SETTING

First Step is a renowned not-for-profit addiction, mental health, and legal services hub in the heart of St Kilda. We provide services to thousands of vulnerable Victorians every year, with the firm belief that everybody deserves every chance to turn their lives around. First Step provides a uniquely multi-disciplinary team of General Practitioners, Registered Nurses, therapists, lawyers and care coordinators all of whom have decades of experience in addiction, mental health and legal services.

Our model of care is designed to address the systemic barriers faced by people with co-occurring illnesses including mental ill-health and prioritises welcome, empathy and hope. Through the compassionate application of multiple disciplines in a team environment we focus on incremental, whole-of-life improvements that build towards physical and mental health and wellbeing. We work to help people be connected to their families, participating in society, and taking control of their own lives.

THE ROLE

First Step’s Mental Health Service is looking for a practitioner with a very specific set of skills and experience to join our team. Reporting to the Manager of Mental Health Services, the Care Coordinator will provide non-clinical care coordination support to clients to help them achieve their goals. The Care Coordinator will be responsible for ensuring that clients psychosocial needs are being addressed by liaising with internal and external services and making appropriate referrals and advocating for optimal outcomes. The Care Coordinator will collaborate with the mental health team, as well as the broader team at First Step to provide best practice integrated care.

KEY SELECTION CRITERIA

The following minimum competencies are considered necessary:

Qualifications & Experience

• Tertiary Qualifications (minimum Diploma) in Community Services, Mental Health, AOD, Psychology, Social Work, Nursing or other relevant professional discipline.
• Minimum 3 years’ experience in a Primary or Community Setting
• Compliance with all statutory and professional standards

Skills

• Experience and expertise in working directly with people with mental health issues, AOD challenges and complex needs
• Experience in care coordination; including liaising with internal and external services and preparing referrals.
• Work closely within a multi-disciplinary team to contribute to the planning and implementation of support and treatment.
• Highly organised administrative skills
• Active, constructive participation as a member of a team
• Respect and consideration for the rights and well-being of co-workers by following policies and procedures.
• Demonstration of a high level of self-management
• Ability to use initiative and work under minimal supervision.
• Actively sharing information and ideas with colleagues and support each other to be successful in their relevant positions.

Desirable

• In depth knowledge of community services that support consumers with complex needs
• Working knowledge of the primary mental health care system
• Proficient in the use of medical database systems (for example, Medical Director and Pracsoft)

Key internal relationships

• First Step Clinical Lead
• Mental Health team members
• Reception and administrative staff
• GPs and clinical team (Nurses, AOD practitioners, Psychologists etc.)

Further detail can be found in the position description.

WHAT WE OFFER

Appointment status: fixed term for 4 days per week (contract is 52 weeks with possibility of extension). Candidates wishing to work fewer days (minimum 3 days per week) will be considered.

We offer:

• A flexible and autonomous working day within normal business hours
• A pro rata monthly RDO (E.g. 4 days per week allows 10 annual RDOs)
• Generous salary +12.5% Super
• Salary packaging up to $15,900

Note

First Step is an independent not-for-profit organisation that provides a safe and nurturing work environment for people of all backgrounds, genders, religions, sexualities, ethnicities, or any other factor. Candidates identifying as LGBTQI+ as well as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates are strongly invited to apply. People with a lived experience of mental illness or substance use are invited to address their experience from a strength-based perspective in their applications if they feel comfortable to do so. Note that there are designated peers at First Step and that many staff members have experience of drug or alcohol use and mental distress.