Organisation: Department of Family and Community Services
Job Title: Senior Clinical Consultant
Please accept my application for the position of Senior Clinical Consultant with the ADHC Unit as advertised on the NSW Government careers board. Supported by multiple tertiary qualifications and extensive experience in a clinical care environment, I am passionate about supporting our more vulnerable members of society by assisting them to live independently and promoting respect for their dignity and fundamental rights. Recently relocated from New Zealand, I am currently seeking an exciting new opportunity to continue utilising my qualifications, skills and experience to truly bring value to a reputable and ethical organisation. In accordance with the application process, please find below responses outlining my suitability to the role.
Please describe your knowledge, skills and/or experience in providing direct clinical support to individuals with mental health, drug and alcohol abuse, acquired brain injury, offending behaviour and/or intellectual disability, who have complex support needs and those that support them
My success to date can be attributed to a strong belief that with the right opportunities and support, anything is possible, even for disadvantaged individuals. This philosophy has guided me well throughout my career, allowing me to effectively assist individuals and their families with a wide range of issues, including impairment, illness, mental health, drug and alcohol abuse, acquired brain injury, offending behaviour and intellectual disability. With over 12 years of experience in social work and case management, I am highly skilled in providing expert advice, consultation and training for staff and carers who support individuals with complex behaviour support needs. This is best demonstrated through my tenure as a Mental Health Program Manager and Clinical Coordinator with Alliance Health Plus Trust (AH+), where I was responsible for assessing, investigating and managing a substantial caseload encompassing a clinical network of over 20 general practitioner (GP) practices. With a focus on high need populations, I provided direct clinical support and designed comprehensive case plans to empower and encourage individuals from all backgrounds and diversities towards a fulfilling life. In addition to undertaking direct client management services, I was responsible for leading and training a team of high-performing support service workers to facilitate a holistic, person-centred approach.
Specialising in clinical service provision, personnel management and program delivery, I have demonstrated experience leading several major engagement projects in collaboration with the Ministry of Health. This includes the planning and implementation of a pilot program designed to improve mental health support in GP practices. Following an evaluation of current systems, processes and clinical practices, I developed new delivery models and facilitated training specific to the assessment and provision of support for people with complex needs. As a result, I was highly successful in developing local expertise within the AH+ network and increasing the clinical support capability of GPs, psychologists and other support workers. Through this experience, I established positive working relationships with internal and external stakeholders which allowed for a coordinated and cohesive approach between services. Testament to my skills in this area, I was regularly asked by local clinics to provide case management expertise and handle challenging on-site situations. To achieve this, I relied on my strong conflict resolution skills and a combination of experience, intuition, and practice wisdom to remain calm and effectively intervene during crises to ensure the safety and wellbeing of staff and patients.
In one particular instance, I was contacted by a GP who was experiencing difficulty dealing with a client with a dual diagnosis of mental health and substance abuse. Upon my arrival, the client was highly elevated and verbally abusive to staff, requiring me to think and act promptly and confidently, using my sound judgement to defuse the situation. Understanding that every person responds to different methods of behaviour management, I apply different strategies depending on the individual’s triggers and personality. Familiar with this particular client, I quickly assessed the situation and decided the best approach was to use relaxed body language and allow her to recognise my presence, but not engage in dialogue.
Once she realised I was there to help her, she began to calm down and I directed her to a private room and quietly listened to her concerns, before communicating with her in a pleasant and compassionate tone about what had occurred and the steps we would take together to address it. She expressed her gratitude to me for listening and supporting her and I continued to work closely with her to support her effective transition back into the community. Recognising that frustration, anger and acting out is a result of circumstances and not me personally, I am highly skilled in dealing with these sometimes hostile situations and am able to manage my emotions to effectively provide direct clinical support to individuals.
Please describe your skills and experience developing, delivering and evaluating a range of capacity building interventions for individuals with mental health, drug and alcohol abuse, acquired brain injury, offending behaviour and/or intellectual disability, who have complex needs and those that support them
Through my experience with AH+, in addition to my employment in various social work capacities with the Counties Manukau District Health Board (CMDHB) and the Department of Child Youth and Family Services, I have demonstrated my ability to develop, deliver and evaluate capacity-building interventions to support recovery‑focused services. Specifically, this has included completing extensive mental health and social assessments and designing tailored clinical care plans to help individuals build their capacity to support themselves. With the primary goal of breaking, rather than managing, disadvantage, I have utilised a wide range of counselling techniques to help patients and their families understand a particular illness, work through the emotions of a diagnosis and offer support about the decisions that needed to be made. This includes guiding discussions, introducing healthy problem-solving techniques and providing realistic strategies to help individuals with complex needs and those who support them address and resolve the issues related to their health condition. Working closely with my clients towards their self-defined personal recovery, I emphasise hope, social inclusion, community participation, personal goal setting and self-management, with a focus on building their capacity to live independently and contribute as a valuable member of the community.
For example, in my role with AH+, I worked closely with a 27-year-old male who had experienced a brain injury, but was also presenting symptoms of mental illness and paranoia. Due to challenging family circumstances, he had not completed his education and was not equipped with the basic living skills and tools that others take for granted. Combined with his health condition, this made it difficult for him to work or study effectively and often caused him mental, physical and financial anguish that prevented normal daily function. In addition to treating him with appropriate medication, I encouraged his participation in relevant services within the community through a client-centred and strengths-based approach. This involved focusing on his strengths, not his disability, and helping him to establish goals in alignment with his abilities, skill level and interests. I subsequently helped him enrol in a special education school and, after two years, he achieved greater levels of literacy and was able to sit his driver’s test and successfully gain his licence. He also engaged in assisted living services and now owns a car and is living independently on a reduced medication plan, with the support of regular therapy. This was a highly rewarding outcome and I am pleased to say his new goal is to join a social work organisation where he can provide support and assistance to others with complex needs.
At all times, I work within the principles governing the assessment, treatment and protection of people with complex behaviour support needs. I have a practical understanding of these frameworks and their intention to promote recovery‑oriented practice, minimise compulsory treatment and protect and support the rights of individuals. My substantial knowledge is supported by my own research, ongoing professional development and dedicated interest in the regulatory frameworks that underpin and impact the delivery of mental health and disability services. In this way, I am confident in my ability to work within the appropriate legislation, privacy principles and guidelines that exist in Australia in order to protect the integrity and security of the ADHC. Applying these principles when developing case plans for individuals, I have effectively utilised risk assessment procedures and worked closely with clinical professionals with respect to best practice principles, capabilities and practices. I am confident that the above strengths, skills and experience will allow me to make a meaningful contribution in the role of Senior Clinical Consultant through my effective assessment, counselling, intervention and treatment of individuals with complex behaviour support needs. I am keen to share my career strategy and interests with you and I look forward to speaking with you further at your earliest convenience.
