Peer Worker - Drug Alcohol and Addiction

Monash Health is a great place to work

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 Consumer, Peer Worker on a part time (hours/days ongoing basis. The successful application will have Lived, or Living, Drug and Alcohol experience.  This position is to work within the Needle & Syringe Program (NSP), based in Dandenong and also outreach.

The Peer Worker role provides both onsite and outreach services within a harm reduction framework to individuals and groups experiencing addictive behaviours. Drawing on lived or living experience with alcohol and other drug (AOD) use, the role focuses on improving health, wellbeing, and inclusion through support, education, brief interventions, and connection to treatment and referral services.

Key Responsibilities will include:

• Provide basic health interventions, education, sterile injecting equipment, and harm minimisation information (e.g. vein/wound care, BBV, STIs).
• Deliver one-on-one peer support using lived experience to build trust, inspire hope, and promote recovery.
• Co-facilitate consumer peer recovery groups and provide psychoeducation.
• Support clients in navigating the AOD system and accessing relevant services.
• Promote safer use and disposal of injecting equipment and ensure NSP outreach vehicles and sites are well-stocked.
• Accurately record client data using the Department of Health NSP Portal.

Team & Program Contributions:

• Participate in program development and continuous improvement from a consumer perspective.
• Collaborate with service staff and stakeholders; engage in reflective supervision and peer workforce development.
• Contribute to community engagement efforts that reduce stigma and promote community safety.

This is a meaningful opportunity to support others through your own lived experience and be part of a team dedicated to compassionate, non-judgemental care.

About Us

The Needle and Syringe Program (NSP) provides a free and integrated service for people who inject drugs. The NSP service is committed to providing a confidential, non-judgemental and accessible service.  No referral required.  It operates on a drop-in basis. 

The NSP Outreach service provides sterile injecting and other equipment across the Cities of Greater Dandenong, Casey and Frankston. 

About You 

We’re looking for someone who can connect with people in a warm, respectful, and non-judgemental way. You’ll use a strength-based, motivational approach to support individuals through harm reduction strategies, brief interventions, education, and by helping them build community connections and access useful information. 

Qualifications/registrations/licences (italics indicate desirable): 

• Lived experience of problematic substance use and mental illness 
• Tertiary qualification relevant discipline (e.g. alcohol and other drugs, community development, social work) 
• Completion of Intentional Peer Support (IPS) training (or willingness to complete) 
• Completion of Certificate IV in Mental Health Peer Work or similar qualifications (or willingness to complete) 
• AOD Certificate IV or higher, with minimum two years relevant work experience 
• Current Victorian Driver’s License 

Technical skills/knowledge/experience:

• Lived Experience, knowledge, skills and experience 
• Consumer who has lived and/or living experience of mental health challenges and ongoing recovery/stabilisation/management and have experience as a mental health service user 
• Applicants must consider themselves to be work ready and capable of reflecting on how their own lived experience interacts with that of others 
• Applicants must consider themselves to be within a reasonable foundation of wellness 
• Monash Health acknowledges that recovery can look different for everyone, for some it is linear and for others, ongoing 
• Ability to use own experience to inspire hope and belief in recovery 

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.
• Professional development – access to 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.
• Employee wellbeing – benefit from a comprehensive Employee Assistance Program (EAP), staff wellbeing initiatives, and a strong focus on work-life balance.
• Career mobility – opportunities to work across Victoria’s largest public health service with a wide range of roles and career pathways.
• Diverse and inclusive workplace – join an organisation that celebrates and embraces diversity and fosters a culture of respect and belonging.

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 Tanya Clarke on 9792 7630.

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.

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. 

Applications close: 25 July 2025