PainLink Peer Guides deliver a telephone callback service supporting Australians with chronic pain and their carers. Callers leave a voice message and are phoned back by a Peer Guide who has a lived experience of chronic pain. Our Peer Guides offer callers peer support, encouragement, referrals, health system navigation, and practical information about chronic pain self-management and multidisciplinary approaches to health. Peer Guides also provide some personalised email support to certain callers, which requires strong skills in written English. We provide no legal, medical, workers compensation or industrial relations advice.

Peer Guides must have a current or past experience of chronic pain (persistent pain that has lasted for 3 months or more) and meet additional skill and screening requirements as outlined in the Essential Criteria below. We strongly encourage you to read the attached position description before applying.

We are looking for volunteer Peer Guides based anywhere in Australia. The role is fully remote and you will need your own reliable laptop/computer and telephone to undertake this volunteer role. We ask that PainLink Peer Guides aim to commit to a minimum 4-hour shift per week for at least 12 months. We will be flexible around your other life commitments including family, work, sickness, holidays and pain flare-ups. Training is provided through an induction program, Induction Modules, written policies and materials, interactive mentoring sessions, buddy systems and formal supervision. Our organisation offers additional support, learning, mentoring and development opportunities to benefit you in your role as well as in your career.

Requirements of the position:

Essential

• You have chronic pain that has lasted three months or more
• You have tertiary qualifications (completed) or work experience in counselling, psychology, social work, case work or a related field
• You have good self-management and self-care strategies manage your pain
• You have excellent verbal and written communication skills
• You can commit to the volunteer role for at least 12 months
• You have completed National Criminal Record Check and Blue Card/Working With Children Check (OR you are willing to obtain these before you start with us)
• You are willing, able and have the time to be trained as a Peer Guide

Desirable

• You have participated in a Pain Management Program, Chronic Pain Education Program or a self-guided pain education course before
• You have work experience, qualifications or training in suicide prevention

A position description is attached.

Please contact [email protected] using the subject line: Peer Guide - Painlink Help Line (Voluntary) - Remote / Work From Home enquiry via EthicalJobs if you would like more information about the role.

As this is a highly sought after role, we are limited in the number of applicants we can accept. Only applications that address all essential selection criteria in their cover letter will be considered for shortlisting. Applicants who meet all criteria including the desirable criteria will be prioritised.