Peer Worker Level 2 (Lived Experience Workforce)

• Full Time Permanent Position, Fairfield Location
• Salary Packaging Options available – Mortgage, Rent, Car, Expenses
• Leading provider of forensic mental health services across Victoria, Australia
• Salary range $68,874 to $73,070 PSW2 Y1 -Y4 + super & benefits.

About Forensicare

Forensicare (the Victorian Institute of Forensic Mental Health) is the leading provider of forensic mental health services across Victoria, Australia. We deliver recovery-focused programs to consumers with serious mental illnesses across the Victorian justice system, mental health sector and the community – from early intervention and prevention to inpatient care, rehabilitation, and community transition support.

Lived Experience Workforce

Lived experience workers are an integral part of implementing recovery approaches for mental health consumers and carers. Lived experience workers bring expertise developed from their own mental health experiences. They have the knowledge and skills to provide support for consumers and carers and act as a conduit to effective treatments and services. They support services by providing their knowledge and insight about what works best for consumers and carers. Their presence provides a role model for recovery, helps break down stigma and contributes to vastly improved service delivery. As a lived experience worker, you will work closely with consumers, family members and carers to promote participation and provide a responsive service to meet the needs of families and carers of people with serious mental illness

About the Role

The purpose of this position is to provide support and advocacy for consumers at Thomas Embling Hospital. The Peer Support Worker will work collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams to provide direct support to consumers during their recovery. The position will also work as part of the Lived Experience Team.

The position is based at Thomas Embling Hospital, Fairlfield, however you may be required to work at other sites from time to time

Your primary functions will be but not limited to.

• Facilitate/Co-facilitate Recovery Groups
• Work with a recovery focus to foster hope and empower consumers.
• Share relevant recovery strategies and stories based on your own lived experience.
• Support consumers to attend and have their voice heard in appointments, Care Pathway Meetings or other relevant meetings, Forensic Leave Panels, Mental Health Tribunalor Court hearings , as requested by consumers.
• Co-write notes with consumers about peer interactions on relevant documentation software
• Maintain statistical record of interactions on the Peer Work Log for evaluation and research purposes.
• Support consumer leadership and participation in their treatment and recovery.
• Provide informal, practical support to consumers, including listening to consumer concerns, providing information about the Forensic Mental Health System and assisting consumers to access appropriate supports

Skills and experience

• Lived Experience as a consumer of mental health services
• Considerable experience in a similar designated consumer lived experience role
• Qualifications in Mental Health or a willingness to work towards such.
• Knowledge and understanding of the experiences of consumers in the Forensic Mental Health system.
• Excellent organisational skills with a demonstrated ability to prioritise competing tasks and meet competing deadlines.
• Advanced computer skills in software applications including Microsoft Office applications such as Microsoft Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Outlook and Sharepoint.
• Proven ability to handle confidential and sensitive information (e.g. criminal history records) with discretion and in a non-judgemental way.
• Ability to work within a team and to manage workload with limited supervision. Respect for individual diversity and an understanding of how to respond sensitively to issues of diversity (i.e. cultural, linguistic, gender, sexuality, age, etc.

Benefits

• Celebration and reward for good performance, through employee recognition.
• A mental health and wellbeing program provided
• Professional Development training opportunities to suit your career goal
• Access to an employee assistance program – an external, confidential, self-referral employee wellbeing program, for personal or work-related matters.
• Fitness passport – discounted unparalleled access to a wide range of gyms, pools and fitness centres
• Yearly retention payment of $2000 to Full Time employees, pro rata for Part Time
• Refer a friend program, get up to a $1000
• Salary sacrificing of $9,010 and $2650 meal allowance per annum
• Social Club, access to discounted cinema tickets, AFL games, Zoos, Concerts etc
• Comprehensive Orientation Day before you start, and buddy system available

Ready to Apply

For a detailed position description please click here LE - Inpatient Services - Peer Worker Level 2.pdf

For more information on Careers at Forensicare, visit https://www.forensicare.vic.gov.au/careers

Eligibility Requirements

• This position is subject to a Police Check.
• COVID19 & Influenza Vaccination Evidence

Forensicare is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to attracting and developing a diverse workforce which reflects the community we serve. We encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people who identify as LGBTQI, people with a lived experience of disability, as well as people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. Forensicare promotes our guiding principles of curiosity, purpose, strong ethics, compassion and fairness; and promotes behaviours that are consistent with these values at all times. Forensicare is an equal opportunity employer and offers a smoke free environment.