Mental Health Centre After Hours Receptionist

Employment Type: Temporary Part Time until October 2027
Position Classification: Administration Officer Level 2
Remuneration: $34.93 - $36.09 Per Hour + Super 
Hours Per Week: 49
Requisition ID: REQ689377
Location: Mater Mental Health Centre Waratah
Closing Date: Sunday 27 September 2026

Make a difference as the first point of contact

Are you friendly, confident and organised, with a passion for providing excellent customer service? The HNE Mater Mental Health Centre is seeking a Mental Health Centre After Hours Receptionist to join our team and provide a professional, welcoming and supportive service to patients, visitors and staff.

Located at the Mater Campus in Waratah, the HNE Mater Mental Health Centre is a 100-bed acute mental health inpatient facility. As the first point of contact for the Centre after hours, you will play an important role in supporting the smooth, safe and efficient operation of the facility.

About the team

You will be part of the Mental Health Clinical Information Service and an important member of the broader Mental Health Centre team.

Working closely with administration staff and multidisciplinary clinical teams across the Centre, you will have the opportunity to build strong working relationships with a diverse range of people.

The reception area is a busy environment, with staff and visitors coming and going throughout the day. As the primary position based at the main reception desk after hours, you will have the opportunity to take ownership of your responsibilities while working collaboratively with others.

You will also work closely with the Mental Health Centre Receptionist, supporting each other to ensure reception and administrative functions operate smoothly.

About the role

As the Mental Health Centre After Hours Receptionist, you will:

• Provide a friendly, professional and welcoming reception service to patients, visitors and staff.
• Operate the Centre's switchboard and respond appropriately to enquiries.
• Monitor access to the Centre and support a safe and secure environment.
• Provide a range of administrative support to the Mental Health Centre.
• Coordinate car bookings and visitor lockers.
• Maintain clinical forms, pamphlets and information resources throughout the Centre.
• Work collaboratively with administration and multidisciplinary clinical teams.
• Support the smooth operation of the Centre outside of standard business hours.

This position works across a 7-day rotating roster, including:

• Monday to Friday: 3:00 pm – 8:30 pm
• Weekends: 8:00 am – 8:00 pm

About you

We are looking for someone who is friendly, flexible, confident, eager to learn and willing to take on new challenges.

You will have excellent communication and interpersonal skills, enabling you to build positive relationships with patients, visitors and staff and work effectively across a multidisciplinary environment.

The successful candidate will demonstrate:

• A strong commitment to providing high-quality customer service.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• The ability to work confidently both independently and collaboratively.
• Strong core administrative and organisational skills.
• The ability to problem solve, manage challenges and resolve conflict appropriately.
• A willingness to accept constructive feedback and continually develop your skills.
• An understanding of the challenges associated with working in an acute mental health environment.

Previous experience working in a Mental Health Service is not essential. What is essential is an understanding of, and respect for, the unique challenges associated with working in an acute mental health setting.

Essential Criteria 

• Eligible to drive in NSW

Training and support

You don't need to know everything on day one. Successful candidates will receive extensive training and ongoing support to help you become confident in the role.

Your initial training will include mandatory and corporate training, as well as online training in the relevant IT systems. This will be followed by face-to-face and on-the-job training through a supportive buddy system.

You will also have access to well-documented processes and guides to support you in your day-to-day responsibilities.

Why join Hunter New England Health?

• Be part of one of the largest and most diverse Local Health Districts in NSW
• Influence digital solutions that directly support patient care and clinical outcomes
• Salary packaging options
• Work collaboratively with passionate clinicians and digital health professionals
• Enjoy career development opportunities within NSW Health
• Make a real difference across a large, complex health service
• Fitness Passport for you and your family
  
   

What you'll be doing

Information for Applicants:

Applicants will be assessed against the essential requirements and selection criteria contained within the position description (link below). For assistance addressing selection criteria visit: https://bit.ly/3vL5fq2

Stepping Up Website is a resource designed to help indigenous job applicants apply for positions in NSW Health. For more information, please visit: https://bit.ly/HNEHealthSteppingUp

This is a Category A position. Recommended applicants will be reviewed for compliance with NSW Health policy directive PD2024_015: Occupational Assessment, Screening and Vaccination against Specified Infectious Diseases for Category A positions prior to offer. All new employees must agree to comply with the requirements outlined in the policy. 

Salary Packaging: is beneficial to most Hunter New England Health employees and may increase your take-home pay! Salary package a range of personal expenses including novated motor vehicle leases, relocation expenses, and HECS/HELP debt. Find out more by contacting SalaryPackagingPLUS! via nswhealth@salarypackagingplus.com.au or 1300 40 25 23.

To be eligible for permanent employment in this position you must be an Australian Citizen, or a permanent resident of Australia, or a New Zealand citizen with a current New Zealand Passport. Employment of a temporary visa holder may only occur if no suitable local candidate is identified for the position; in this instance, you may only be offered employment in line with the conditions and expiry date of your visa. 

We are unable to accommodate visa sponsorship for applicants requiring a visa for this position.   

At Hunter New England Local Health District, we are an inclusive employer dedicated to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and welcoming workplace.  Our commitment to a workforce that reflects the community we care for is essential for delivering the highest quality healthcare to our community. We encourage people with diverse lived experiences to apply. If you require any accommodations or adjustments to the recruitment process please let us know when you apply or at any stage of the process. We will work with you to meet your needs and create the best possible experience. Please contact hnelhd-diversity@health.nsw.gov.au for confidential support to ensure an equitable, barrier-free application process.

Hunter New England Health employees may be eligible for a range of benefits such as allocated days off (ADO) for full time employees, long service leave, paid maternity leave, and salary packaging options including meal expenses. 

An eligibility list will be created for future temporary part time vacancies.

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