Multiple positions, Full time or part time basis
Evening (12-8pm) shift availability is essential
About PANDA
Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Australia
We are a not-for-profit organisation who has spent 40 years supporting individuals and families affected by perinatal mental illness, including anxiety and depression, through Australia’s only national Perinatal Mental Health Helpline.
PANDA grew from a small community-based organisation, founded by a group of women who had first-hand experience in what it was like to struggle with postnatal depression, and wanted to assist other women with the same experience.
Funded primarily by the Commonwealth Department of Health and State governments, PANDA is the only national digital phone-based specialist perinatal mental health provider in Australia. The Helpline offers a range of free and accessible inbound and outbound services that are aligned with the ‘stepped’ model of care. The services are complimented by a range of digital resources and tools and complimentary education and training programs.
PANDA’s vision is a world where perinatal mental health is understood and valued. Where the health care system meets the needs of all people and where stigma and barriers to seeking help no longer exist.
We want people to know how and where they can access support and empower themselves to be the best they can be in the perinatal period and beyond.
Through the voices of people who have lived experience, their family, carers, and supporters, we inform governments, planners, providers, employers and the wider community to understand and support people experiencing perinatal mental health issues.
About the Telephone Counsellor role at PADNA…Does this sound like you?
PANDA currently has multiple opportunities to become a member of the PANDA team as a Telephone Counsellor on a full-time or part-time basis.
We are seeking passionate and skilled counsellors, committed to the emotional and psychological wellbeing of expecting and new parents to join our organisation.
PANDA’s National Helpline has a dual workforce of professional counsellors and Peer practitioners who work collaboratively to provide support to expecting and new parents.
PANDA currently has Telephone Counsellor vacancies in both our Generalist Counselling team and Intensive Care Coordination (ICC) teams.
Key duties and responsibilities of the Telephone Counsellor role include:
- Providing incoming and outgoing phone based clinical service delivery to expecting and new parents as well as their families and supports (including health professionals) affected by perinatal mental health difficulties.
- Clinical service delivery includes though is not limited to the following:
– Triage and brief assessment
– Counselling/ therapeutic intervention (single or multiple session)
– Psychoeducation
– Resource and information sharing
– Crisis intervention
– Service navigation and referral
– Risk assessment and intervention
– Secondary consultation
– Care Coordination
- Applying sound clinical judgement in all aspects of service delivery which is aligned with PANDA’s processes and policies, evidence-based frameworks and industry standards.
- Adhering to individual and organisational workplans, targets and KPIs.
- Recording and maintaining accurate client records, including data and case notes, using PANDA’s client record systems in a timely and accurate manner.
- Utilising systems required in aspects of service delivery across all helpline services which include but not limited to, Service Record System (SRS), Salesforce, Microsoft Teams and Outlook, Genesys cloud-based phone system, and Litmos (Learning Hub).
Key Selection Criteria to address in application cover letter:
- Please provide PANDA with evidence of your tertiary qualification in Psychology, Social Work, Occupational Therapy, Mental Health Nursing or another allied health field.
- Please describe your experience in the provision of clinical services within the Australian mental health system including:
- counselling
- assessment of mental health presentations and risk
- supporting people with complex needs
- undertaking crisis interventions
- care coordination and referral
- intake
3. Please describe your knowledge and experience with provision of services via telephone/internet.
4. Please State your preference for part time or full time, and your preference of workdays. PANDA has various shifts available Monday-Saturday between 9am-8pm, however evening availability is essential.
The successful applicant will also be able to demonstrate the following:
Essential:
- Membership or eligibility for membership to relevant professional body – AASW, AHPRA, APS, PACFA.
- Minimum of 2 years’ experience in mental health and/or counselling, including assessment of risk, working with complex needs and undertaking crisis interventions.
- Understanding and knowledge of the emotional, transitional and mental health difficulties and needs of new and expecting parents and their infants.
- Sound understanding of evidence-based frameworks, legislations and service standards that underpin mental health practice (both clinical and peer support), as well as the mental health system in Australia.
- Knowledge of the national perinatal and generalist referral pathways and support options.
- Understanding of the importance of data to both evidence services delivered for the caller and for PANDA programs and services more broadly for the community.
- Proof of tertiary qualifications and registrations as stipulated in the position description.
- Proof of right to work in Australia
- Criminal history record check
- Current Working With Children Check
Desirable:
- Experience in delivering mental health/counselling services in a phone based service or virtual environment.
- Experience in delivering specialised perinatal emotional, transitional and mental health support.
- Experience in triage/intake
- Experience in delivering education and training and resource/content development.
PANDA’s current operating hours are between 7.30am – 8.00pm Monday to Friday and 10.00am to 5.30pm Saturday AEST/AEDT. The Telephone Counsellor role must be available for rostered shifts during this time.
For more detailed information on this exciting opportunity, please refer to the position description, which can be found on our website, https://panda.org.au/about/working at PANDA.
Applications must include your resume, cover letter and responses to selection criteria above. Applicants that do not address the selection criteria in a cover letter, will not be considered.
Equity and diversity are integral to PANDA and we are continually working towards attracting and retaining a diverse workforce that represents and supports the communities we serve. We encourage applications from Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent, people of culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, dads, young parents, people from regional and rural communities, people with disabilities, and people who identify as LGBTIQA+.
Why PANDA?
- Work from home, anywhere in Australia
- Generous Not For Profit Salary Packaging available
- 17.5% annual leave loading
- Flexible working arrangements
- Inclusive, supportive, friendly and positive team culture
- Access to a range of Professional Development
- Access to Employee Assistance Program
- Working in a rich learning environment among experts in the field of perinatal mental health
This role can be undertaken while working from the office, working from home or a hybrid model of both. Applicants must have access to reliable internet and a suitable home working office space in order to perform the duties of the role safely and effectively. A PANDA laptop will be provided to the successful candidate in support of PANDA’s secure and flexible working arrangements.
Closing date for applications is midnight, Monday 28 August 2023. However, we do encourage you to apply as soon as possible as we intend to undertake interviews as required, pending applicant responses. People living interstate are encouraged to apply.
For any enquiries or if you require specific support to apply for this position, please contact: [email protected].