Senior Consumer Peer Worker - Mental Health

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Monash Health is Victoria’s largest and most comprehensive health service. For more than 170 years, Monash Health and its predecessors have provided safe, high-quality healthcare and service for people at every life stage. To see first-hand what our colleagues think about working here, take a look at the following short videos: monashhealth.org/careers.

Embark on a rewarding career and be part of a team where your dedication makes a difference in people’s lives. 

About the Role 

Join our team as a Senior Consumer Peer Worker - Mental Health on a full time or part time capacity, on an ongoing basis. This position will work across Casey and Dandenong Hospital Emergency Department (ED). 

As an integral and highly valued member of the multi-disciplinary team, Consumer Peer Workers will aim to connect with consumers presenting at the ED requiring assessment, providing reassurance, empathy and understanding, and mutual support to help identify individual support needs.

Consumer Peer Workers will also continue to support patients following their discharge from the ED for up to 28 days, as part of the assertive outreach service, to assist in connecting with the services to support them in their caring role.  Consumers will be followed up both by phone and by face to face contacts in community clinics, other community settings and their own homes.

The peer worker role is based on the provision of mutual support. Peer workers do not have any function or powers under the Mental Health Act, including the monitoring or supervision of consumers on Assessment or Treatment Orders, the use of Restrictive Interventions, or supervising consumers on escorted leave.

The Senior Consumer Peer Worker (level 3) will form part of a 7-day rotating roster on the Engage Team.

About Us

Monash Health is one of the largest Lived and Living Experience Workforce employers in Victoria, encompassing both Consultants and Peer Workers. Our Peer Workforce, which includes both Consumer and Family/Carer Peer Workers, is integral to several of our inpatient units, community teams, emergency departments, and drug and alcohol services. We are dedicated to fostering a safe and supportive workplace, reinforced by strong professional leadership, reflective supervision, and opportunities for connection through co-reflection, employee forums, and ongoing professional development.
 

The Engage Team commenced at Casey Hospital in mid-2021 and it has since expanded to the Dandenong Emergency Department (ED) at the beginning of 2022. The team initially consisted of Senior Social Workers and now includes a Senior Consumer Peer Worker and a Mental Health/AOD Nurse. 

About Us

As a designated consumer lived experience role, you will have a declared personal experience of living with mental illness, and experience of the mental health system.

You possess a deep understanding of mental health challenges through your own lived experience as a consumer and are passionate about supporting others. You have a genuine commitment to enhancing the lives of individuals with mental health difficulties and their carers. With a strong focus on inclusion, diversity, and person-centred care, you bring excellent communication and interpersonal skills to your work. Your enthusiasm, compassion, and ability to collaborate effectively within a multidisciplinary team set you apart. You are driven to pursue a meaningful and purposeful career, with a desire to grow as a lived experience health professional. As an experienced peer worker, you are dedicated to fostering reflective practice in collaboration with others.

To ensure your success in this role you will demonstrate the following key skills, experience and knowledge (see attached Position Description for a complete list of requirements):

• Declared personal experience of living with mental illness, including experience as a mental health service user.
• Ability to use your own lived experience to inspire hope in belief and recovery.
• Knowledge of peer work principles and the ability to support others from a mutual perspective.
• Completion of Intentional Peer Support (IPS) training.

• Completion of, or working towards, Certificate IV in Mental Health Peer Work or similar qualification.
• Minimum of 2 years’ experience working as a peer worker or equivalent role is desirable.

In Return

As a valued member of the Monash Health team, you’ll have access to a wide range of benefits designed to support your wellbeing, development, and career progression, including:

• Salary packaging – increase your take-home pay with generous salary packaging options as well as access to Higher Education Recognition Allowance.
• Professional development – access to reflective supervision, group co-reflection spaces, ongoing training, education, and leadership opportunities to support your career growth.
• Supportive team environment – work within a collaborative, multidisciplinary team that values innovation, compassion, and excellence as well as Support and mentoring from Peer Work Leads.
• Employee wellbeing – benefit from a comprehensive Employee Assistance Program (EAP), staff wellbeing initiatives, and a strong focus on work-life balance.
• Career mobility – funded Lived & Living Experience professional development and training opportunities.
• Diverse and inclusive workplace – join an organisation that celebrates and embraces diversity and fosters a culture of respect and belonging.
• Workplace Forums - Quarterly Lived & Living Experience Workforce forums.

At Monash Health, you’ll be making a difference in the lives of individuals and communities while advancing your career in a leading healthcare organisation.

For a confidential discussion and to explore the opportunity further, please call Engage Team Manager, Ruth Humphreys on 0458 830 854, or Consumer Peer Work Lead, Mat Curson on 0417 103 142

Position Description can be found here.

We recognise the value of equal employment opportunity. We are committed to patient safety, promoting fairness, equity and diversity in the workplace and to Child Safe Standards. At Monash Health we are relentless in our pursuit of excellence and work to our six guiding principles and our five iCare values. To learn more about our organisation visit monashhealth.org.

How to Apply

Applications are accepted via the Monash Health online eHub system. For information including how to apply and probity check requirements, please click here for the ‘Application Guide’.

Applications will be screened upon receipt and selection activity may commence prior to the closing date.

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