Peer Support Worker, Mental Health. Maximum Term Part Time & Casual - Dubbo

About the Organisation
Almost half of Australian adults will experience a mental health illness at some point in their life. You can make a meaningful difference to the Australian community by joining the Life Without Barriers team. Our mental health teams provide client-led, recovery-orientated mental health support, creating positive change in such a vital industry.

Life Without Barriers is a leading social purpose organisation of 8,000 employees working in more than 500 communities across Australia. We support children, young people and families, people with disability, older people and people with mental illness. We work with people who are homeless and refugees and asylum seekers. Join a community of people dedicated to breaking down barriers.  

We want to employ people who reflect the diversity of our clients to ensure we can support each client's individual needs and wants. We encourage people of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander background and people with disability to apply.

About the role

Join our new team in the voluntary subacute inpatient care and intervention program based in Dubbo (attached to the Dubbo Hospital) and provide support, education and hope through the mutual understanding of lived experiences and the sharing of knowledge which focus on the person – determination, empowerment and belief that it is possible to live well with a mental illness.

We are looking to fill one Max Term Part Time position (2-year contract, shift times are 8am to 6pm, 34 hours per fortnight) and one casual position. Monday and Saturday availability is required.

Key Responsibilities

• Engage and develop rapport with clients who are experiencing mental illness and other complex needs to understand their needs and to help them identify problems and areas for improvement and implement effective solutions.
• Encourage and support client’s to achieve their goals, sharing openly your own story when appropriate to do so, to engender hope and demonstrate a positive role model.
• Encourage individuals participation in decisions regarding their use of supports and enhancing their capacity to understand and manage their health and welfare needs
• Monitor and review client’s progress through the service and against the case plan and link clients in to mainstream and/or specialist services where required.
• Observe and accurately record the client’s behaviour, needs and interactions with others in case notes.
• Provide a lived experience knowledge base for staff
• Support Life Without Barriers to reduce the stigma associated with Mental Illness through involvement and/or support of a community education program. This may also involve marketing for community education events and building networks with other groups.

Skills & Experience

• Have a lived experience of mental illness and a level of recovery that enable you to have the confidence and resilience to share personal lived experience
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience of working with the issues faced by people with mental health issues
• Demonstrated ability to positively engage, interact and work with people who have complex needs including a Psychiatric disability
• Demonstrated ability to work with people from Diverse Cultural Backgrounds with specific reference to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
• Well-developed verbal and written communication skills
• Have a comprehensive understanding of the Recovery Framework and the underlying principles
• Current First Aid Certificate including CPR
• Current Drivers Licence and reliable vehicle and a minimum of third-party insurance

To be considered for and appointed to this position at Life Without Barriers, you must hold the following vaccinations:

• COVID-19 with a minimum of two (2) doses or hold a valid medical exemption certificate, in accordance with Life Without Barriers Employee COVID-19 Vaccination Policy

And as per as per NSW Health Requirements:

• Hepatitis B
• Diphtheria, Tetanus and Pertussis (DTP)
• Measles, Mumps & Rubella (MMR)
• Varicella
• Influenza
• Willing to complete the Tuberculosis (TB) Assessment Tool

You will be required to provide evidence of your vaccination status during the recruitment process.

Successful candidates will be required to clear probity checks including National Criminal History Record Check (paid by us).

Benefits

• Access to an extensive suite Employee Assistance Program
• Progress your mental health career at one of Australia's largest and leading Social Purpose Organisation
• Join an organisation focussed on diversity and inclusion
• Enjoy exclusive salary packaging on everyday living expenses (including mortgage, rent and bills) and gain access to a range of employee discounts

How to Apply
Include your resume and covering letter in one document, click ‘Apply’ and follow the prompts. For any enquiries including persons with disability that require adjustments, contact Caprisse Angemi via caprisse.angemi@lwb.org.au