Graduate Careers

The program - purpose, philosophy and aims

The Mental Health, Drugs and Alcohol Service (MHDAS) Interprofessional Entry to Practice Program aims to:

• Build upon the undergraduate program and facilitate the transition of the graduate from novice to advanced beginner practitioner.
• Integrate the graduate into the Mental Health Drug and Alcohol Service by providing clinical support, educational experiences and activities.
• Assist the graduate to develop clinical competency to perform safely, confidently and professionally within his / her role delineation.
• Promote a learning environment of connectedness, support & continuity this fosters the journey that values the process of furthering knowledge and expertise.

Overview of the program

In 2025 the Barwon MHDAS Entry to Practice Program commences in early February and is open to:

• 24 Graduate Registered Nurse positions
• 4 Transition to Mental Health Enrolled Nurses
• 4 Transition to Mental Health Registered Nurses
• 15 Post-Graduate Registered Nurses
• 8 Occupational Therapy Graduate positions
• 8 Social Work Graduate positions
• 4 Allied Health (Social Work OR Occupational Therapy) positions
• 5 Psychology Registrar positions

This multidisciplinary Entry to Practice Program focuses on developing discipline-specific mental health specialist skills and includes:

• A variety of rotations in our inpatient unit, community mental health and specialty services
• A two-week in-depth orientation program, plus up to 10 paid study days
• Support from preceptors, clinical staff, managers and educators
• Individual and group clinical supervision

The Barwon Mental Health, Drugs and Alcohol Service (MHDAS) Multidisciplinary Entry to Practice Program aims to:

• Build upon the undergraduate program and facilitate the transition of the graduate from novice to advanced beginner practitioner.
• Integrate the graduate into the Mental Health Drug and Alcohol Service by providing clinical support, educational experiences and activities.
• Assist the graduate to develop clinical competency to perform safely, confidently and professionally within their role delineation.
• Promote a learning environment of connectedness, support and continuity that fosters the journey and values the process of furthering knowledge and expertise.

Support and education

During your Entry to Practice year/s at MHDAS, you will receive support from a variety of people including preceptors, clinical staff, managers, other Entry to Practice clinicians and of course the MHDAS Education Team and Entry to Practice Coordinator.

As part of the transition from student to registered practitioner, graduates are also provided with opportunities to learn and reflect on their practice outside of their clinical areas. This includes:

 Clinical supervision

All Entry to Practice clinicians are provided with a trained clinical supervisor and are entitled to and expected to attend at least one hour per month to allow for an opportunity for graduates to discuss any issues in a confidential and supported environment. Clinical supervision sessions provide a safe venue for graduates to reflect on their practice, discuss client issues and other information that the clinician feels is relevant to their growth as practitioner.

*Clinical supervision frequency is dependent on discipline.

Group supervision

Gain support, learning opportunities and confidence by sharing the common experience of being a new graduate in the public mental health system by regularly coming together with your discipline new graduate colleagues to share in group supervision.

 Entry to Practice study days

All Entry to Practice clinicians attend a number of paid study days held throughout the year.

Topics aim to increase the development of personal and professional skills and knowledge, looking at the changing work environment, legislation and policy in mental health and the opportunity to broaden a wide range of clinical skills.

Some of the study days provided include Safewards, psychopharmacology, trauma-informed care, attachment theory, working with a person with a diagnosis of Borderline Personality Disorder and gender sensitivity training hosted by the Rainbow Network.

All Entry to Practice clinicians will complete a two-day Management of Violence and Aggression International Training (MOVAIT) workshop.

Clinical competencies

Entry to Practice clinicians are expected to complete core competencies related to mental health and alcohol and other drugs (AOD) and may also complete learning modules that they find of interest.

In addition to a range of clinical skills assessments, a 20 minute consumer story presentation will be delivered to peers and the Education Team.

Both the clinical skills assessments and consumer story require the graduate to critically appraise and reflect on practice.

Graduate nurse program

0.8FTE (8 days per fortnight for 12 months)

24 positions are available in 2025. Barwon Health participates in the PMCV process for all graduate registered nurse positions.

Graduate registered nurses complete two six-month clinical rotations across multiple services within the Mental Health, Drugs and Alcohol Service in the Geelong and Barwon South West region. These can consist of any of the following (subject to change):

• Acute Inpatient Units (Adult & 50+) (Geelong)
• Community Rehabilitation Facility & Prevention & Recovery Care Unit (CRF & PARC) (Geelong)
• Hospital in the Home (MH HITH) (Geelong)
• Drug and Alcohol Services (Geelong)
• Youth Community Mental Health Teams (Geelong, Corio & Colac)
• Adult Community Mental Health Teams (Torquay, Newcomb, Corio, Geelong West, Colac)
• Aged Psychiatry Service (Geelong & Colac)

*Expressions of interest will be sought with the successful graduates (after the matching process concludes).

Advanced Standing

The MHDAS Graduate Nurse Program is reviewed by a number of universities and is accredited for up to three subjects of advanced standing into the Graduate Diploma in Mental Health Nursing Practice. This is permitted for successful completion of the all previous academic and clinical assessments. Graduates and Transition to Mental Health Nurse Program participants need to notify the university upon submission of their post-graduate application of successful completion of the MHDAS Graduate Program (this will be verified by the MHDAS Entry to Practice Coordinator).

Transition to mental health nurse program

Registered nurses

0.8FTE (8 days per fortnight for 12 months)

Four positions available in 2025

Enrolled nurses

0.7-0.8FTE (7-8 days per fortnight for 12 months)

Four positions available in 2025

The Transition to Mental Health Nursing Program (TTMHNP) is available to nurses who have had at least 12-months experience working as a nurse and are choosing to transition to a mental health setting.

TTMHNP complete two six-month clinical rotations across multiple services within the Mental Health, Drugs and Alcohol Service in the Geelong and Barwon South West region. These can consist of any of the following (subject to change):

• Acute Inpatient Units (Adult & 50+) (Geelong)
• Community Rehabilitation Facility & Prevention & Recovery Care Unit (CRF & PARC) (Geelong)
• Adult Community Mental Health Teams (Torquay, Newcomb, Corio, Geelong West, Colac)
• Aged Psychiatry Service (Geelong & Colac)

TTMHNs complete the same clinical assessment tasks, academic components, study days and supervision offered to the Graduate Nurse Program.

Advanced standing for Registered Nurses

The MHDAS Graduate Nurse Program is reviewed by a number of universities and is accredited for up to three subjects of advanced standing into the Graduate Diploma in Mental Health Nursing Practice. This is permitted for successful completion of the all previous academic and clinical assessments. Graduates and TTMHNPs need to notify the university upon submission of their post-graduate application of successful completion of the MHDAS Graduate Program (this will be verified by the MHDAS Entry to Practice Coordinator).

Post-graduate nurse program

0.8FTE (8 days per fortnight for 12 months)

15 positions available in 2025

The Post-graduate Nursing Program offers an opportunity for graduate nurses, general graduate nurses or TTMH nurses to continue their learning and specialisation in mental health nursing in a supported way. Post-graduate nurses complete a 12-month contract with Barwon Health MHDAS, working two six-month rotations, whilst undertaking their (post)Graduate Diploma in Mental Health Nursing through the University of Melbourne (or another approved institution).

These rotations can consist of any of the following (subject to change):

• Acute Inpatient Units (Adult & 50+) (Geelong)
• Hospital in the Home (MH HITH) (Geelong)
• Drug and Alcohol Services (Geelong)
• Youth Community Mental Health Teams (Geelong, Corio & Colac)
• Adult Community Mental Health Teams (Torquay, Newcomb, Corio, Geelong West, Colac)
• Aged Psychiatry Service (Geelong & Colac)
• Eating Disorder Service (Geelong)
• Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (Geelong)
• Drug and Alcohol Services (Geelong)
• Consultation & Liaison (University Hospital Geelong)

 

Social work graduate program

There are eight social worker graduate positions available within the Mental Health, Drug and Alcohol Services at Barwon Health. These positions are one year positions that consist of two clinical site rotations of six month durations each. The positions range from four days/week up to full time, and the rotational options include clinical sites such as:

• The acute inpatient unit (Swanston Centre), for persons aged 18 years and over, based in Geelong
• The older persons Mental Health and Wellbeing Unit, for persons aged 50 years and over, based at the McKellar Centre in North Geelong
• Hospital in the Home (outreach) service for consumers aged 18 years and over, based in Geelong
• The Community Rehabilitation Facility (CRF) and the Prevention and Recovery Centre (PARC) for persons aged 18 years and over based in Belmont
• Outreach (community acute intervention) service for consumers aged 16 to 65 years based in Geelong
• The Greater Geelong-Queenscliffe Mental Health and Wellbeing Local for persons aged 26 years and older, based in north Geelong/Geelong
• Drug and Alcohol Service (DAS) for persons aged 26 years and older, based in Geelong
• Headspace Colac, for persons aged 12 to 25 years, based in Colac

 

Occupational therapy graduate program

There are eight occupational therapy graduate positions available within the Mental Health, Drug and Alcohol Services at Barwon Health.

Seven of these positions are one year positions that consist of two clinical site rotations of six month durations each. The positions range from four days/week up to full time, and the rotational options include clinical sites such as:

• The acute inpatient unit (Swanston Centre), for persons aged 18 years and over, based in Geelong
• The older persons Mental Health and Wellbeing Unit, for persons aged 50 years and over, based at the McKellar Centre in North Geelong
• Hospital in the Home (outreach) service for consumers aged 18 years and over, based in Geelong
• The Community Rehabilitation Facility (CRF) and the Prevention and Recovery Centre (PARC) for persons aged 18 years and over based in Belmont
• The Greater Geelong-Queenscliffe Mental Health and Wellbeing Local for persons aged 26 years and older, based in north Geelong/Geelong
• Drug and Alcohol Service (DAS) for persons aged 26 years and older, based in Geelong
• Headspace Colac, for persons aged 12 to 25 years, based in Colac

The final occupational therapy graduate role is a specialist experience within the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS). It is a two year rotational position, working three days per week. During the first year, the graduate works within primary schools as part of the CAMHS and School Early Action Service (CASEA) and moves in to become a case manager within CAMHS in the second year.

Allied Health positions

Four positions are available to either Occupational Therapy or Social Work graduates

Jigsaw (Youth Mental Health) x 1

0.8EFT (4 days/week for 12 months).

The Jigsaw Allied Health Graduate Program is offered every year and both social work and occupational therapy graduates are encouraged to apply. Graduates work an eight-day per fortnight roster within the multidisciplinary Jigsaw Youth Mental Health Team.

The graduate is supported to develop and care for a caseload of young people aged 16-25 with a severe mental illness or are at risk of developing a severe mental illness. The site is located in Geelong.

Community Mental Health Engagement Worker positions (CMHEWs) x 3

These positions offer an alternative pathway for allied health graduates to enter public metal health work, employing three allied health (social work or occupational therapy) graduates to work as Community Mental Health Engagement Workers (CMHEWs) within the adult continuing care teams (CCT). There will be one graduate at each Bellarine CCT, Corio CCT and Geelong West CCT. Graduates work an eight-day per fortnight roster within the multidisciplinary Continuing Care teams. These positions are also 12 month positions as part of the MHDAS graduate program. Occupational Therapy and Social Work graduates are encouraged to apply.

Psychology registrar program

This program is offered to qualified psychologists working towards achieving area of practice endorsement. There are four 12-month rotations offered over a two year program in four MHDAS sites including Drug and Alcohol Services, Therapy Services (Youth and Adult), Eating Disorder Service and Child and Adolescent Metal Health Services (CAMHS). 

 

How to apply

Applications for the Barwon Mental Health, Drugs and Alcohol Graduate Nurse Program open Monday 27 May to Friday 21 June.

STEP 1: ARE YOU ELIGIBLE TO APPLY?

To apply for a position in any of our graduate programs at Barwon Health you must be eligible to register for the PMCV Allocation and Placement Service. Visit the Postgraduate Medical Council of Victoria’s (PMCV) website https://app.pmcv.com.au/aps/content/how-it-works to ensure you meet the eligibility criteria.

If you are eligible, you will need to register with PMCV and apply directly to Barwon Health via People Plus Recruitment. You will not be considered for positions at Barwon Health if you have not registered with the PMCV Allocation and Placement Service. Please read all information on the PMCV website carefully.

STEP 2: HOW DO I APPLY?

In addition to registering with the PMCV Allocation and Placement Service, you will need to apply directly the Barwon Health’s MHDAS Graduate Nurse Program (Please note this is separate to the Barwon Health Nursing and Midwifery Graduate Program)

1. Register your details on the Barwon Health careers website.
2. Complete your personal details
3. Upload a current photo (for ID purposes only)
4. Answer the key selection criteria questions online
5. Upload all documents as requested

STEP 3: REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

1. Letter of application:

• Cover letter should be no more than one page in length
• The letter should be addressed to Ms Maddison Adams.

2. Personal Statement:

• A 250-word statement outlining reasons for applying for a Graduate Nurse Program at Barwon Mental Health, Drugs and Alcohol Service, in particular why the applicant is choosing to define a professional pathway into mental health.

3. Concise CV

• No more than three pages in length
• Include an objective or summary that tells us about you and your professional interests and aspirations.
• Clearly identify your completed and current education
• Include your work history stating dates, title and employer name/company/organisation
• Provide details of all clinical placements in a table format (see below)
• Include details of any relevant professional development that you have completed.
• Don’t forget to share any academic / professional achievements, relevant volunteer and community experiences or details of experience of mental health, drug and alcohol services, e.g. placement, employment, volunteer or personal.

Date of placement	Length of placement	Health Service / Organisation	Optional column e.g. Key Achievements
I.e. 23/03/2020 – 5/04/2020	I.e. 2 week acute mental health placement	Barwon Health: Swanston Centre- Adult Inpatient Unit	Completed supervised mental state examinations Participated in family interviews Identified clinical deterioration and initiated a MET call

  

4. Referees

Provide names and contact details of two recent clinical referees (phone and email) plus one recent employment referee. Preferably one clinical mental health reference if possible.

5. Official academic transcript

Submit a certified transcript of university results to date with a key to result codes. Unofficial transcripts will not be accepted.

6. Email clinical placement appraisals

Provide evidence of your clinical placements i.e. clinical assessment tasks/ANSATS. Please forward all 2^nd and 3^rd (and 4^th if applicable) clinical placement appraisals to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

7. Complete PMCV online interview

Your PMCV online interview will be utilised to assess your application. If your application has been successful, you will be asked to attend a face to face interview. You will be supported with reviewing the interview questions during your interview and can expect to be interviewed by three staff members. The interview will last approximately 30 minutes and you will have the opportunity to ask questions at the end of your interview.

Transition to Mental Health Nursing Program

All Transition to Mental Health Nursing Program positions commence at the start of each year in the first weeks of February. Recruitment for the following years positions usually happens mid-way through the year prior. If you would like to keep informed of when these positions are being advertised/recruited to, please sign up to Barwon Health’s People Plus recruitment program Careers at Barwon South West (swarh.vic.gov.au)

Allied Health

All allied health graduate positions commence at the start of each year in the first weeks of February. Recruitment for the following years positions usually happens mid-way through the year prior. If you would like to keep informed of when these positions are being advertised/recruited to, please sign up to Barwon Health’s People Plus recruitment program Careers at Barwon South West (swarh.vic.gov.au)

 

Interview process

If your application has been successful, you will be asked to attend a face to face interview. You will be supported with reviewing the interview questions during your interview and can expect to be interviewed by three staff members. The interview will last approximately 30 minutes and you will have the opportunity to ask questions at the end of your interview.

Testimonials

 

Kayla, Mental Health Nurse

"I completed my graduate year in mental health in 2019 and my postgrad in 2020. I have felt supported every step of the way. I have been given a range of different experiences in the mental health area, from experiences in the community, complex care, forensic care, aged care and the acute setting. This graduate program supports you in growing and expanding your knowledge with many study days throughout the year. No question has been a silly question and this graduate year has made my transition into mental health nursing a breeze!"

Shine, Mental Health Nurse

"I completed my postgraduate year in 2019. My initial graduate year was excellent and there were plenty of opportunities to learn and build upon my mental health nursing skills. I would say the exact same for my post-graduate year. I've always felt well supported and looked after. The study days were great and it was enjoyable working in a range of different areas including acute, sub-acute, and community settings. Barwon Health's graduate program has been very enriching and I wouldn't have it any other way!"

Erin, Occupational Therapist

“I completed the Occupational Therapy, Mental Health Graduate position with Barwon Health in 2018 and 2019. It was a wonderful opportunity to start off my career as an Occupational Therapist working in Mental Health. My knowledge and skills developed significantly through all the clinical experience and professional development provided in this position. I learnt so much about child and adolescent mental health, the role of OT within this setting and was able to gain experience working with diverse consumer groups. I felt incredibly supported by my team and supervisors as a new graduate. I would highly recommend this opportunity to anyone who is interested in working as an OT in mental health, particularly if you are interested in working with children, adolescents, their families and schools!”

Yuki, Mental Health Nurse

"The mental health transition program has offered me a great opportunity to develop mental health nursing skills in an acute environment. I enjoyed the great teamwork and approachable work environment. Mainly, I enjoyed taking care of clients as a whole; not only providing care for their mental health, but also supporting their psychosocial, financial, family and relationship needs to assist with their recovery. Throughout the program, I have been supported by our education team who offered me a comprehensive orientation, paid professional development days, clinical supervision, mental health rotations in different settings and competency-based skill development requirements. Some of the key learnings from my mental health rotations were the development of skills in managing clients with different presentations and challenging behaviours. It is a pleasure to be involved in clients’ care and support them. The program also offers credit points toward a Graduate Diploma in Mental Health Nursing. Recently, I have obtained a community mental health case management position with Barwon Health. This position allows me to provide ongoing management of chronic or recurring illness outside of hospital."

 

Information sessions

Information sessions for the Barwon Health Graduate Program and the Mental Health, Drug and Alcohol Service  Graduate Nurse Program are scheduled on the following dates:

Thursday 16  May, Monday 20 May, Tuesday 28 May

MHDAS Program sessions run from 3.30pm - 5.00pm

General and Midwifery Programs sessions run from 5.30pm - 7pm

HERB Lecture Theatre - Health Education and Research Building (behind Kitchener House), 285-299 Ryrie Street, Geelong.

To register for a session please visit www.schoolinterviews.com.au and use the code u7ew8 to make a booking.