Peer Worker or Mental Health Worker

Flourish Australia has an exciting opportunity for a **Peer Worker or Mental Health Worker** to join our established mental health services in the **Murrumbidgee region** with our growing **Tumut** team

About the position:

- **Casual**:

- **Rotating roster including occasional **weekend shifts**:

- **Attractive hourly rates **equivalent to SCHCADS Level 3** $34.04-$36.50/hour + 25% casual **loading**

**About the Opportunity**:
As a Mental Health Worker or Peer Worker, you will work in the community to support people accessing our services who have a lived experience of mental health issues to achieve their hopes and dreams. You will play an important part in assisting people to maintain wellness and realise their goals. On a day to day basis you will:

- Listen to and create opportunities and activities that meet the interests and goals of people.
- Encourage shared learning experiences, and support skill development at every opportunity through self-directed learning, information and education.
- Ensure that individual support is provided to a person that accesses Flourish Australia services that meet their recovery journey goals and is strengths based and led by the person wherever possible.
- Be ‘hands on’ and involved in direct service delivery.

The difference between the two roles is a **Peer Worker** is required to use their **lived experience of a mental health issue and personal recovery** openly, appropriately and effectively to build professional relationships with the people they support that also experience a mental health issue.

**Peer Workers** will also use their lived experience to inform and contribute to staff learning, service understanding, and delivering person-led, strengths focused, recovery based language, documentation, training and actions. As a Peer Worker, you will also use your lived experience to work as an advocate on an individual basis and systemically (as required).

It is **not** a requirement for **Mental Health Workers** to use their lived experience of a mental health issue in their everyday work.

For more information about what it means to be a **Peer Worker** with Flourish Australia, please review the **Position Description** and the Peer Worker information statement **“What You Should Consider Before Becoming A Peer Worker”.**

For more information on the** Mental Health Worker** role, please read the **Position Description**.**

**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:_
- A relevant degree OR a Relevant Certificate IV or Diploma with 12-months relevant experience OR 2-years full-time experience working in mental health as recognised by Flourish Australia.
- A strong commitment to recovery-based practice in the workplace.
- Understanding of the challenges faced by people with a lived experience of a mental health issue.
- Understanding of, and ability to effectively use, Microsoft Office and knowledge of data information management systems.
- A current Australian Driver’s Licence.

**The Benefits**:
Flourish Australia recognises and values its people as demonstrated by:

- **Level 3** **(SCHCADS)** on the Flourish Australia Enterprise Agreement (2018) +** 25% casual loading**:

- **Opportunities for career progression, professional development** and training such as Mental Health First Aid and ASIST
- Regular **supervision (reflective practice)**, ongoing 1:1 **mentoring**, strong **team support **and a **comprehensive induction **program
- Family-friendly and **flexible working conditions**:

- **Vehicle Mileage Allowance**:

- **Employee Assistance Programs** for confidential wellbeing support
- **Inclusive initiatives** such as our **Rainbow Network and YarnUp** for Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander staff