Department Head, Intellectual Disability and Mental Health Drug and Alcohol (IDMHDA)
This Position will provide leadership to a small dynamic specialty team which provides high quality clinical care to people across the NSLHD who have a lived experience of Intellectual Disability and Mental Health issues.
Employment Type: Permanent Full Time
Position Classification: Health Clinician Level 4
Remuneration: Dependent on Qualifications
Hours Per Week: 38
Requisition ID: REQ638687
Salary Per Week:
Occupational Therapist Level 4: $2,424.83 - $2,483.61 per week
Diversional Therapist Level 4: $2,424.83 - $2,483.61 per week
Social Worker Level 4: $2,424.83 - $2,483.61 per week
Who we are: We are a health service that touches thousands of lives across the Northern Sydney Local Health District, together as a team of like-minded people. We are passionate, driven and have the skills and knowledge to care for our patients whilst creating the best services possible. Our teams have meaningful, interesting and rewarding work everyday. We challenge and nurture each other, sharing our knowledge and experience so that we can deliver better care for everyone There’s a real sense of belonging here because we value and respect our patients, employees, and teams’ voices. You’ll feel a real privilege being a trusted caregiver in our patients, their families, their carers, and our communities’ lives.
- Innovation is at our core, with opportunities for research driven evidence-based practice, ensuring our work remains engaging and fulfilling.
- Clear pathways for career progression, supported by training secondments, recognition and mentorship, empower employee and leaders alike to reach their professional goals.
- Join us on a journey to a place where every achievement is celebrated and every opportunity is embraced.
NSLHD is proud of our diverse and inclusive workplaces, a place where health care professionals can thrive and feel they belong. We are committed to ensure that all our people feel respected and participate safely within a work environment without aggression, sexual harassment, discrimination and racism.
Where you'll be working
Macquarie Hospital North Ryde
What you'll be doing
Leading a Team which provides clinical service and consultancy across the NSLHD MHDA services, including the provision of education and capacity building across MHDA services and contributing to strategic development and operational planning of Intellectual disability MHDA services.
People of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander background are encouraged to apply.
Candidates will need to meet the following criteria:
- Bachelor or post graduate degree in Social Work and eligibility for the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW); or Registration with the Occupational Therapy Board of Australia; or hold a health science or applied science bachelor’s degree in leisure, recreation or diversional therapy recognised by the Diversional Therapy Association of Australian National Council, or other qualification deemed equivalent by the employer; or Current registration with AHPRA as a psychologist or for a Clinical Psychologist current registration with AHPRA and with endorsement in Clinical Psychology, Neuropsychology or other recognised clinical area in psychology deemed relevant to the functions of the position.
- Demonstrated experience in service evaluation, development, planning and implementation, and demonstrated ability to lead and manage change and ensure continuous quality improvement.
- Demonstrated clinical leadership skills, an ability to work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary framework across multiple teams with a demonstrated commitment to excellence in clinical practice and customer service. As well as demonstrated high level communication, conflict resolution and negotiation skills, and an ability to lead clinicians enhancing their knowledge and understanding of the speciality pathways and partnerships for consumers with an intellectual disability and mental illness within a person cantered care approach.
Demonstrated experience in providing management, leadership and strategic direction for Intellectual Disability Mental Health Drug and Alcohol services; including financial and human resource management.
Need more information?
1) Click here for the Position Description
2) Find out more about applying for this position
For role related queries or questions contact Alison Sutton on Alison.Sutton@health.nsw.gov.au
This is a NSW Health Category A position which requires immunisation and screening for certain diseases. The full list of requirements are outlined in the NSW Health OASV Policy (Page 11). You will be required to complete the OASV Undertaking/ Declaration Form and TB Assessment Tool during the recruitment process. Please upload this with your application along with any other vaccination evidence that you may have.
NSW Health is committed to implementing the Child Safe Standards.
The team enriching health in millions of ways every day.
Applications Close: 17 February 2026
Interviews scheduled in Week commencing 23 February 2026
