Aboriginal Peer Worker, Tzsi Safe Haven and Suicide

**Employment Type**: Permanent Full Time
**Location**:Bega
**Position Classification**: Health Education Officer (Grad or Non Grad)
**Remuneration**: Dependent on qualifications
Health Education Officer (Grad): $69,050 - $110,326 per annum
Health Education Officer (Non Grad): $60,373 - $87,304 per annum
**Hours Per Week**: 38
**Requisition ID**: REQ522539
**Applications Close**: 09 October 2024
**Interviews Details**:Interviews will be scheduled within 10 days of closing date

Southern NSW Local Health District covers a large area of the southern half of NSW. Surrounding the ACT on three sides and all the way down to the Victorian border, it extends from the pristine beaches of the NSW South Coast, the farmlands of the Southern Tablelands, across the picturesque Great Dividing Range and the spectacular Snowy Mountains. We have 18 facilities and our hospitals take care of more than 200,000 people. As we are a major local employer, our staff are a part of our local communities. To find out more on what it is like to live and work in Southern NSW LHD click here - We are Southern.

**What we offer**
- Salary Packaging - up to $9k for living expenses + $2.6k meal & entertainment + Novated leasing
- Corporate Health and Fitness program
- 11% Superannuation on top of your gross income
- Annual Leave Loading

**Where you'll be working**
There is an abundance of lifestyle benefits available to you in country NSW and you will be amazed at what you will have access to. It all comes without the queues and crowds of a big city. Bega the rural heartland of the Sapphire Coast a short drive to beautiful sandy beaches and national park wilderness. The perfect climate to the outdoors all year round, including whale watching between June and November. The pretty valley is a beautiful base for exploring gorgeous beaches and tranquil waterways. Situated between Melbourne and Sydney and just 3 hours to Canberra. Imagine Rural

**What you'll be doing**

This position provides support to consumers as a part of the Redirection from Emergency Departments (Safe Haven) and Suicide Prevention Outreach Teams (SPOT).
Aboriginal Peer Worker is an integral part of the service and it is expected that the Aboriginal Peer Worker will work as equal partners with clinicians in providing proactive community support for Aboriginal people with suicidal ideation and or crisis.

The Aboriginal Peer Worker will use your personal lived experience of suicidal crisis for someone experiencing suicidal crisis to provide appropriate responsive care working with other professionals to support and link people with appropriate services.

**Selection Criteria**
- Must be of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent (NB applicant's race is a genuine occupational qualification and is authorised by Section 14 of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1977, NSW) and have established links with their local Aboriginal community.
- Minimum Qualification Certificate IV in Mental Health Peer Work (consumer), including completion of CHCCCS003: Increase the safety of individuals at risk of suicide or willingness to complete it within 18 months of commencing and willingness to complete other essential Towards Zero Suicide training modules as soon as practical.
- Personal lived experience of a suicidal crisis, mental distress and recovery, and ability to meaningfully and purposefully use lived experience to provide peer support to people at risk of suicide.
- Understanding of the suicide prevention sector and ability to utilise appropriate suicide prevention supports such as safety planning, managing risk (including promoting dignity of risk).
- Understanding of the nature of mental health service delivery, including knowledge of State and national policies and directions for mental health services; in particular, the Towards Zero Suicide initiatives. Demonstrated experience using recovery-oriented and trauma-informed principles in providing support to consumers.
- Experience in working collaboratively with individuals and groups including consumers, carers, the multidisciplinary team and other stakeholders. An ability to provide "tailored" assertive support and care to consumers consenting to peer support in the community with experience working in community outreach and/or providing community support in people's home environments and/or drop in centres.
- Evidence of a current unrestricted drivers’ licence and the ability to maintain. Ability and willingness to drive/travel as the role requires. This may involve driving long distances and overnight stays.

**Occupational Assessment, Screening and Vaccination against Specific Diseases**
This is a Category ‘A’ position, please read and understand NSW Health policy directive PD2024_015 All new employees must agree to comply with the requirements outlined in this policy. OASV requirements also include proof of vaccination against influenza and is compulsory for NSW Staff that enter any Residential Aged Care Facility (RACF)