Setting
First Step is a renowned for-purpose addiction, mental health and legal services hub in the heart of St Kilda supporting over 1,500 people each year. First Step has a team of 4 General Practitioners, all of whom have decades of experience in addiction medicine including the prescription of Opiate Substitution Therapies. We hope to engage a Nurse Practitioner on a permanent part-time basis. Either 2, 3, 4 or 5 days per week are possible (.4 to 1.0 EFT), with a contract for 12 months (with the hope of extending beyond that time) at above award rates.
The primary focus of the Nurse Practitioner will be:
- providing clinical care to patients with an opioid use disorder, including prescribing of Opiate Substitution Therapies
- collaborating with the GP team in the care of people on Opiate Substitution Therapies.
Our model of care is designed to address the systemic barriers faced by people with co-occurring illnesses including mental ill-health and prioritises welcome, empathy and hope. Through the compassionate application of multiple disciplines in a team environment we focus on incremental, whole-of-life improvements that build gently towards physical and mental health and wellbeing. We work to help people be connected to their families, participating in society and taking control of their own lives. At First Step we believe the everybody deserves every chance to turn their lives around. First Step is a thought leader in the area of co-occurring illnesses and service integration contributing to journals and research and being the lead agency in the Victorian Department of Health’s Integrated Care Pilot.
The team
The Nurse Practitioner will find themselves collaborating in the care for vulnerable Victorians, the significant majority of whom have co-occurring conditions including mental ill-health and substance use, as well as legal and housing issues and more. All onsite, the team includes GPs and nurses, psychologists and psychiatrists, mental health nurses, case managers and care coordinators, group therapists, peer workers, family therapists and lawyers.
Essential
- Relevant post-graduate Nurse Practitioner qualification
- Scope of practice must include Opiate Substitution Therapies/Medication Assisted Treatment of Opioid Dependence (MATOD), including MATOD prescriber accreditation through approved training
- Experience prescribing Opiate Substitution Therapies in an outpatient community setting
- Registration with AHPRA
- Working With Children and Police Check
The successful candidate must:
- Be able to provide an environment of welcome, empathy and hope
- be able to independently manage care of people with clinically complex, co-occurring needs
- engage in complex and critical thinking
- integrate information and evidence to reach conclusions
- judiciously use clinical investigations
- skillfully and empathetically communicate with patients and other health professionals
- assist First Step to provide comprehensive, coordinated care
What we offer
A flexible and autonomous working day within normal business hours.
Fully furnished consulting rooms including phone/internet/computers and considerable admin and reception support.
Note that despite the Nurse Practitioner being an independent contractor, the structure of this pilot is such that the Nurse Practitioner will have a steady, guaranteed and competitive income for the duration of the Pilot.
A large cohort of eligible people and support from the GP team to build your caseload.
Contact us
Please contact our CEO Patrick Lawrence at [email protected] or 03 9537 3177 to express your interest in this position. We would be happy to schedule a visit to the clinic to meet Patrick and the team with no obligation and/or a formal interview. You can learn more about First Step from our website: www.firststep.org.au
First Step is an independent not-for-profit organisation that provides a safe and nurturing work environment for people of all backgrounds, genders, religions, sexualities and ethnicities.