Consultant Psychiatrist - Wheatbelt Region

Are you a dedicated CAMHS Psychiatrist looking to make a tangible difference in the lives of children, adolescents, and their families in the Wheatbelt Region?

This is a Permanent Full Time or Fixed Term Full Time opportunity at 80 hours per fortnight, with the possibility of extension(s) and/or permanency.

We are open to Part Time or Sessional appointments, however a Full Time appointment is preferred.

About the role:

This position is responsible for delivering clinical assessment and psychiatric treatment to children, adolescents, and youth within the Wheatbelt catchment area. Based in the community, the role involves providing clinical leadership, advice, and consultation to Wheatbelt general practitioners, healthcare professionals, service providers, agencies, as well as carers and consumers across the region.

This position offers the opportunity to lead the regional implementation of the Infant, Child, and Adolescent Taskforce recommendations while providing clinical leadership and guidance to multidisciplinary teams. The role also includes chairing the CAMHS team's clinical review process, ensuring adherence to the Mental Health Act and other relevant legislation. Building and maintaining strong relationships with key stakeholders, including the Chief Psychiatrist and general practitioners, is essential to ensuring seamless, coordinated care delivery.

Additional responsibilities include representing the service in healthcare planning forums and advocating for the mental health needs of the region. You will lead clinical teaching initiatives, mentor mental health staff, and support general practitioners within a shared care model. Active participation in quality improvement projects and professional development activities is also key to the role.

The position reports directly to the Wheatbelt Director of Clinical Services – Mental Health and is part of a collaborative team, working alongside other consultant psychiatrists and registrars. This team structure fosters a supportive environment that promotes shared expertise and collective problem-solving.

This role offers flexible working arrangements, the opportunity to lead innovative mental health initiatives, and the chance to make a meaningful impact within a supportive community.

About Wheatbelt Mental Health Services:

Wheatbelt Mental Health Service provides free, confidential, quality, community mental health care to people of all ages. Our clinical programs include Aboriginal Mental Health Program (All ages), Adult Mental Health Program (18-65 years), Child and Adolescent Mental Health Program (0-18 years), Seniors Mental Health Program (65+ years) and Youth Mental Health Program (15-24 years).

The Wheatbelt Mental Health Service is a team of Mental Health Professionals including Consultant Psychiatrist, Clinical Psychologists, Social Workers, Child and Adolescent Professionals. Aboriginal Workers and Community Mental Health Nurses. This service provides comprehensive assessment and treatment for people with mental health problems. The service can provide training and support to other organisations and professionals.

Locally based, multi-disciplinary teams are in Northam, Gingin, Merredin, and Narrogin. Regular visits are made to outlying areas within the region to meet community needs. Outreach is supported by telephone consultation and videoconferencing. Clinical liaison is provided to hospitals within the region.

About the Region:

The Wheatbelt region covers an area of 154,862 square kilometres.The region is Western Australia’s largest agricultural producer and is the source of nearly two-thirds of the State's wheat production, half of its wool production, and the majority of its lamb and mutton, oranges, honey, cut flowers and a range of other agricultural and pastoral products.

It is known for the world-famous Wave Rock, which stretches 100 metres and stands 15 metres high, and the region’s Dryandra Woodland is one of Western Australia’s most important areas for wildlife preservation. The region is popular with tourists thanks to its character townships, pioneering history, golden fields, rural farms and wildflowers. Tourism and gold, nickel and iron ore mining also contribute to the region’s economy.

Wheatbelt residents tend to directly access health services from metropolitan hospitals. As the Wheatbelt does not have a Regional Health Campus providing more complex care. Wheatbelt residents must access more complex, higher acuity services from metropolitan Perth hospitals.

What’s in it for you:

• Competitive salary packages which are among the highest in Australia.
• Flexible working arrangements and rosters so you can spend more time on the things that matter!
• Experience the genuine warmth and close-knit community of the Wheatbelt community.
• Embrace a broad spectrum of medical cases and expand your skill set in a supportive healthcare environment.
• Have the best of both worlds – a peaceful rural setting complemented by easy access to the vibrant City of Perth which is only an hour drive away!

Keen to know more detailed information about the salaries and benefits? Check out the medical practitioner salaries and benefits page.

Contact Information

For any inquiries, please contact Florence Van Schie, Clinical Director - Wheatbelt Mental Health on (08) 9621 0999 or via email at Florence.VanSchie@health.wa.gov.au

Application Process

If you encounter any difficulties while applying online, please contact medcareerswa@health.wa.gov.au.

To complete the application, please apply online and submit the following documents:

• A statement addressing each of the Work-Related Criteria found in the attached Job Description Form and addressing how you meet the position requirements.
• A detailed Curriculum Vitae which summarises your experience and how you meet the position requirements.
• Contact details for two work related referees (one of your referees must be a current supervisor or manager).

Other Conditions

We are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workforce where every employee feels valued and empowered. We believe that a diverse team brings unique perspectives and drives innovation to meet our community’s needs. We welcome applicants of all backgrounds and experiences to join us in shaping a more equitable future and as a measure to achieve equality, under sections 51, 66R and 66ZP of the Equal Opportunity Act 1984, encourage applications from people living with a disability, Aboriginal people, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, women and youth (24 years of age and under).

WA Health engages staff in positions of trust and responsibility. WA Health policies require applicants to undertake criminal records screening and integrity checking as part of the appointment process. Referees may also be asked to comment on an applicant’s integrity and past demonstration of ethical behaviour.

This vacancy is subject to a Western Australian Working with Children (WWC) Check. For further information please refer to the WWC website at: https://workingwithchildren.wa.gov.au

Please note this recruitment process requires completion of satisfactory Pre-Employment Health Assessment (PEHA).  Any offer of employment with WA Country Health Service (WACHS) is conditional on satisfactory PEHA to ensure you can perform the inherent requirements of the position. An unsatisfactory PEHA will result in the offer of employment being withdrawn.  Please see the attached WACHS PEHA Policy for further information.

Whilst this selection process will initially be used to fill the above vacancy, it may also be used to fill other "similar" vacancies throughout the health service. In addition to this, should the successful applicant decline or vacate the advertised vacancy, then the next most suitable applicant may also be selected from this process. Both of these options remain valid for a period of twelve (12) months from when the authorised delegate endorses the recruitment decision.

Late or emailed applications will not be accepted.