Description

Consultant Psychiatrist – headspace Early Psychosis (hEP) Canberra

Uniting NSW.ACT

About the Role

• Location: Canberra, ACT – headspace Early Psychosis
• Employment: Part-time (3–4 days per week), Permanent
• Remuneration: Specialist rate + allowances + TESL + salary packaging

As Consultant Psychiatrist, you will hold a key leadership position, partnering with the Team Leader to provide clinical leadership, training, and supervision for medical staff. The focus is on early intervention mental health treatment for young people aged 12–25 years.

Clinical care aims:

• Early detection of young people experiencing or at risk of first episode psychosis
• Minimising the duration of untreated psychosis to reduce its impact
• Effective early intervention to prevent onset of psychotic illness
• Supporting both symptomatic and functional recovery

Shape a New Service & Lead Innovation

This is a rare opportunity to be at the forefront of youth mental health in Canberra. You will play a pivotal role in designing and delivering a new early intervention service, with autonomy to shape clinical practices, introduce innovative approaches, and influence future care for young people.

Be Part of a New Team in a Purpose-Built Clinical Space

Join a newly established, multidisciplinary team dedicated to early intervention, recovery, and best practice. The service operates from a modern, purpose-built facility designed to foster collaboration, creativity, and excellence. Flexible working arrangements, including in-person and work-from-home options, are supported.

Drive Research and Service Innovation

Collaborate with leading researchers from Orygen and participate in national clinical trials through the Australian Early Psychosis Collaborative Consortium (AEPCC), contributing to the advancement of youth mental health care.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and supervise a team of clinicians, including Registrars and Career Medical Officers
• Deliver evidence-based, youth-friendly psychiatric care focused on early intervention and recovery
• Oversee clinical review, risk management, and quality assurance
• Foster a learning culture through education, supervision, and professional development
• Build and maintain partnerships with community stakeholders and service teams

Your Impact & Benefits

• Shape a new service and influence best-practice models in youth mental health
• Provide timely, early intervention that can change developmental trajectories for young people
• Enjoy a manageable workload, collaborative and inclusive environment, and strong peer support
• Access salary packaging, paid parental leave, professional development, wellbeing programs, and corporate discounts
• Accumulate 5 weeks annual leave FTE (pro-rata for part-time), 4 weeks TESL (PDL), and upfront PD allowance
• Benefit from Fitness Passport, U Rewards, and other employee programs
• Participate in research and contribute to cutting-edge mental health care

Uniting Staff Benefits & Culture

Uniting celebrates diversity and welcomes all people, regardless of ethnicity, faith, sexual orientation, or gender identity. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and those from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply. The organisation fosters a collaborative work environment with a strong team culture.

Essential Criteria

• Registration as a medical practitioner with AHPRA and Fellowship of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP) or equivalent
• Significant experience in acute mental health care for young people, including crisis intervention
• Substantial knowledge of biopsychosocial treatments for first episode psychosis
• Demonstrated ability to engage with young people, families, and significant others
• Capacity for innovation in clinical approaches and commitment to early intervention and recovery-focused care
• Dedication to clinical supervision, education, and ongoing professional development

For enquiries, contact:

• Geraldine Garcia, Operations Manager: ggarcia@uniting.org
• Roger Gurr, Clinical Director: rgurr@uniting.org

About Uniting

Uniting NSW.ACT contributes to the work and mission of the Uniting Church in NSW and the ACT through social justice advocacy, community services and spiritual care. We provide care and support for people through all ages and stages of life, with a focus on people experiencing disadvantage and vulnerability. Our purpose is to inspire people, enliven communities and confront injustice.

Uniting is a Child Safe Organisation committed to promoting the safety, wellbeing and inclusion of children and young people.

Empowered by diversity

At Uniting, inclusion isn’t just something we value – it’s how we work. Our culture and practice reflect the vibrant diversity of our colleagues, and the clients and communities we serve.