October 17, 2024

Southern NSW Local Health District

Queanbeyan

FULL TIME & OTHER

Aboriginal Mental Health - Wellbeing Peer Worker - Queanbeyan

Employment Type: Temporary Full Time
Location: Queanbeyan
Position Classification: Health Education Officer
Remuneration: $34.82 - $55.64 per hour
Hours Per Week: 38
Requisition ID: REQ527239

Applications Close: 26 October 2024
Interview Details: Scheduled within 10 days of closing

The Welcome Experience | NSW Government

Southern NSW Local Health District covers a large area of the southern half of NSW. Surrounding the ACT on three sides and all the way down to the Victorian border, it extends from the pristine beaches of the NSW South Coast, the farmlands of the Southern Tablelands, across the picturesque Great Dividing Range and the spectacular Snowy Mountains. We have 18 facilities and our hospitals take care of more than 200,000 people. As we are a major local employer, our staff are a part of our local communities. To find out more on what it is like to live and work in Southern NSW LHD click here – We are Southern

What we offer:

Flexible work arrangements

Salary Packaging – up to $9k for living expenses + $2.6k meal & entertainment + Novated leasing

Corporate Health and Fitness program

10.5% Superannuation on top of your gross income

Annual Leave Loading

Where you will be working
There is an abundance of lifestyle benefits available to you in country NSW and you will be amazed at what you will have access to - and it all comes without the queues and crowds of a big city. Bega the rural heartland of the Sapphire Coast halfway between Melbourne and Sydney, a short drive to beautiful sandy beaches and national park wilderness. Just 3 hours to Canberra with the perfect climate to the outdoors all year round, including whale watching between June and November. The pretty valley is a beautiful base for exploring gorgeous beaches, tranquil waterways and beautiful national parks. Imagine Rural - Southern NSW Local Health District

What you'll be doing

The Aboriginal Mental Health & Wellbeing Peer Worker will utilise their lived experiences to support Aboriginal consumers accessing community mental health services to support the delivery of culturally safe services.
The Aboriginal Mental Health & Wellbeing Peer Worker will work closely alongside clinical teams to support consumers in developing hope, autonomy and purpose and support engagement with family and community. The peer worker will encourage culture, spirituality, and identity and basic needs work, roles, and responsibilities; education; physical health; and mental health. The role will also ensure that clinical settings are a culturally safe and welcoming environment for Aboriginal consumers.
The Aboriginal Mental Health & Wellbeing Peer Worker must be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the local Aboriginal community and engage and involve Aboriginal community when drawing from lived experience of mental health issues. Aboriginal Mental Health & Wellbeing Peer Worker is an integral part of the service and it is expected that the Aboriginal Mental Health & Wellbeing Peer Worker will work as equal partners with clinicians in providing proactive community support for Aboriginal people with mental health issues.
The position is supported to complete appropriate training and education within the scope of the role. It is an expectation of this role that candidates have completed or are willing to undertake appropriate training (E.g. Certificate IV in Mental Health Peer Work) as part of their employment with the service. As per the award the position will be renumerated dependent upon the appointee’s qualifications and experience.

Selection Criteria

Must be of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent (NB applicant’s race is a genuine occupational qualification and is authorised by Section 14 of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1977, NSW) and have established links with their local Aboriginal community.

Hold a minimum of Certificate IV in Mental Health Peer Work (or equivalent), or willingness and commitment to obtain within 18months of employment.

Ability to utilise lived experience to support others in their own mental health and wellbeing recovery journey.

A demonstrated knowledge of the Aboriginal concept of social and emotional wellbeing including and understanding of Aboriginal family structure and Aboriginal culture and wisdom. This will include an understanding of the practical and emotional issues that may arise when working with Aboriginal individuals with mental health concerns and their families.

Understanding of the challenges Aboriginal consumers may experience in accessing mental health services and demonstrated ability to liaise, proactively engage and work collaboratively with vulnerable communities and relevant agencies in ensuring culturally responsive services.

Ability to facilitate peer-led supports, recovery groups (yarning circles) supporting others on their recovery journey through recovery planning, navigating the system and encourage community to access support.

Evidence of a current unrestricted drivers’ licence and the ability to maintain. Ability and willingness to drive/travel as the role requires. This may involve driving long distances and overnight stays.

Southern NSW Local Health District is committed to building a workforce that reflects the community it serves. We strive to deliver responsive healthcare by fostering a workplace that values lived experience and celebrates diversity. Our workplace is inclusive, respectful, collaborative and safe. We warmly welcome people of diverse backgrounds to apply for a role at Southern. We encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people of all age groups people with caring responsibilities, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, people with disability, people who identify as LGBTIQ+, and people who identify as neurodivergent.

Applicants can request reasonable adjustments at any stage of the recruitment process. Please contact (convenor) should you require assistance.

If you are an Aboriginal person and seek support in applying for a role, please visit the Stepping Up website, which has been designed to support Aboriginal job applicants in applying for positions at NSW Health. Visit: Stepping up

Occupational Assessment, Screening and Vaccination against Specific Diseases

This is a Category ‘A’ position, please read and understand NSW Health policy directive PD2024_015 All new employees must agree to comply with the requirements outlined in this policy. OASV requirements also include proof of vaccination against influenza and is compulsory for NSW Staff that enter any Residential Aged Care Facility (RACF) or who work in NSW Health owned and operated RACFs.

Australian Work Rights
Please note that to apply for this position you must be an Australian Citizen or Permanent Resident of Australia or be able to independently and legally live and work in Australia by way of your own Temporary Visa. For more information, please see www.immi.gov.au

Need more information?
1) Click here for the Position Description
2) Find out more about applying for this position
For role related queries or questions contact Yvonne Mc Aviney on 0408 275 179 / 02 6150 7070 or email Yvonne.Mc Aviney@health.nsw.gov.au