Peer Support Worker & Personal Helpers and Mentors (PHaMS) Worker
Job No:
16481
Location:
Bourke, NSW
- Join a recognised leading provider of mental health services
- Enjoy a challenging and rewarding role working within a professional, dynamic and fun team
- Attractive remuneration with tax-free salary packaging benefits up to $16,050 per year
- Two positions available - 1 x Full Time Peer Support Worker and 1 x Full Time PHaMs Worker
About the Organisation
The Richmond Fellowship of New South Wales (RFNSW) is a rapidly growing NGO. For over 30 years, we have provided community-based mental health support and rehabilitation services throughout metropolitan, regional, rural and remote New South Wales.
We are recognised as a leading provider of mental health services and promote the rights of those with mental illness.
RFNSW is committed to providing high quality services and is looking for an insightful, innovative and adaptable individual dedicated to making a difference in mental health.
The RFNSW:
- Provides a range of accommodation services with varying levels of support that enable people with mental illness to live in the community in an environment of support and acceptance.
- Provides and facilitates access to recovery and psychosocial rehabilitation programs that assist each person to maximise his or her potential to function at an optimum individual level.
- Supports people to be able to take greater responsibility for their lives.
- Provides flexible services in response to the identified needs of people with mental illness.
- Involves friends and families in the service.
- Promotes positive attitudes towards people with a mental illness in the community and to challenge and overcome prejudice and stigma.
- Lobbies for increased resources to improve services for people with a mental illness.
About the Program
The Personal Helpers and Mentors Program (PHaMs) is a program funded by Australian Government Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA). It focuses on providing support to people who have a severe functional limitation resulting from a severe mental illness at various stages in their recovery.
The program supports people in different ways including:
- Helping people to better manage their daily activities like housekeeping, shopping budgeting and using public transport;
- Working with people to reconnect to their community;
- Helping people get relationships with family and friends back on track;
- Accessing appropriate clinical support;
- Providing direct and personalised assistance through outreach services; and
- Helping people connect with other services or programs that can help like drug and alcohol, housing or medical support.
About the Opportunities
The Richmond Fellowship of New South Wales (RFNSW) is seeking a full-time Personal Helpers and Mentors (PHaMs) Worker and a full-time Peer Support Worker to join their team in Bourke.
These positions are for a fixed-term period to 30 June 2011.
Peer Support Worker
Reporting to the Team Leader, the primary focus of this role will be to assist people recovering from mental illness and overcoming social isolation. The peer support worker will help build relationships based on trust and respect, as each peer support worker understands the participant's experiences and challenges and can provide encouragement and recovery support.
Your main responsibilities will include:
- Complementing PHAM's workers in the management of case loads;
- Assisting with the development and monitoring of individual recovery plans;
- Establishing and maintaining liaison with other appropriate service providers to ensure clients have access to comprehensive health care services;
- Ensure that services meet the needs of individual clients to enable them to reach their optimum potential; and
- Reporting and general administration.
The successful candidate will have personal, lived experience of a mental health problem or disorder coupled with an ability to work with consumers, health workers and community organisations in order to achieve positive client outcomes.
This role will suit an empathetic and positive-minded individual who is willing and able to provide assistance to clients with the tasks of daily living. You will have well developed interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to listen, negotiate and instruct as part of your day-to-day role. A current driver's licence is essential as is proven computer literacy.
Personal Helpers and Mentors (PHaMS) Worker
Reporting to the Team Leader, this role will focus on providing direct support to clients, including assessment of needs, developing and monitoring Individual Recovery Plans, advocacy, peer support and supporting people to manage their daily activities.
Your main responsibilities will include:
- Supporting clients to develop the individual skills they need to increase their independence, and promoting an atmosphere that supports each client's development to the greatest degree of growth;
- Assessing the individual needs and goals of each client and developing, implementing and monitoring a plan with each client to meet these needs;
- Assisting clients in expressing their views and in making suggestions or complaints;
- Encouraging and assisting clients to access and participate in community activities, and to maintain contact with family and friends;
- Referring clients to relevant services, including housing support, employment and education, drug and alcohol rehabilitation, independent living skills courses, clinical sources and other mental health and allied health services as required; and
- Reporting and general administration.
The successful candidate will have previous experience or a genuine interest in working with people with a mental illness. You will either hold, or be willing to obtain, a Certificate IV in Mental Health Work (Non-Clinical), or approved equivalent qualifications.
This role will suit an empathetic and positive-minded individual who is willing and able to provide assistance to clients with the tasks of daily living. You will have well developed interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to listen, negotiate and instruct as part of your day-to-day role. A current NSW driver's licence is essential.
This is a fantastic opportunity to become a hands-on part of a secure government-funded program that makes a real difference in the community. RFNSW is a rapidly growing organisation that supports the professional development of staff, allowing the addition of new skills and industry knowledge.
You will enjoy exciting levels of variety in this role, including service delivery and client contact, and finish each working day knowing you have helped to improve the lives of others.
Join this vibrant organisation that recognises and values its people as demonstrated by:
- Tax-Free Salary Packaging available of up to $16,050 (full and part-time staff only);
- Family-friendly and flexible working conditions;
- Generous leave provisions including paid maternity leave of up to seven weeks;
- A talent management and study assistance program;
- Career development opportunities;
- Access to regular professional management support, peer support and critical incident support services; and
- Comprehensive infrastructure including fleet motor vehicles, mobile phones and other resources for work purposes.
It is essential that applicants possess a current NSW Driver's Licence and have the right to work in Australia.
Successful applicants will be appointed subject to a national criminal record check and checks with referees.