• Use lived experience of mental ill health and recovery to support clients return to their community and enjoy a meaningful life
• Permanent | Part Time role (19.5 hours per week)
• Heidelberg Location

Mind strongly encourages applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, people with a lived and living experience of mental distress and recovery, and applicants from all cultures, genders, sexualities, bodies, abilities, spiritualities, ages and backgrounds. 

Mind Australia is one of the country’s leading community-managed specialist mental health service providers with a range of residential, mobile outreach, centre based and online services. We have been supporting people living with the day-to-day impacts of mental illness, as well as their families, friends and carers for over 45 years. 

We provide practical and motivational support that helps people to develop the skills they need to move on, thrive and improve the quality of their lives. It’s an approach to mental health and wellbeing that looks at the whole person in the context of their daily life. Mind is committed to diversity and social inclusion. 

About the role

The Post-Discharge Peer Support Initiative (PDPSI), in partnership with the North East Area Clinical Mental Health Services (NEAMHS), enables clients with severe mental illness to receive clinical intervention, treatment and active support for recovery in a safe and supportive setting. PDPSI is a new approach to post-discharge support with recovery practice principles as a key service objective and tailored assistance from peer workers in the immediate post-discharge period to minimise risk of readmission to an inpatient unit.

We are seeking a self-motivated, compassionate Peer Practitioner for a permanent, part time (19.5 hours per week) opportunity to work alongside a close knit team in the Heidelberg area. You will utilise your lived experience of mental ill health and recovery to engage with clients providing empathetic and positive support.

Key responsibilities

• Utilise your own lived experience of mental ill health and recovery to inform your work and the work of the team.
• Deliver high quality services and facilitate positive educational and social experiences.
• Support clients to return to their community and enjoy a meaningful life through an individual approach to recovery.
• Plan and deliver group programs that aid clients to build their skills and focus on recovery.
• Collaborate with a range of services and the community to ensure a co-ordinated, integrated response to the client’s recovery goals.

What you’ll bring

• Tertiary qualifications (minimum Certificate IV) in Mental Health, Psychology, Social Work, Occupational Therapy or other health-related field.
• Prior lived experience and willingness to support clients through sharing learnings and recovery-orientated practice is required.
• Expertise in working with people with severe mental health issues, complex needs and collaborating with families and carers.
• Demonstrated understanding of the Community Services sector and ability to build strong relationships with service providers, clinical teams and key stakeholders. 

What we Offer

• Salary packaging up to $15,899 p.a. allows you to allocate a portion of your pre-tax income to cover living expenses (e.g. rent, mortgage, child care, car leasing expenses etc.)
• Option to access Meal and Entertainment allowance up to $2,650 p.a. via Salary Packaging.
• Access to our Employee Assistance Program (EAP), provided by Converge International, for you and your immediate family members.
• Fitness Passport - Access to our corporate health and fitness program, providing you and family with access to a wide choice of fitness facilities. 

Interested?

To obtain a position description and apply online click Apply Now to visit Mind Careers - reference number 495358. Please contact the person below for more information. 

Chris Van Saane, Service Manager - Austin Health CRP & PARC

[email protected] 

The successful applicant is required to complete comprehensive reference and background checking prior to employment, including a Working with Children Check, NDIS Workers Screening Check and the ability to obtain vaccinations against COVID-19.