• We are seeking someone with ‘lived experience’ of caring for a young person with mental health issues
• With ability to support families and carers
• The position is 0.4 EFT, Ongoing
• Based in Continuing Care Team, Region B, Sunshine

The Royal Melbourne Hospital

As one of the largest health services in Victoria, and a team of more than 10,000 strong, we provide a comprehensive range of specialist medical, surgical, and mental health services; as well as rehabilitation, aged care, outpatient and community programs. We are a designated state-wide provider for services including trauma, and we lead centres of excellence for tertiary services in several key specialties including neurosciences, nephrology, oncology, cardiology and virtual health.

Surrounded by a Parkville Precinct of brilliant thinkers, we collaborate to set new benchmarks in health excellence – benchmarks that impact across the globe. While the work we do takes us in inspiring new directions; caring for each other, our patients and consumers is as essential to who we are, as any scientific breakthrough we make. We put people first - leading with kindness and working together, we excel as one Royal Melbourne Hospital.

Your new team

• Orygen Youth Health (OYH), a program of NorthWestern Mental Health, provides specialist mental health services for young people aged 15 to 24 and focuses on providing early intervention to young people with severe and complex mental illness
• OYH also works alongside Orygen, the National Centre of Excellence in Youth Mental Health which operates four primary mental health care headspace services in the catchment area
• Multidisciplinary teams deliver individually tailored services that comprise assessment and crisis intervention, case management, medication, psychotherapy, family support, inpatient care, group work, vocational support, educational assistance, and intensive outreach
• Specialist clinical streams offer targeted interventions for psychotic disorders (including young people at ‘ultra-high risk’ of psychosis), mood disorders, and personality disorders; and also manage the co-morbid substance use disorders, eating disorders, and neurodevelopment disorders
• A specialist forensic stream also supports those youth in custodial care, transitioning to and from alongside supporting clinicians with clients with forensic specialist needs
• Streams are supported by the Psychosocial Recovery program and the Community Development program
• Additional information is available at www.oyh.org.au

Your success in this role, will be in your ability to

Offer support to families and carers of clients of Orygen Youth Health. Drawing on lived experience of supporting their own children, young adult family members and/or significant others, the role involves offering empathetic listening, providing support and information, befriending and peer support. This may be face-to-face, by telephone or using video conferencing platforms. The Family Peer Worker will be required to be self-motivated and directed and will demonstrate a sound ability to engage with a range of people. The role is integrated into clinical teams and supported by a small team of FPSWs and the Lead Family Worker, who are available to provide support, supervision and training.

Your Contribution

• “Lived experience” of supporting/caring for a young person with mental ill-health
• Knowledge and experience of the public mental health system
• Broad understanding of the differing perspectives of the impact of mental illness on families/carers and the community
• Ability to work closely with a wide variety of families/carers, clinical staff and relevant committees using both verbal and written skills
• An understanding of the diversity of the cultural and linguistic backgrounds of our community, and the impact this has on clients and family/carers experiences of mental illness
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills

Our Commitment to you

Here at The RMH we strive for excellence with a strong purpose that defines the work we do for our community – Advancing health for everyone, every day. This is the Melbourne Way.

We believe our success comes from our people. We’re committed to the RMH being a great place to work and a great place to receive care. We have made a long-term commitment to strengthen our organisational culture through leadership, education and empowering our staff to Speak Up for themselves and each other.

This is a role where your passion and expertise can come together to create a truly defining career opportunity. It is a unique opportunity to help us transform the future of the RMH and ultimately ensure we continue to deliver world class healthcare.

The RMH stands in solidarity with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in work and care. We are proud to be a workplace that champions diversity, inclusion and equality for our staff and our community. Our goal is for our people to feel safe, included and supported so that they can be at their best every single day. We encourage talented people from all backgrounds, abilities and identities to apply to our vacancies, and will consider adjustments to support such applications.

Interested?

For a confidential discussion please connect with Karen Smith or Susan Preece on 9966 9100.