• Full-time three-year traineeship and then ongoing employment as Aboriginal Health Worker (Mental Health)
• Located in Fairfield, 15 minutes from Melbourne’s CBD
• Free onsite parking
• Salary: $56,482 pa plus super and salary packaging

Forensicare is the statutory agency responsible for the provision of adult forensic mental health services across Victoria.

Forensicare is situated across five sites across Victoria with its largest site being Thomas Embling Hospital, located in Fairfield just 15 minutes north of the Melbourne CBD.

Thomas Embling Hospital is a 124 bed secure hospital providing acute care, rehabilitation and continuing care services.

About the role:

This Aboriginal Health Worker (Mental Health) traineeship is one of many initiatives designed to increase the Aboriginal Workforce within the public mental health sector whilst increasing culturally safe and inclusive mental health care for Aboriginal people.

The Aboriginal Health Worker (Mental Health) trainee is both an employee of Forensicare and an undergraduate of the Charles Sturt University (CSU) Bachelor of Health Science (Mental Health). The CSU course is specifically designed in collaboration with Aboriginal community-based organisations to:

1. Prepare graduates with the skills and knowledge required to address the mental health workforce (may include trainees encouraging and assisting with the education of other employees to provide culturally appropriate assessment and treatment for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander consumers and
2. Develop competency to work within mental health services across the healthcare environment, and with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients, their families, communities and other Indigenous and non-Indigenous health professionals (e.g. ED's)

Whilst undertaking the CSU Bachelor of Health Science (Mental Health) course, undergraduate students will develop an understanding of primary health care, cultural safety, equity and socio-cultural aspects of care. The course will enhance the trainees' appreciation of clients' and their families experience of emotional and social trauma and mental ill health.

Duties:

1. Participate in the development and implementation of mental health services to promote the social and emotional wellbeing of Aboriginal people and the wider community.
2. Learn about, observe and develop skills to provide responsive and culturally appropriate mental health services to consumers across the life span.
3. Actively contribute to multidisciplinary discussions and planning.

Qualification, skills and experience:

Essential

• Willingness and commitment to complete a three-year full-time Bachelor of Health Science (Mental Health) degree at Charles Sturt University via mixed mode learning including four week-long residential intensives per annum.
• Be of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander background (as defined by the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS)). Charles Sturt University may request confirmation of identity may be requested (for a list of approved identify-verification documents go to www.humanservices.gov.au/identity).
• Demonstrates competent level of written, verbal and electronic communication skills.
• Demonstrates an aptitude to undertake this course through previous relevant experiences in the field of mental health and Aboriginal issues.

Desirable

• Knowledge of and/or experience working within Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander communities and understanding of social and emotional issues experienced by Aboriginal people

Benefits:

We value our staff and provide a range of employee benefits including:

• Great salary packaging conditions
• Excellent leave entitlements
• Ongoing training and full orientation
• Comprehensive Health and Wellbeing Programs including: Staff gym and pool, Staff health service, Critical Incident Stress Management and Employee Assistance Programs.

Forensicare values a diverse workforce and strongly encourages applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

This position is subject to a Police Check.

Forensicare promotes the following values: responsiveness, integrity, impartiality, accountability, respect and leadership; and promotes behaviours that are consistent with these values at all times. Forensicare is an equal opportunity employer and offers a smoke free environment.