Mental Health Graduate Nurse Program - 2027

About the role

Mental Health Rotation St Vincent's offers a unique and personalized Mental Health Graduate Nurse Program that provides the opportunity for a long and fulfilling career in mental health. St Vincent's Mental Health provide ongoing specialist treatment and support to meet the identified needs of consumers who suffer with a serious mental illness and associated high level of recovery support needs in the cities of Yarra and Boroondara. During your graduate year you will have the opportunity to learn and develop your skills in a supportive environment, work ing closely with your preceptor and the opportunity to participate in group supervision. All graduates will have an opportunity to rotate to different areas of the service - subject to clinical need and skill mix. Rotations include: the Adult Acute Inpatient Unit , Depaul House, Group Program, Footbridge CCU , Clarendon and Hawthorn Community Clinics & Normanby Aged Adult Inpatient Unit. Y ou will be required to work a rotating roster, including night shift. These positions are 0.8 FTE with regular funded study days You will be trained in the use of key recovery tools, and will be encouraged to develop your own creative recovery-orientated care strategies and you will work with our Lived Experience workforce. The graduate nurse will participate in the mandatory academic training program that has been speci fically designed to assist the g raduate to develop their skills and knowledge in relation to mental health nursing over 12 months. There are 20+ paid study days offered throughout the program to assist your growth as a well-rounded clinician. T he graduate must complete the clinical competencies provided as part of the program at the identified time intervals as set out in their training manuals. A ll competencies, assessments and hurdles must be achieved. This educational component will allow you to obtain recognition of prior learning towards a post-graduate diploma in mental health nursing. O ngoing employment if successful in the clinical and academic aspects of the graduate program Blended Mental Health / Emergency Department R otation In addition to the above, St Vincent's also offers an opport unity to rotate through the Emergency Department. The Mental Health and Emergency (MH/ED) Blended Graduate Nurse Program is a specialised program designed to support newly registered nurses to develop foundational clinical skills, confidence, and professional capability across both Acute Mental Health and Emergency care settings. Commencing in January each year, the program provides graduates with rotational experience in Mental Health Services and the Emergency Department, supporting skill development at the interface of mental health and acute care. D uring this rotation, graduates will provide care for a diverse range of adult clinical presentations including care of critically unwell and deteriorating patients, acute medical and surgical conditions, mental health, alcohol and other drugs, palliative care, and correctional health. Graduates will be supported by senior nursing staff and the multidisciplinary team to provide care and compassion to socially vulnerable and marginalised people in the community, and promote incorporation of social justice and advocacy into evidence-based clinical practice to ensure that all patients receive the best possible care. Graduates will rotate through the different areas of ED, including the acute cubicles , short stay units, MHAOD Hub and Fast Tract to complete learning objectives and consolidate emergency nursing knowledge and clinical skills. Duties include: Deliver holistic nursing care addressing the physical, emotional, and mental health needs of consumers/patients across Mental Health and Emergency settings. Provide recovery-oriented, trauma-informed care in Mental Health services in alignment with the National Practice Standards for the Mental Health Workforce (2013). Safely administer medications and assist with medical and diagnostic procedures in accordance with hospital policies and protocols. Observe, assess, document, and report relevant nursing findings in line with professional and organisational requirements. Complete clinical handover in accordance with hospital and unit p