Reporting to the Mental Health Team Leader the purpose of this role is to provide psychosocial support services to people with severe mental illness resulting in reduced psychosocial functional capacity. This position, in partnership with families and carers (as appropriate), will provide a range of non-clinical community-based support to individuals to achieve their recovery goals. The focus is on psychosocial support, not clinical support. Lived Experience workers will assist clients to link with clinical services provided by mental health nurses and support an integrated team approach to meeting the needs of the individual and form part of a multi-agency care plan. The aim of this support is for the Lived Experience Worker to work collaboratively with mental health nurses to assist clients to effectively manage their symptoms and avoid potentially preventable hospitalisation.

Lived Experience workers draw on their lived experience to play unique roles in encouraging and supporting the recovery of people experiencing mental health issues by:

• Providing person-centred, relationship focused, trauma informed, holistic recovery oriented coordinated care.
• Focusing on collaboration, integrated and coordinated care.
• Using all available resources (phone, telehealth options, home visits etc.) to facilitate client engagement and early intervention, flexibility and timely service response.
• Collaborating with other relevant services to support integration (including Stepped Care and acute services) to improve people’s experience of care and overall mental health and wellbeing.
• Providing evidence-based intervention to people with complex and severe mental illness. Key areas of activity could focus on building capacity and stability in one or more of the following areas:
• Social skills and friendships; family connections.
• Managing daily living needs.
• Financial management and budgeting; finding and maintaining a home.
• Vocational skills and goals, including volunteering; educational and training goals.
• Maintaining physical wellbeing, including exercise.
• Managing drug and alcohol additions, including tobacco.
• Building broader life skills including confidence and resilience.

These services may be delivered face to face or via telephone/video conferencing depending on client capacity and choice.

Lived Experience Workers will provide person-centred, relationship focused, trauma-informed support to clients to assist with their recovery. This is achieved by providing a range of non-clinical supports which can be provided at individual or group levels.

Key Responsibilities

• Promote cultural awareness and competence within the HealthWISE team and in interactions with consumers, stakeholders and communities.
• Promote the safety, wellbeing and empowerment of children.
• Comply with HealthWISE policy and procedures and Code of Conduct as well as all relevant legislation and regulatory standards.
• Actively contribute to the growth and financial sustainability of HealthWISE through identifying new business opportunities, efficiencies, cost savings and innovative solutions.

Role Criteria

Essential

• Minimum of Cert 4 in Mental Health or Peer Support or equivalent Mental Health related discipline.
• Knowledge of the National standards for Mental health Services.
• A personal lived experience of Mental Health.
• Knowledge of the Strength Based Approach and how it can be applied.
• Experience in Psycho-Social support programs and community support groups.
• Demonstrated attitude and behaviours that are in keeping with the company’s values of client focus, empowerment, courage and excellence.
• Demonstrated commitment to the delivery of quality, consistent and continuous health services to local communities.
• Demonstrated understanding of issues affecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and their health.
• Current unrestricted and unencumbered Driver’s Licence.
• Willingness to travel and work after hours if required.
• Willingness to consent to a National Police Check.
• Hold a current Working with Children Check (NSW) or Blue Card (QLD) or willingness to obtain.
• Maintain vaccinations as required and provide proof of vaccination if requested.

Desirable

• Experience working and engaging with regional Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in a primary health care setting.