Mental Health Department Head - Psychology

Be the driving force behind a growing inpatient psychology service at the heart of mental health care.

Remuneration: $144,702 - $152,992 per annum + super + salary packaging
Employment Type: Permanent Full Time
Position Classification: Snr Clinical Psychologist
Location: Mater Mental Health Centre, Waratah
Hours Per Week: 38
Requisition ID: REQ625670
Applications Close: Monday, 26th January 2026


Shape the future of inpatient psychology services
Are you an experienced and dynamic Psychologist ready to step into a senior leadership role?
Are you passionate about building services, leading people, and making a lasting impact on consumer care?

This is a rare opportunity to lead and continue building the district’s first inpatient Psychology Department, based at The Mater Mental Health Centre, Waratah.

Where you'll be working:
You will be based at the Mater Mental Health Centre in Waratah and will work to ensure consistent, high-quality psychology services are provided for consumers with complex mental health needs. You will join a committed multidisciplinary environment where psychology is valued, leadership is visible, and innovation is encouraged.

Our culture:
Our workplace culture is collaborative, values-driven and consumer-focused. We are proud of a leadership team that works closely together, supports professional autonomy, and champions excellence in care. You will be empowered to lead with influence, contribute to strategic decisions, and shape a psychology service that is respected across the organisation.

About the role:
As Head of Department – Psychology, you will provide both clinical leadership and operational management of psychology services across inpatient wards.

A typical week will see you:

• Leading and supporting a team of psychologists to deliver high-quality, evidence-based care
• Managing workforce functions including recruitment, induction, rostering, leave, performance reviews and professional development
• Providing expert psychological assessment, formulation and treatment to consumers (individual and group-based)
• Representing psychology at senior forums and advising on psychological matters at all organisational levels
• Ensuring professional standards, qualifications, supervision and grading are maintained across the department
• Managing departmental resources across multiple sites to meet service delivery and budget targets
• Contributing to service evaluation, clinical outcome monitoring, education and training initiatives
• Supervising postgraduate provisional psychologists where appropriate
• Working closely within a multidisciplinary team to deliver integrated, person-centred care

This role offers a unique blend of hands-on clinical practice and strategic leadership, with the opportunity to genuinely shape how inpatient psychology services are delivered now and into the future.

How you'll be supported:
You will be well supported to succeed in this role. The successful applicant will:

• Be supported by the Senior Nurse Manager Operations and an Administrative Leadership Team Assistant
• Be an integral member of a collaborative Senior Leadership Team
• Receive a comprehensive orientation tailored to both the clinical and leadership aspects of the role
• Have access to ongoing professional development, leadership training and education opportunities
• Be encouraged and supported to continue developing as both a clinician and a leader

Requirements:

• Full registration as a psychologist with AHPRA, a Masters degree or higher in Clinical Psychology, Clinical Neuropsychology, or some other recognised clinical area in psychology that the employer deems relevant to the function of the position and corresponding AHPRA endorsement.

• Eligibility to drive in NSW.

What we can offer you:
At Hunter New England Health, enjoy a career where you're challenged by interesting work and surrounded by spectacular locations. You'll contribute to the team enriching health in millions of ways every day. On top of this we also offer: 

• Sustainable Healthcare: Together towards zero 

• Proximity to shopping and other services 

• Monthly Allocated Days Off (for full-time employees) 

• 4 weeks annual leave (pro-rata for part time employees) 

• Paid parental leave (for eligible employees) - giving you the opportunity for true Worklife balance 

• Salary packaging options - up to $11,600 plus novated leasing 

• Fitness Passport for health and well-being - discounted gym options for you and your family 

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for staff and family members 

Additional information:

• An eligibility list will be created for future permanent full or part time and temporary full or part time vacancies.

• 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.

How to apply:
Click apply online, submit your information and resume, and address the criteria listed below providing examples that demonstrate your ability.

1. Demonstrated ability to provide trauma informed, culturally competent professional and clinical leadership when working with complex situations and to foster a team culture that is collaborative and solution focused.

2. Demonstrated skills and understanding of operational management with clinical expertise in mental health care and leadership including the ability to manage and supervise staff working across multiple sites or disciplines if required.

3. Demonstrated capability to lead quality improvement projects across a service utilizing recognised quality improvement tools & processes.