Mental Health & AOD Nurse

The Crisis Stabilisation Centre (CSC) is a first‑of‑its‑kind service in South Australia and a rare opportunity to help establish an entirely new model of crisis care from the ground up. This 16‑bed, 24/7 service provides a voluntary, short‑stay (up to 72 hours) alternative to Emergency Departments, offering a safe, therapeutic, home‑like environment for people experiencing mental health crisis and/or suicidal distress. Co‑located within the Lyell McEwin Hospital precinct alongside Sonder’s Medicare Mental Health Centre, the CSC is designed for seamless integration across hospital, urgent and community services. Guided by a co‑designed Peer First, Peer Last Philosophy of Care, and grounded in zero suicide principles, trauma‑informed practice and cultural safety, this new service represents a once‑in‑a‑career opportunity to help shape culture, practice, and care at the very beginning.

Work–Life Balance

• 6 weeks of annual leave without having to work shift work

• 10 weeks paid primary carer parental leave

• 3 weeks paid secondary carer parental leave

Financial Benefits

• Salary paid above Nurse Award

• Salary package up to $15,900 + up to $2,650 Meal Entertainment and Holiday Accommodation benefits tax-free each year

• 17.5% leave loading – paid on all annual leave entitlements

Professional Growth

• Professional Development allowance (in addition to salary)

• Paid study leave

• Access to training, mentoring, and development programs

• Regular clinical supervision to support your growth

• Shape the future of the sector through innovation

• Diverse client groups and services across Sonder – opportunities to grow your skills across a broad range of programs

Health & Wellbeing

• Wellbeing Initiatives throughout the year – Wellbeing Day, Awards Night, local wellbeing activities

• Work with an organisation and team that truly prioritises your wellbeing

Your Work Environment

• Modern, welcoming office spaces designed to support collaboration and comfort

• Dedicated administrative support so you can focus on client care

Sonder are open to negotiating further benefits with the successful applicant to ensure an excellent working environment for you.

Hours: You will need to have the ability to work across a 24/7 rostered service – early, afternoon, and evening shifts across 7 days.

Contract: Part-time 0.4FTE - 0.8 FTE |Ongoing

Location: Elizabeth Vale (Lyell McEwin Hospital precinct)

More Information & Position Description via this link: https://bit.ly/4vw7IDJ

About the Role:

Nurses at the Crisis Stabilisation Centre (CSC) form part of the multidisciplinary team inclusive of medical staff, mental health clinicians and peer practitioners. Nurses are responsible for providing high quality, trauma informed and personalised care to guests accessing the CSC through conducting physical health screening, mental state evaluation and assessment, and ongoing monitoring of guests including escalation of care. Nurses administer and support guests to self-administer medications as prescribed. They will support guests within the crisis stabilisation by contributing to care planning and working collaboratively with the multidisciplinary team to ensure safe and therapeutic care within a recovery orientated approach.

The Mental Health & AOD Clinical Nurse will provide expert AOD assessment, screening, psychoeducation and also contribute to group programs provided within the CSC. The role will always include; high engagement with guests always within all guest areas and working collaboratively within the MDT team. The Mental Health & AOD Clinical Nurse will also work closely with the Peer Practitioner – AOD to provide specialist AOD support and care within the CSC.

Experience Requirements:

Registered Nurse:

• Current unrestricted Division 1 AHPRA registration as a Registered Nurse.

Clinical Nurse Additional Requirements:

• Post graduate qualification in mental health and/or AOD nursing or related field or enrolled in a Post graduate qualification through an accredited University

• Membership with the Australian College of Mental Health Nurses (desirable)

• Minimum of two (2) years post-qualification clinical nursing experience, preferably in a mental health, AOD, acute, or crisis care setting.
  

Qualification and Other Requirements:

• Current or willing to obtain a Working with Children's Check (WWCC)

• Current or willing to obtain a National Police Check (NPC)

• Immunisation Clearance within Category A within SA Health

How to apply:

Applicants are requested to send a cover letter and resume to Sonder via our careers portal on our website.

Feel free to send any enquiries to [email protected]

Advert Closing Date: Sunday 2 August 2026

At Sonder, we strive to respond to all applicants. However, due to the high volume of applications we receive, we may only be able to contact those shortlisted for the role. Thank you for your understanding.