Indigenous Worker – Mental Health (Personal Helpers and Mentors Program)

Are you passionate about addressing issues that influence the social and emotional wellbeing of Indigenous Australians with mental illness? Do you have experience working with Indigenous communities in a cooperative and collaborative manner? If you are inspired and committed to working in a dynamic and changing not-for-profit organisation, then this opportunity may be the perfect fit for you!

Organisation

Founded in 1912, Open Minds has evolved from an organisation providing arts scholarships and support to returned serviceman into a leading not-for-profit provider of community based psychosocial support services for people with a mental illness, disability and acquired brain injury (ABI).

Position

Open Minds Personal Helpers and Mentors (PHaMs) Program in Bayside is looking to provide increased supports to Indigenous Australians who experience mental health, social and emotional wellbeing issues on Stradbroke Island and connected communities.

As a PHaMs Indigenous Worker you will provide outreach support to Indigenous people and assist with improving the coordination of the services they receive and increase their community access and participation.

You will use your own experience, learnings and knowledge of Indigenous people and communities to provide PHaMs support that is effective and engaging to individuals.

In addition, you will promote the PHaMs program throughout the Indigenous and Non-Indigenous Communities and ensure services are delivered to clients in a culturally appropriate and supportive manner.

The role involves working alongside individuals to identify their needs and develop Individual Recovery Plans. This includes:

* Ensuring collaborative service delivery with other professionals involved with the participant including government, relevant services and professionals, training providers, health professionals
* Assisting participants to maximise their options and potential by facilitating their linkage in recreational activities, education, employment and training opportunities and demonstrating a client centred approach to service delivery
* Providing support and information to carers and family members where appropriate
* Monitoring and evaluate services and respond to changing needs of program participants
* Working in accordance with the National Mental Health Standards

The role is offered on a full time basis and will be based across Open Minds Bayside office and Stradbroke Island office.

Essential Requirements

To be considered for this newly created role you will need to satisfy the following criteria, through a combination of knowledge, skills or experience:

* Proven experience in engaging and delivering positive outcomes for individuals, particularly Indigenous people, who have high and complex needs
* A proven ability to work autonomously and to liaise with people from a diverse range of backgrounds, including Indigenous people, families, communities and Indigenous community organisations/service providers to develop innovative and effective initiatives
* An intricate understanding of the underlying factors, impact and effects of mental illness, particularly on Indigenous communities, as well as a working knowledge of duty of care, is essential
* The capacity to build trust and rapport with program participants to identify their strengths, encourage them to be active in living well while supporting them in culturally respectful ways
* Ability to successfully operate within a case management model
* Knowledge of the recovery orientated systems for mental health
* Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively in a team environment and display highly developed interpersonal, communication, negotiation and conflict resolution skills

Formal qualifications in Human Services or relevant discipline preferred, however those with Diploma or Certificate level qualifications or who have extensive experience will be held in high regard.

To view the PD, remuneration and organisation detail visit: http://www.openminds.org.au.

Applications can be sent to applications@openminds.org.au and must include a resume, cover letter and a statement addressing the selection criteria within the Position Description. Applications submitted without a statement addressing the selection criteria will not be considered.

If you have any queries, please call our HR Department on (07) 3896 4224 for a confidential discussion.

Human Resources: applications@openminds.org.au