“Full citizenship for all people living with a mental illness in Australian society”

About the Role:

• Full time or Part time
• Maximum Term Contract until 30 June 2022

People with a serious mental illness have an increased likelihood of developing physical health issues including diabetes, various cancers and cardiovascular disease. It also appears that diagnosis and treatment of these conditions may be delayed in people with mental illness contributing to substantially higher levels of morbidity and mortality for those with a mental illness than the general population.

This role will work as part of the NSW Active8 program, a one-on-one support program where trained Peer Workers provide coaching sessions to support consumers in reaching their identified physical health goals. Sessions are delivered face-to-face, over the phone or via an online platform.

Peer Support Workers are integral members of the team and draw on their lived experience of recovery from mental illness, to instil confidence and hope in others about the journey of recovery. You must have a lived experience with mental illness and a rich understanding of your own processes of recovery. You must be willing to purposefully use your own story to help others further their own understanding of recovery.

What are we looking for?

• Lived experience of your own mental illness and a rich understanding of your own processes of recovery
• A willingness to purposefully use your own story to help others further their own understanding of recovery
• Ability to support consumers to look into and define their health goal
• When appropriate, roll with resistance, challenge behaviour-change, use coaching and motivational interviewing to explore the current stage of change
• Ability to foster and maintain respectful, professional relationships with consumers, staff and organisations
• You must have an appropriate length of time in recovery to be able to effectively and safely conduct the peer support worker role, and a willingness to continue to engage in recovery supports where appropriate.

About Neami National

Neami National is a community mental health service supporting people living with mental illness to improve their health, live independently and pursue a life based on their own strengths, values and goals. Neami National is also a significant provider of homelessness services across the country including NSW, Victoria and South Australia.

In our most recent Staff Engagement Survey, 89% of our Staff recommend Neami as a great place to work, with 87% of staff proud to say they work for Neami.

We acknowledge Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities as the Traditional Custodians of the land we work on and pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging. We recognise that their sovereignty was never ceded. Neami National is committed to cultivating inclusive environments for staff, consumers and carers. We celebrate, value and include people of all backgrounds, genders, sexualities, cultures, bodies and abilities. We are an environmentally conscious organisation.

Incentives include:

• Diverse and inclusive organisation
• Induction and extensive Learning and Development Program
• Regular Practice Development sessions and coaching with your supervisor
• Salary Packaging providing tax benefits available for living and entertainment expenses
• Excellent conditions including paid parental leave, generous long service leave, wellness and gratis leave

Application Procedure

The terms and conditions of the role are listed in the position description attached.

If you have any queries regarding this position, please contact:

Ana Lopez, Service manager: Ph (02) 8416 1185 | M 0423 790 692

No recruitment agency candidates need apply.

We celebrate multidisciplinary teams and value the rich skills and experiences brought by applicants from a range of sectors and professional backgrounds. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are encouraged to apply.