Care Coordinator

Care Coordinator (12 months fixed term)

SETTING

First Step is specialist centre for integrated care – medical, mental health and substance use – with an inbuilt community legal centre. Operating in St Kilda, we provide services to thousands of Victorians every year to maximise each person's agency, resilience and connection.  First Step provides a uniquely multi-disciplinary team of General Practitioners, Registered Nurses, therapists, lawyers and care coordinators all of whom have decades of experience in addiction, mental health and legal services.

Our model of care is designed to address the systemic barriers faced by people with co-occurring illnesses including mental ill-health and prioritises welcome, empathy and hope. Through the compassionate application of multiple disciplines in a team environment we focus on incremental, whole-of-life improvements that build towards physical and mental health and wellbeing. We work to help people be connected to their families, participating in society, and taking control of their own lives.

THE ROLE

First Step is looking for a practitioner with a very specific set of skills and experience to join our team. Reporting to the Manager of Mental Health Services, the Care Coordinator will provide non-clinical care coordination to clients to help them achieve their goals.  The Care Coordinator will be responsible for ensuring that clients' psychosocial needs are being addressed by liaising with internal and external services and making appropriate referrals and advocating for optimal outcomes. The Care Coordinator will work across the Mental Health and the ResetLife teams as well as collaborating with the broader team at First Step to provide best practice integrated care.

KEY SELECTION CRITERIA

The following minimum competencies are considered necessary:

Qualifications & Experience:

·       Tertiary Qualifications (minimum Diploma) in Community Services, Mental Health, AOD, Psychology, Social Work, Nursing or other relevant professional discipline

·       Experience in delivering care coordination/case management (or similar) in a Primary or Community Setting

·       Compliance with all statutory and professional standards

Skills:

·       Experience and expertise in working directly with people with mental health issues, AOD challenges and complex needs

·       Experience in care coordination or case management; including liaising with internal and external services and preparing referrals

·       Work closely within a multi-disciplinary team to contribute to the planning and implementation of support and treatment.

·       Highly organised administrative skills

·       Respect and consideration for the rights and well-being of co-workers by following policies and procedures.

·       Demonstration of a high level of self-management

·       Ability to use initiative and work under minimal supervision.

·       Actively sharing information and ideas with colleagues and support each other to be successful in their relevant positions.

Desirable:

·       In depth knowledge of community services that support consumers with complex needs

·       Working knowledge of the primary mental health care and AOD systems

·       Proficient in the use of medical database systems (for example, Medical Director and Pracsoft)

Key internal relationships:

·       First Step Clinical Lead

·       Mental Health team

·       ResetLife team

·       Reception and administrative staff

·       Clinical team (GPs, Nurses, Psychologists etc.)

Further detail can be found in the position description.

WHAT WE OFFER

Appointment status: fixed term for 4 days per week (contract is 52 weeks with possibility of extension subject to securing further funding).  Candidates wishing to work fewer days (minimum 3 days per week) will be considered.

We offer:

·       A flexible and autonomous working day within normal business hours

·       A pro rata monthly RDO (E.g. 4 days per week allows 10 annual RDOs)

·       Salary paid at Health Professionals & Support Services Award Level % Super

·       Salary packaging up to $15,900

CONTACT US

Please email your application to our Manager of Mental Health Services, Kym Coupe via -  including:

·       Cover letter addressing the key selection criteria

·       CV/resume

Applications that do not address key selection criteria will not be considered.

We will be reviewing applications as they are received, and suitable candidates will be shortlisted immediately – so don't delay Applications will close when a suitable applicant is found.

Note: First Step is an independent not-for-profit organisation that provides a safe and nurturing work environment for people of all backgrounds, genders, religions, sexualities, ethnicities, or any other factor.  Candidates identifying as LGBTQI+ as well as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates are strongly invited to apply. People with a lived experience of mental illness or substance use are invited to address their experience from a strength-based perspective in their applications if they feel comfortable to do so.  Note that there are designated peers at First Step and that many staff members have experience of drug or alcohol use and mental distress.