Evaluation of the mental health nurse incentive program
Glossary
Table of contents
Credentialed mental health nurse
A credentialed mental health nurse has achieved the professional standard for practice in mental health nursing, which is administered through the Australian College of Mental Health Nurses. Specific requirements are:- hold a current licence to practice as a registered nurse within Australia;
- hold a recognised specialist / post graduate mental health nursing qualification (as specified in the guidelines for applications);
- have had at least 12 months experience since completing specialist / postgraduate qualification OR have three years experience as a registered nurse working in mental health;
- have been practicing within the last three years;
- have acquired minimum continuing professional development points for education and practice;
- be supported by two professional referees; and
- have completed a professional declaration agreeing to uphold the standards of the profession.
Eligible organisation
Participation in MHNIP is only open to eligible organisations, which must be community based and have a GP or a psychiatrist with a Medicare provider number. Eligible organisations include:- general practices;
- private psychiatry practices;
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Primary Health; and
- Medicare Locals / Divisions of General Practice.
HoNOS
Health of the Nation Outcomes Scales (HoNOS) is a tool to measure the health and social functioning of people with severe mental illness. It was developed by the Royal College of Psychiatrists in the United Kingdom. As a part of the eligibility requirements for MHNIP, mental health nurses must be trained in the use of HoNOS.Medical practitioner
Medical practitioner includes general practitioners and psychiatrists.Service
A service represents treatment provided by a mental health nurse to a MHNIP patient. It can be provided in a range of settings, such as in clinics or at a patient‟s home and also by telephone. Services include clinical nursing services and coordination of clinical services for patients with a severe and persistent mental disorder.Session
A session represents 3.5 hours and is the basis for claiming the MHNIP sessional rate. A fulltime mental health nurse works 10 sessions per week, with an expectation of having an average nurse caseload of at least two individual services to patients with a severe and persistent mental disorder per session.Top of page