Senior Aboriginal Mental Health and AOD Worker

• Be part of the change in the delivery of Mental Health Services in Victoria
• Relocation Opportunity to Geelong – Assistance Packages available 
• NFP – Access to Salary Packaging

About the new service

The Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System has challenged us to think beyond incremental improvement to deliver a mental health system that helps all Victorians live their best lives. In a region characterised by fragmentation, complexity, and access barriers, implementing the Greater Geelong and Borough of Queenscliffe (GGQ) Local Mental Health and Wellbeing Service is a key step in realising this goal.

The GGQ Local Mental Health and Wellbeing Service is delivered by a consortium of equal partners: Barwon Health, Watharoung Aboriginal Cooperative Ltd, Wellways Australia and ERMHA365.

The GGQ Local Service is underpinned by positivity, hope and inclusion. No matter whether a consumer, carer or provider enters or seeks assistance via digital platforms, contact centre, or physical locations, the first engagement will always start with a simple question: “Welcome, how can we help?” Drawing on established services, networks, and pathways, the GGQ Local Services provides seamless integration between local, area and wellbeing services for the benefit of consumers, carers, and providers. This is supported through standardised assessment tools, treatment and support processes, care plans and care coordination, colocation of services and regional navigational pathways.

The three core elements of our service are people, purpose, and place. We are seeking a highly motivated mental health professional who is capable of facilitating excellence in integrated, holistic health care, with the goal of improving outcomes for consumers, carers, and the wider community.

About the Role

The GGQ Mental Health and Wellbeing Local is underpinned by positivity, hope and inclusion. No matter whether a consumer, carer or provider enters or seeks assistance via digital platforms, contact centre, or physical locations, the first engagement will always start with a simple question: “Welcome, how can we help?”. Drawing on established services, networks, and pathways, the GGQ Mental Health and Wellbeing Local provides seamless integration between local, area and wellbeing services for the benefit of consumers, carers, and providers. This is supported through standardised assessment tools, treatment and support processes, care plans and care coordination, colocation of services and regional navigational pathways.

The Senior Aboriginal Mental Health and AOD worker role aims to enhance the effectiveness of the Aboriginal community members management and treatment of mental health and substance use disorders. By providing culturally appropriate care that contributes to improvement in Mental Health and substance abuse outcomes of Aboriginal community members, through the provision of:

• Assessing of Aboriginal peoples needs relating to IAR levels of care required
• Providing case management, ongoing assessment, and direct support to Aboriginal people with complex needs.
• Encouraging and raising awareness within the Aboriginal community on how to take positive action to deal with Mental Health and alcohol and other drugs issues 
• To work with the Health Service team, other Wathaurong programs and external agencies to develop effective strategies for appropriate referral and case management of clients. 

About You
The successful candidate will have:

• Relevant qualifications (or working toward) in Community Services, Social Work, Psychology, or related area and/or experience providing support services 
• Demonstrated skills and experience in AOD and mental health assessment and screening 
• Demonstrated high level of knowledge and understanding of the drug and alcohol treatment sector, the mental health sector and community support services 
• Sound Knowledge of Aboriginal Culture, issues affecting Aboriginal people, and Aboriginal Service Sector.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with ability to develop positive stakeholder relationships and communicate with diverse individuals in a culturally appropriate manner
• Ability to demonstrate resilience and work in challenging and high-pressured environments
• Strong written communication skills including a high level of accuracy, record keeping, and report writing abilities 
• Ability to work effectively and cooperatively as part of a team and follow processes 
• Knowledge of safe and appropriate culturally centred practices for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander focused services, including employment of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people.
• Demonstrated understanding of social, physical, economical, and cultural strengths and challenges affecting Aboriginal communities and their ability to access adequate and quality services.

Desirable

• Identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander.
• Demonstrated experience working with Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations

*A police check, Working with Children Check, Vaccination Certificate and current Driver Licence are required for all positions.

Diversity and Inclusion
The GGQ Local Mental Health and Wellbeing Service is committed to reconciliation, lived experience and inclusivity. We strongly encourage and warmly welcome people from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, people with a lived experience of mental health and disability and people who identify as LGBTIQA+ to apply. Even if you only meet some of the criteria, we’d love to hear from you. If we can assist you with any reasonable adjustments in order to submit your application for this role, please contact the Human Resources Team via email at [email protected] noting your preferred method of communication and contact details and a member of the team will be in touch.

About Us

Please visit our website for further information: www.wathaurong.org.au 

How to Apply

A Position Description can be viewed on our website at: http://www.wathaurong.org.au/careers-with-us/ 

Applications and enquiries should be sent via SEEK or emailed to: [email protected]   

Applications should consist of a current resume and a cover letter, submitted in Word or PDF format before the closing date of Thursday 22 December 2022