taxable value for FBT
Where you could work
RFDS (Queensland Section) delivers more than 12,100 mental health consultation annually and has the largest mental health service of RFDS sections across Australia.
Our Outback Mental Health clinicians primarily operates from RFDS bases located in Charleville, Mount Isa, and Longreach reaching surrounding communities by road or air, ensuring vital mental health and wellbeing services are delivered to these remote outback communities.
The RFDS (Queensland Section) Values
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