Seeking clinical nurses to join new state-wide Community Care Unit mental health team
The 'Living Well' Community Care Unit (CCU) is a new state-wide 20-bed residential mental health service in partnership with Richmond Wellbeing, Cyrenian House and Rockingham Peel Group (RkPG) which officially opened in Orelia on 29 June 2022.
This is the first CCU in Western Australia and is an innovative model that combines intensive psychosocial rehabilitation with relevant clinical intervention and pharmacological best practice, in a supportive residential setting.
The RkPG Mental Health service provides a full multi-disciplinary clinical team consisting of a psychiatrist, a psychiatric registrar, clinical nurses, an occupational therapist, a social worker and a clinical psychologist.
RkPG CCU Clinical Nurse Manager Russell Oliver said this partnership model is all about focusing on a person's recovery by building their wellness resilience within an individual and group setting, so they can live productive lives in the community once they exit the CCU and be linked with relevant service providers to assist them with living more independently.
"This is a new model for mental health services here in Western Australia and it is exciting to be a part of this journey to support adults between the age of 18 and 64 with severe and non-acute mental health challenges with a complexity of issues such as alcohol and drug misuse," Russell said.
While residents are currently not staying overnight in the CCU due to ongoing building works, a day therapy program, recovery workshops and clinical groups are being run at the CCU for residents accepted into the service. When overnight stays commence, residents will have their own room with an ensuite and access to several internal and external areas for group and individual work.
RkPG are currently seeking passionate clinical nurses to consider joining the RkPG mental health team based at the CCU, who will be given the opportunity to develop valuable negotiation skills, working in a unique partnership with three services.
Hear from clinical nurses Oriole Healy and Paul Rooney about what it is like to work at the new CCU.
What do you like about working at the new CCU?
Oriole: It has been a great opportunity to set up a brand-new unit from the ground up and seeing what goes into establishing a new service, also working closely with Cyrenian House, a non-governmental organisation (NGO), in the delivery of care has been a great experience. It has been interesting for me to move from working in the inpatient care setting to residential care setting and all the services and supports that are currently available and planned in future in the mental health service delivery. Working as part of a close-knit clinical team and giving long term residents the opportunity to pursue their recovery in the community is what is most rewarding.
Paul: I have enjoyed taking an active role in setting up a new service and in working with other stakeholders who will also be co-located in the service; such as writing and establishing the clinical group program and having input into the standardised operating procedure. Working in an experienced multi-disciplinary team has been both welcoming and supportive. The management team and clinical governance have been extremely supportive in the process of setting up the service and providing a wealth of knowledge.
What is involved in your role at the new CCU?
Oriole: I undertake mental health assessments to determine the suitability of referrals to our service and provide clinical nursing care for up to 20 residents. This includes physical and mental health care and support.
Paul: As a clinical nurse our responsibility is to provide ongoing clinical support to the residents of the CCU in collaboration with a NGO for consumers who have spent extended periods in hospital and struggle to live independently. This includes initial assessments to assess the suitability of referrals for the program, risk assessment, management and mitigation, mental health assessment and support, providing a psychoeducation program with groups such as physical health promotion and mental health recovery.
For anyone considering in applying for a CN role at the CCU, what advice do you have?
Oriole: It is a great opportunity to work in a residential setting but still have that on-site clinical team for support and shared decision making.
Paul: This would be a great opportunity to work in a unique setting of Public Health merging with an NGO in a residential setting. As a clinical nurse working after hours and on weekends, you will gain valuable experience working as the sole clinical team member (with support from the afterhours consultant or manager) as required.
If you're a clinical nurse interested in gaining valuable skills working in a unique residential mental health setting, consider applying here (external link).
For more information about mental health career opportunities across the South Metropolitan Health Service visit mental health nursing opportunities.