2026 Graduate Nurse Program - Mental Health

Employment Type -  Temporary Part Time

Hours per fortnight - 64 hours  

Job Category - Nursing - Registered Nurse (Div 1)

Req Id - 4912 

• Gain valuable experiences to assist your future career prospects
• Build upon the undergraduate program & transition from to advanced beginner practitioner
• 24 positions available – 64 hours per fortnight (12 month program)

About the program: 

• 24 positions available – 64 hours per fortnight (12-month program)
• Complete 2 six-month rotations across multiple services within the Mental Health, Drugs and Alcohol Service in the Geelong and Barwon South West region
• Gain valuable experiences to assist your future career prospects
• Build upon the undergraduate program & transition from to advanced beginner practitioner
• Complete a 2 week in-depth orientation program at the beginning of the Entry to Practice Program and supernumerary shifts at each clinical site
• Attend monthly Entry to Practice study days
• Individual and group supervision
• Support from preceptors, clinical staff, managers and educators
• Barwon Health participates in the PMCV process for all Graduate Nurse positions
• The MHDAS Graduate Nurse Program is reviewed by a number of universities and is accredited for up to 3 subjects of advanced standing into the Graduate Diploma in Mental Health Nursing Practice. This is permitted for successful completion of all academic and clinical assessments during the program.

The successful mental health Graduate Nurse demonstrates a passionate approach to work within this specialised field of nursing which focuses on working with consumers to meet their recovery goals. Mental health nurses consider the person's physical, psychological, social and spiritual needs, within the context of the individuals lived experience and in partnership with their family, significant others and the broader community.

Mental Health Nurses support consumers and their families during life crises and transition periods, they liaise discretely and efficiently with a range of health care providers, provide information and education on mental health maintenance and restoration, coordinate care and provide talking therapy (Australian College of Mental Health Nurses).

The Graduate Nurse works as part of the multidisciplinary team in each area, with support from experienced mental health clinicians, a preceptor, a clinical supervisor, educators, our consumers and their families.  

2026 rotations will include any 2 of the following rotations:

• Swanston Centre Acute Inpatient Unit for persons aged 18 years and over, based in Geelong.
• McKellar Health and Wellbeing Unit for persons aged 50 years and over, based at the McKellar Centre in North Geelong.
• The Community Rehabilitation Facility (CRF) and the Prevention and Recovery Centre (PARC) for persons aged 18 years and over based in Belmont.
• Youth Community Mental Health Services for persons aged 16-25 years, based in Geelong
• Adult Community Mental Health Services for persons aged 26- 64 years, based in Geelong, Torquay, Corio and Colac.
• Aged Community Mental Health Services for persons aged 65 and over, based in Geelong and Colac.
• Drug and Alcohol Service (DAS) for persons aged 26 years and older, based in Geelong.
• Hospital in the Home service for consumers aged 18 years and over, based in Geelong.

**Expressions of interest will be sought with the successful graduates.

For rotation descriptors please see the following link: https://www.barwonhealth.org.au/services-departments/mental-health

To apply:

• Register with PMCV and nominate Barwon- Mental Health and complete the online interview
• Attach a passport sized photo on your cover letter or CV (for ID purposes only)
• Answer the key selection criteria
• Include a 250 word statement outlining reasons for applying for a Psychiatric Graduate Nurse Program at Barwon Mental Health, Drugs & Alcohol Service. In particular, why you are choosing to define a professional pathway into mental health.
• Letter of application: Cover letter should be no more than one page in length and be addressed to: Maddison Adams- Acting Senior Psychiatric Nurse
• Concise CV: No more than 3 pages in length.

• • Include an objective or summary that tells us about you and your professional interests and aspirations.
  • Clearly identify completed and current education
  • Include 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.
  • 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

• Transcript: Include a certified transcript of university results to date with a key to result codes.
• Referees: Provide names and contact details for 2 recent clinical referees (preferably 1 clinical mental health reference if possible) plus 1 employment referee. 
• Email clinical placement appraisals: Provide evidence of all clinical placements i.e. clinical assessment tasks/ANSATS. Please forward all 2nd and 3rd (and 4th if applicable) clinical placement appraisals to MHDASgradprogram@barwonhealth.org.au.
• Complete PMCV online interview: Recorded PMCV online interviews will be utilised to assess applications.

For more information about our program please visit: Barwon Health - Mental Health, Drugs & Alcohol Service Multidisciplinary Entry to Practice Program

Contact person: Maddison Adams | MHDAS Undergraduate and Graduate Coordinator

Email: mhdasgradprogram@barwonhealth.org.au
Phone:(03) 4215 3377 Mobile: 0431 280 855

Application closing date: Wednesday 2 July 2025 5:00pm

Position Description