Do you have a genuine passion for quality mental health services and an interest in supporting those struggling with distress and mental ill-health in the ACT? Think Mental Health (TMH) are seeking to fill a current vacancy for a Mental Health Peer Worker (Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020, Support Services Level 9, pay point 1 or 2) to be part of building our wellbeing team at Canberra Medicare Mental Health Centre.

This role will involve bringing your own lived experiences of mental or emotional distress, service use and recovery to build relationships based on a mutual understanding of shared experiences, self-determination, empowerment and hope.

The role will include provision of brief individual interventions, facilitation of peer-led group program and working collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team. We are seeking an enthusiastic, dedicated and skilful team member with appropriate skills and experience in the mental health sector. Staff will be provided with training and supervision to perform all tasks within a supportive team environment.

TMH respects, values and encourages workforce diversity and is committed to creating an inclusive workplace. As part of this commitment, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people with disability, culturally diverse people and those who identify as LGBTIQA+ are encouraged to apply. We believe that diversity in our people enriches our organisation as well as the communities we serve.

ELIGIBILITY/ OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

The preferred applicant for this role will need to have entitlement to work in Australia and have completed or be working towards completion of relevant training in mental health peer work. They will also be required, prior to commencing, to obtain (or produce evidence of) a Working with Vulnerable Person’s card, in addition to undergoing a police check. Please see position description for further details. This position is part-time and will be flexible for the right applicant.

Supporting material: Job description

• Peer Worker, MMHC
• Reports to: Senior Peer Worker
• Team Leader: Clinical Team Lead
• Duration: Part-time, ongoing

Think Mental Health Vision, mission and values

Think Mental Health (TMH) is committed to delivering high-quality and safe healthcare services to the local Canberra community. We recognise the importance of building collaborative relationships with stakeholders and engaging with our local networks to build awareness about mental health services.

• Our Vision: A safe place to receive support, while you connect, heal and grow
• Our Mission: Leading the provision of high-quality mental health care by increasing awareness and access
  to exceptional services
• Our Values: Compassion, Inclusiveness, Passion, Respect, Leadership.

What we do

Think Mental Health (formerly Think Psychology Solutions) is a private organisation founded in 2011 by two local clinical psychologists, Vanessa Hamilton and Jason McCrae. We deliver both a private mental health clinic (Think Clinic) and a range of community sector mental health services, supported by government funding.

Think Mental Health delivers both the territory-wide phone intake service for Head to Health and Canberra Medicare Mental Health Centre. Medicare Mental Health Centre’s are nation-wide Adult Mental Health service is supported by funding from the Capital Health Network (CHN) through the Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing.

Positional Purpose

This is a role for someone with lived experience and relevant training who can bring their person-centred and recovery-focused approach to our team. Peer workers draw on their lived experiences of mental or emotional distress, service use, and recovery to build relationships based on a mutual understanding of shared experiences, self-determination, empowerment and hope.

The peer worker role is to provide support for consumer’s journey through our services, from intake to discharge. We assess and provide a range of supports to adult consumers presenting with a broad range of mental health needs. Staff will be provided with training and supervision to perform all tasks, in a supportive team environment.

Positional Responsibilities

Consumer services:

• Provision of information, advice and support to consumers and carers making contact with Head to
  Health, via telephone, online and face-to-face.
• Provision of support, information, and advice to consumers and those involved with the care of individuals in psychological distress,
  • Including sitting with consumers in distress and discomfort.
  • Utilise your peer support skills including purposeful storytelling to connect with consumers
    and promote hope and recovery.
• Carryout brief interventions, including psychosocial support, safety planning, recovery/wellness planning, sensory modulation techniques and advocacy.
• Work collaboratively with intake and clinical team members, along with management.
• Development, documentation and delivery of peer-led, recovery-focused group-based psychoeducation, social and support programs, may include peer social group, mindfulness and relaxation groups or other groups as identified.

Administrative services:

• Maintain all documentation as required by the operational guidelines.
• Work collaboratively with staff and service providers to improve understanding of personal recovery and build capacity to provide recovery-oriented mental health services.

Required Skills, Knowledge and Experience

• Completion of appropriate training/qualification and work experiences within the mental health sector. Qualifications considered include; Cert IV in Mental Health Peer Work or similar.
• Personal lived experience of mental ill-health and recovery, including proactively managing own wellbeing.
• Possess an understanding of the principles of recovery-oriented practices within a multi-disciplinary team environment.
• Ability to promote a culture of hope and optimism by appropriately sharing your lived experience of recovery to assist others within the role
• Possess a high level of self-awareness and the ability to maintain healthy boundaries
• Ability to think and act calmly and deal sensitively with distressed people.
• Demonstrated effective listening, communication skills, empathy and capacity to relate well to
  others with dignity and respect.
• Demonstrated organisational skills together with the ability to manage priorities and meet
  deadlines and timeframes.
• Must be eligible to apply/currently hold a WWVP card.
• Positive attitude and genuine interest in mental health care.

Work Hours

This position is part-time and sits under the Wellbeing team with both operational management and profession specific supervision provided internally. The Centre operates Mon, Wed, Fri 8.30am – 5pm & Tues, Thurs 8.30am – 7pm. Due to the extended hours on Tuesday and Thursday, a capacity to work flexible working hours is a requirement.

Think Competencies

• Strategic thinking: We use our insights, awareness and experience to add value.
• Resourcefulness: We generate evidence-based solutions.
• Relationship management: We value and invest in strengthening internal and external relationships.
• Data fluent: We understand, interpret and use data effectively to inform our work.
• Cultural competence: We seek to understand and respect the values and customs of other cultures.
• Embrace uncertainty: We work with ambiguity and complexity.
• Dedication to excellence: We have a genuine passion and commitment to quality health care.

HOW TO APPLY:

To submit your application please click 'Apply Now' by the closing date.

Applications should include a copy of their current resume and a one-page cover letter outlining why you would be a great fit for this position, taking into consideration the required skills, knowledge and experience outlined in the position description.

For more information on the organisation, please visit Think Mental Health | Think Mental Health (thinkmh.com.au) Contact Officer: Liz Muldoon, Centre Manager, [email protected] using the subject line: Peer Worker - Canberra Medicare Mental Health Centre enquiry via EthicalJobs.

For further information about Canberra Head to Health, please visit our website.