Mentor Worker

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Are you a kind, compassionate, considerate, open minded, empathetic person? Do you enjoy being active and making a difference in people09s life19s? All while you build a career in mental health. Then being a Bright Light Mentor worker could be for you

We are currently recruiting for 4 staff members who have a strong understanding of Indigenous culture and beliefs, a strong understanding of mental health and trauma-related behaviours, has lots of compassion, inspiration, and reliability.

Have a read of the Bright Light Mentoring website and the job description below. If being a Mentor worker sounds like something you would enjoy, apply now

Job Title: Mentor Worker

Location: Wollongong, Shellharbour and surrounding areas.

Type Of Employment: Casual

Pay: From $36.00 per hour

The NDIS Workforce Capability Framework describes this role as a General Support Worker for services funded under the NDIS. Persons working within this role are responsible for using the strategies determined in the participant's support plan. All practices are participant-focused and promote their choices, rights and decisions. Due to the variable nature of participants, this role requires the worker to promote participants' voices, choices and report any areas of concern. The participant is at the centre of all practices. Workers are required to follow all policies and procedures and report to management.

Key reporting items include feedback from participants (positive, constructive and complaints), changes in participant circumstances or environment, work health and safety issues and concerns, need for resources to undertake the role, and if you think that the participant is experiencing discrimination, exploitation, neglect, abuse or violence. When unsure of appropriate practices or actions, or when in situations of stress or anxiety, respond accordingly.

Provision of care and supports to participants as detailed in their support plans.

General

• Always check your understanding of the participant's required tasks before commencing your work.
• Implement personal hygiene and infection control procedures.
• Be alert if you notice the participant is distressed or apathetic (uninterested or listless).
• Adjust your tasks to meet participant's needs, preferences and priorities.
• Record all work as per the organisation's requirements.

Work Practices

Duties will vary according to the participant's support plan but may include:

• Assisting people to perform important daily activities
• Facilitating daily personal hygiene
• Assisting home-based tasks such as food preparation and housework
• Assisting to undertake tasks outside the home, such as shopping, medical appointments, and more
• Ensuring varied programs of social activities
• Providing emotional support and friendship

Communicate

• Clearly, inclusively and respectfully
• Adapt to participant's age, culture and cognitive ability
• Understand individual communication – verbal and non-verbal
• Use the best communication method to recognise the difference between self and participant
• Be persistent and patient

Build trusted relationships

• Build relationships based on mutual respect
• Determine what makes the participant feel safe and valued
• Work with both participant and their important people to understand how they are involved
• Communicate directly with the participant unless otherwise determined
• Prioritise participant's voice during any conflict
• Treat equally but recognise the imbalance in the relationship
• Recognise and report any threat in circumstances and environment

Rights

• Understand participant and worker rights
• Support participant to express views, raise concerns, report complaints and incidents

Work Collaboratively

• Support all supporting stakeholders
• Work within role and responsibility
• Recognise the participant's skills, experience and contribution to everyone in the team
• Keep participants informed when sharing and discussing them
• Focus on strengths
• Be optimistic, kind, hopeful and patient

Observe and respond

• Review all relevant notes and support plan information
• Identify needs and strategies
• Clarify your understanding
• Be observant, attentive and present
• Act responsively and flexibly
• Celebrate reaching goals and independence
• Maximise participant's control and confidence

Health and Safety

• Talk to participant/supervisor about any intermittent conditions to determine strategies when confronted with the situation
• Support access to preventative and responsive health, dental etc
• Respond quickly if the participant is uncomfortable, distressed, apathetic or in poor health
• Identify potential and actual risks, then act promptly and in consultation with the participant
• Escalate to your supervisor any situation when the participant is at risk
• Identify and report any work health and safety issues
• Promote independence and choice
• Never use restrictive practice unless approved and trained in the practice

• Current NDIS Worker Screening check
• First Aid Certificate
• Drivers License
• Reliable and insured vehicle
• New Worker NDIS Induction Module
• Smartphone
• A formal certificate may not be required if the individual has relevant experience and skills – recommended qualifications Certificate III in Individual Support, Mental Health, Aged Care, Community Services, Disability Work or similar.

• Preferred minimum 1 year relevant experience
• Experience supporting people with mental health
• Demonstrated continuing professional development
• Knowledge of continuous quality improvement principles
• Use of equipment related to personal and work safety
• Promoted participant's choice and independence

• Verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to work with various ages, cultures and ability levels
• Ability to build rapport and trust with clients
• Strong time management and ability to prioritise
• Ability to use Microsoft Office suite of programs and other computer systems for record-keeping
• Excellent problem solving and conflict management skills
• Ability to work as part of a team and maintain good working relationships

Job Type: Casual

Benefits:

• Travel reimbursement

• Application Question(s): Why you would be a good Mentor Worker for Bright Light Mentoring Service?

Education
High School (Year 12) (Preferred)

Experience
Mental health: 1 year (Required)

Licence/Certification
Drivers License and car (Required)

Work Authorisation
Australia (Required)

Work Location: In person