Lived Experience Worker

• Part Time, 0.78 FTE, fixed term position until 31/12/2026

• Excellent benefits including salary packaging

• Fitzroy location

• Friendly and dynamic team

About the Role
As part of the Healthcare for the Homeless (HfH) program, you will provide a high standard of peer level support to consumers of ALERT care coordination services and The Cottage. You will be a positive role model for hope and recovery from psychosocial challenges as you engage with consumers using the Intentional Peer Support Framework. You will:

• Provide consumers of ALERT care coordination services and The Cottage with a supportive and therapeutic environment that promotes independence, opportunity and recovery through an improved sense of connectedness

• Support consumers as experts and leaders of their own care

• Manage a caseload of complex care clients

• Work with consumers to support and sustain existing resources, networks and relationships, and to access opportunities, resources and services to achieve their recovery goals

• Participate in broader peer workforce activities at SVHM

Classifications for this position will range from Lived Experience Worker Level 2, Years 1-4 MP32 - MP35 ($68,874 - $73,065 per annum, pro rata).

Your Contribution

• A lived experience in homelessness, substance use and mental illness

• Understanding of Intentional Peer Support principles in using your lived experience when working with consumers

• Demonstrated experience in working as part of a multidisciplinary team

• Current Victorian Drivers' Licence

• Current Nationally coordinated criminal history check, or willing to obtain

What we Offer

• A focus on wellbeing initiatives, with regular events and programs

• Confidential, solutions-focused employee counselling

• A healthy work/life balance is encouraged

• Ability to join Fitness Passport - Your pass to an extensive choice of fitness facilities

• In the heart of Fitzroy, CBD at our doorstep, close to some of Melbourne's best cafes, public transport and lots of carparks

• Discounts and Promotions always available through our Foundation

• Regular opportunities for professional development to assist you to reach your career goals

• Culture of continuous improvement

About the Healthcare for the Homeless Program (HfH)
HfH comprises several services that support clients that are experiencing or at risk of homelessness. HfH aims to integrate and better coordinate existing services within St Vincent's Hospital and where service gaps are identified, support the development of new services to meet the needs of our clients.

Working at St Vincent's
St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne (SVHM) is a leading teaching, research and tertiary health service. SVHM provides a diverse range of adult clinical services and is driven by values of Compassion, Justice, Integrity and Excellence.

Application
Please attach your resume and cover letter to your application.

Shortlisting for this position will commence immediately. We encourage you to apply promptly as the advertisement may close early should a suitable applicant be sourced.
We encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and abilities. Inclusion is essential to our mission and diversity reflects the community we serve.
Please visit our website, for further information regarding our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Employment at SVHM.
SVHA has a duty of care under work health and safety legislation to eliminate and/or control the risk of transmission of vaccine preventable diseases in healthcare settings. You may therefore be required to undergo mandatory immunisations/vaccinations (including flu vaccinations).
Successful applicants must meet our vaccination requirements. Please contact us if you would like to know more.

Position Description
 

1.LOCAL WORK ENVIRONMENT

This position is part of the Health Care for the Homeless Program (HfH). This program has a range of services within St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne that currently support clients who are experiencing vulnerabilities around their health and social needs. This service aims to build on integrating and better coordinating existing services within St Vincent's Hospital and the development of new services to meet the need of the target client group.

This position supports patients with complex psychosocial needs in ALERT and The Cottage. Key target groups for ALERT and The Cottage include patients with complex needs who have one or more of the following key risk factors: homelessness, substance use, mental health issues, disability, complex aged care issues, and family violence.

The Cottage provides a home like environment where Hospital In The Home (HITH) services are provided to people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, providing an alternative to staying in hospital. The Cottage has five bedrooms, one shared, a staff kitchen, patient activity/lounge areas, a clinical treatment room, general office space with provision for sleepover shifts for a Health Care Worker and a patient garden area.

This position is based at St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne within ALERT and The Cottage, and also provides support and interventions in the community as part of an interdisciplinary team.  This position may include weekend and after hours work.

2. POSITION PURPOSE

Under the guidance of the ALERT Manager, ALERT clinical coordinators, Cottage Team Leader and Senior Clinicians, provide a high standard of support to consumers of the Cottage and ALERT Care Coordination services. This may include the emergency department, The Cottage and community settings. The Lived Experience Worker will offer an optimistic viewpoint to consumers and provide a role model for hope and recovery. Role responsibilities will encompass engagement with elements of the Intentional Peer Support framework, and will be a positive role model for program participants and their families in order to overcome stigma and encourage personal growth and community development.
 

3.POSITION DUTIES

• Provide consumers of the Cottage and ALERT Care Coordination services a supportive and therapeutic environment that promotes independence, opportunity and recovery in the ED and community, through an improved sense of connectedness

• Support consumers as experts and leaders of their own care

• Manages a case load of Complex Care clients

• Actively uphold the culture of hope by using optimistic language supporting people and celebrating people's recovery efforts

• Working with consumers to support and sustain existing resources, assets, networks and relationships, and to access opportunities, resources and services to achieve their recovery goals

• Provide information and referral to other appropriate community support programs and services as required.

• Assist in creating relationships and liaison with relevant stakeholders

• Participate in the evaluation of the peer support model in the Cottage/ALERT through data collection and other activities

• Participate in broader peer workforce activities at SVMH by attending regular peer meetings, contributing to the further development of the peer framework and development of peer workforce training and education

• Ensure maintenance of documentation accountability requirement including medical records.

• Responsibilities for portfolios as negotiated with Manager

4.INCUMBENT OBLIGATIONS

General

• Perform duties of the position to best of their ability and to a standard acceptable to SVHM

• Comply with all SVHM policies, procedures, by laws and directions

• Treat others with respect and always behave professionally and in accordance with the SVHM Code of Conduct

• Only access confidential information held by SVHM when this is necessary for business purposes, maintaining the confidentiality of that information once accessed

• Participate in the annual SVHM performance review process

• Display adaptability and flexibility to meet the changing operational needs of the business

• Comply with applicable Enterprise Bargaining Agreement provisions

• Display a willingness to develop self and seek to improve performance

Clinical Quality and Safety

• Experience in the delivery of acute, sub-acute and community health care to marginalised clients including those experiencing homelessness, mental health and/or substance use issues.

• Demonstrated capacity to engage with clients with complex psychosocial and health needs, including through an outreach based model of care.

• Skills and leadership experience commensurate with a senior clinical role. 

• Experience with supervision of staff in discipline and care coordination skills

• Demonstrated ability to work in a multidisciplinary team

• Superior written and verbal communication skills

• Knowledge of and commitment to continuous quality improvement

• Attend clinical orientation upon commencement

• Maintain clinical registration and any required indemnity cover

• Always work within approved scope of practice under supervision by more senior clinical staff as appropriate.

• Take personal responsibility for the quality and safety of work undertaken

• Take all necessary care and precautions when undertaking clinical procedures

• Complete annual clinical competencies

• Maintain skills and knowledge necessary to safely and skilfully undertake clinical work

• Consult with peers and other experts and refer to other healthcare workers when appropriate and in a timely manner

• Collaborate and clearly communicate with patients/clients and the healthcare team

• Participate in clinical risk management and continuous quality improvement activities as part of day-to-day work

Person Centred Care

• Ensure consumers receive information in an appropriate and accessible format

• Actively support consumers to make informed decisions about their treatment and ongoing care

• Ensure consumers are aware of their rights responsibilities and how to provide feedback

Health and Safety

• Protect the health and safety of self and others, complying with all health and safety related policies, procedures and directions

• Complete required Fire and Emergency Training annually

• Complete required Workplace Culture and Equity Training annually

• Attend general hospital orientation within 3 months of commencement

5.SELECTION CRITERIA

• Understanding of Intentional Peer Support principles in using lived experience when working with consumers
• Demonstrated experience in working as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Commitment to working collaboratively and effectively with multiple key stakeholders both internal and external to St. Vincent's Hospital (including consumers, carers, family members and community agencies).
• Provide culturally competent services appropriate to the needs of people from diverse backgrounds including those from a CALD background.
• Highly developed interpersonal and communication skills, including problem solving ability and conflict resolution skills, as well as sound oral and writing skills. 

5.1 ESSENTIAL REGISTRATION, LICENSE OR QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

• Current Victorian Driver's License
• A lived experience of across homelessness, substance use, and mental illness.

At St Vincent's we acknowledge the importance of creating a work environment that is welcoming, safe, equitable and inclusive for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Employees. As part of our Commitment to Reconciliation and Closing the Gap in employment related outcomes, we encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.

For further information, visit or get in contact at

View Reconciliation Action Plan

View Code of Conduct