Ndis Mental Health Officer

Flourish Australia has an exciting opportunity for a **NDIS Mental Health Officer** to work within the **Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District**

The position available is:

- Based in **Wollongong, **with travel across the LHD
- **Closed-term full-time (76 hours/fortnight)**:

- Working **Monday to Friday**:

- **$95K + 11**% Super + Salary Packaging**

**About the Opportunity**:
The NDIS Mental Health Officer (NMHO) Program is a statewide program run by Flourish Australia. There are 18 NMHOs, one for every local health district (LHD) and specialty health network (SHN) across NSW. While the NMHOs will be employed by Flourish Australia, they will work closely with mental health services in LHDs and SHNs. The NMHO in Illawarra Shoalhaven will be supervised by the Flourish Australia NMHO Program Manager, but work closely with mental health staff in Illawarra Shoalhaven LHD.

While the roles vary across NSW, with each LHD/SHN having a specific focus, **the overall aim of the NMHOs is to improve the access to and experience of the NDIS for people with psychosocial disability**.

In general, the NDIS Mental Health Officers will:

- Work with LHD or SHN mental health services to identify people who are or are likely to be eligible for the NDIS, and assist them to obtain the appropriate support through the NDIS
- Work across all aspects of the NDIS journey, including access, planning, plan implementation and plan utilisation
- Focus on building the capacity of LHD or SHN mental health service staff around the NDIS.
- Work with the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA), Local Area Coordinators, NDIS Support Coordinators, NDIS Psychosocial Recovery Coaches and other NDIS providers as required to ensure people are connected to the NDIS and the supports they will benefit from.
- For more information on the_**_ NDIS Mental Health Officer_**_ role, please read the general _Position Description_._
- The focus of the position in each LHD and SHN varies. Please read the general position description in conjunction with the _Role Requirements_**_ _**_for the Illawarra Shoalhaven LHD_. Successful NDIS Mental Health Officers with be provided with specific performance measures and key performance indicators for the relevant LHD or SHN._

**Who we are**:
Flourish Australia is one of Australia’s most experienced community mental health organisations. Our purpose is to support people to flourish, believe in their futures, and become contributing members of the community.

Our services are comprehensive and highly personalised because each person’s experience will be different and their needs, as an individual, are unique. Together we set goals, connect individuals with the right people, support services and opportunities to meet their needs.

**Selection Criteria**:
**_ Essential:_**
- To be successful in this role you will have a strong understanding of the NDIS and relevant supports available. You will bring strong organisation skills, and the ability to monitor and streamline the progress of participants through all stages of the NDIS process. _You will also possess the ability to work sensitively with people living with a psychosocial disability, their families and carers._

**_ In addition, you will possess:_**
- Qualifications in human services or relevant field and/or relevant work experience in psychosocial disability.
- Demonstrated experience of working with people with psychosocial disability and supporting them to access and utilise the NDIS.
- Excellent understanding of NDIS and eligibility criteria as it applies to psychosocial disability
- Demonstrated ability to build the capacity of staff, including through mentoring.
- Demonstrated ability to successfully liaise with service providers to assist people with psychosocial disability obtain the supports they need
- Demonstrated ability to work across multiple sites and environments.
- Excellent attention to detail, organisational skills and the ability to work independently, prioritise and meet tight deadlines.
- Highly developed written and verbal communication skills and competence in the use of information technology systems.
- Current unrestricted Australian driver's licence (P2 licence acceptable).
- Vaccination Category A.
- Desirable:_
- A personal lived experience of a mental health issue.
- Demonstrated experience of working with Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander consumers, families and communities.
- Demonstrated experience of working with Culturally and Linguistically Diverse consumers, families and communities.

**_ All successful applicants will be asked to provide evidence they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 (including booster) prior to commencement, inline with Flourish Australia’s Vaccination Policy._**

**The Benefits**:

- **Level 5 (SCHCADS) **on the Flourish Australia Enterprise Agreement (2018)
- **Tax-Free Salary Packaging** available up to $15,900
- Generous leave provisions including **17.5% leave loading + 2 ad