23Designated mental health practitioners

23 Designated mental health practitioners (1) The person-in-charge of an approved treatment agency or approved treatment facility may apply to the CEO to have a person employed by the agency or at the facility appointed as a designated mental health practitioner.

Mental Health and Related Services Act 1998 22 (2) On receiving an application under subsection (1) the CEO may appoint or refuse to appoint the person. (2A) The CEO may appoint an employee of the Agency to be a designated mental health practitioner. (3) A person cannot be appointed as a designated mental health practitioner unless he or she: (a) is: (i) a psychologist; or (ii) a registered nurse; or (iii) a person registered under the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law to practise in the occupational therapy profession (other than as a student); or (iv) an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health practitioner; or (v) a social worker; or (vi) a paramedic; and (b) has not less than 2 years approved clinical experience; and (c) has successfully completed an approved training and orientation course. (4) An appointment of a person under subsection (2) remains in force only while the person continues to be employed at the facility or agency. (5) An appointment of a person under subsection (2A) remains in force only while the person is an employee of the Agency.