Camp Clinician

Who We Are

We are the Australian Kookaburra Kids Foundation (AKKF). We are a Not-For-Profit supporting young people (aged 8-18) that are living in families affected by mental illness and Defence families impacted by the unique lifestyle of serving in Defence. Since 2002, we have helped young people to connect, learn, and grow through safe, fun, and meaningful programs. Our evidence-based camps, activity days, and online “Connect” sessions are designed by mental health professionals, delivered in a peer based, recreation led format. Our programs are proven to empower young people to thrive beyond the impacts of familial mental illness.

Check out what we do here https://kookaburrakids.org.au/

We value Connection, Commitment, Collaboration and Integrity. We strive for impact, and we do this through developing real relationships, flexibility, and a team that supports each other.

If you’re someone who wants your work to matter, who wants to help shape outcomes for young people and bring energy, authenticity, and care into your role, then AKKF is a place where your passion will be put into practice.

About Our Programs

Activity days are single day events that provide an opportunity for children to connect, improve mental health literacy, develop help-seeking behaviours, and provide a fun day out for some much-needed respite. Activities can include ice skating, laser tag, bowling, movies, putt putt golf, and beach activities just to name a few! Activity days may be held on weekdays or weekends.

Camps are multi-day programs that provide an opportunity for connection, growth, and empowerment. Young people learn about mental illness and help-seeking behaviours, develop coping skills and resilience, build peer connection, participate in recreational and connection activities such as canoeing, archery, giant swings, go-karts and much more! Our camps run from 4.00pm Friday to 4.00pm Sunday. 

Our camps and day activities are held in various locations across Australia, throughout the year.

The Opportunity:

Empower young people to thrive through meaningful and fun work with flexibility!

This is an opportunity to use your clinical experience in a fun, engaging, and meaningful way.

Working under the guidance of the Head of Clinical Delivery, the Camp Clinician works to support clinical requirements, disclosures, facilitate chat groups, and deliver mental health content.

As a Camp Clinician you have the flexibility to jump on camps when you it suits you! This role will be for programs in your local area, but if you're keen to get out and about, there is opportunity to travel to camps across Australia. This is a contract role, where you have the flexibility to work weekends to fit in with your other commitments. You have the opportunity to attend a program roughly every 4 weeks, but there is opportunity to attend additional programs..

You will be supported by a Program Lead, Program Support, Volunteers, plus on-call clinical support, to deliver the programs, working as a team to ensure our Young People are supported, safe, and engaged.

Responsibilities include:

• Provide Clinical guidance and support (not therapy) on Camp Activity weekends.
• Review AKKF clinical files as required to identify and manage risks and areas of clinical concern. 
• Communicate required care planning with program staff, whilst maintaining the integrity of the young person and their right to confidentiality.  
• Provide medication support and supervision, following medication protocols and ensuring medication checklists are carried out on arrival to camp.
• Support program staff and volunteers to monitor and manage mental health matters (including challenging behaviours) applying best practice and least restrictive principles.
• Provide support to young people where emotional/ behavioural/ social difficulties present and manage these appropriately in keeping with AKKF policies and procedures.
• Initiate and maintain communications with key individuals on complex concerns.
• Oversee coordination and consultation regarding issues of risk, including risk mitigation planning, collaborative escalation, reporting, notifications (including carer and mandatory reporting notifications) and completion of relevant documentation.
• Participate in clinical debriefing and quality improvement feedback initiatives as required.

You will be supported by an on-call clinical lead at all times and there is no out of hours/overnight on-call responsibilites.

About You:

To be successful in the role of Camp Clinician (Contractor): 

Registration / Accreditation:
Camp Clinicians must hold one of the following:

• AHPRA registration aligned to a mental-health profession (such as Nurse, Occupational Therapist, Psychologist, Psychiatrist); or
• AASW accreditation with mental-health endorsement; or
• Level 3 ACA accreditation (Australian Counselling Association).

Experience:

• Minimum of three years’ practical post-graduate experience in mental health.
• Experience working with children and adolescents.
• Ability to act as a clinical leader, role modelling integrity, advocacy, transparency, and accountability. 
• High level of clinical critical thinking and problem-solving skills, applying theory into practice in the provision of best practice. 
• Ability to recognise implicit bias and deliver unconditional positive regard. 
• Strong ability to engage with a variety of audiences, tailoring communication to suit the relevant audience. 
• Strong communication skills (verbal, written and virtual). 

Other requirements:

• Must have a current ABN as well as sufficient Professional Indemnity and Public Liability Insurance. 
• Maintain a current satisfactory check for working with young people, as per the relevant state/territory legislation. 
• Maintain a current and satisfactory National Police Check. 
• Maintain a driver’s license and have access to own vehicle.

How To Apply

Ready to engage in meaningful, impactful work? Give us the rundown on all things you - please provide a short Cover Letter outlining how you meet the 'About You' along with your Resume.

We are committed to creating a safe, inclusive, and equitable workplace. Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people are strongly encouraged to apply. As are those who identify as LGBTQIA+ or as neurodivergent.

We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and lived experiences. We know first-hand how valuable lived experience is to support positive outcomes for our young people. 

We warmly encourage current or former members of the Australian Defence Force to apply. If you have served, you are welcome (but not required) to share your experience in your application. We value the unique skills and perspectives that Defence service brings.

Child Safeguarding

AKKF is committed to creating environments where the safety and wellbeing of young people is at the center of our thoughts, values, and actions.

Employment is subject to reference checks, a National Police Check, and a Working with Children Check.