Psychosocial Rehabilitation Support Worker

Job No: 6959

Location: Moorabbin, Melbourne

Closing Date: 25 Jul 2008 AEST

About the Organisation

Mind is one of Australia's largest not-for-profit providers of mental health services. With more than 60 programs across Victoria and South Australia, it provides services to more than 2,000 people each year. Mind also assists people who are experiencing, or at risk of, homelessness to secure safe and stable accommodation. Over the past 30 years Mind has helped thousands of people to live independent, productive and satisfying lives.

Mind provides a comprehensive range of programs including; residential rehabilitation, outreach services, transition to independent living and stable and safe accommodation, respite for carers, volunteer and mentor programs, individual service packages and programs that foster healthy living, creative expression and participation in employment. Mind assists people to reclaim their lives and reconnect to the community by helping people:

• Set and achieve goals
• Manage their mental and physical health
• Develop a clearer sense of personal identity
• Develop trusting and supportive relationships
• Get back to work, school or tertiary studies
• Develop skills to live independently in the community

The journey people take to reclaim their lives when they have a mental illness or are homeless is very personal. Mind's role is to encourage individual solutions that help people take control of their lives, foster self-belief and connect people with the community.

About the Opportunity

Due to continued expansion, Mind has an exciting opportunity for a Part Time Psychosocial Rehabilitation Support Worker to join their team in the Nette Court program in Moorabbin.

The main aim of this role is to work within a team to enhance consumers' quality of life through addressing daily living, interpersonal and independence skills development.

Within this role, you will work directly with consumers in areas that range from the tasks of daily living to offering support in such areas as understanding psychiatric disability, managing emotions, relationships and accessing community resources including education, employment and housing.

Nette Court is a residential psychosocial rehabilitation program for young people aged between 16 - 24 years, who have a diagnosed mental illness and who reside in the DHS southern region. Nette Court has a service provision to young people with substance abuse issues in addition to their mental health issues. The program operates within a recovery framework where staff work together with consumers to support their recovery.

Working within this role, some of your key responsibilities will include:

• Providing community residential services, including assessment and intake procedures, preparation of documentation and using a range of counselling techniques;
• Assisting the consumer to develop and maintain a sustainable and meaningful lifestyle through the key worker relationship;
• Working collaboratively with the consumers to identify, develop and implement an individual program plan to articulate their goals, skills and strengths, and provide consumers with direction and purpose;
• Working with consumers towards establishing their own safe, comfortable and contained physical environment, and taking responsibility for their own general well-being; and
• Working sensitively with consumers in relation to family issues including facilitation of individual family meetings and family support groups.

The ideal candidate will have relevant tertiary qualifications in Psychology, Social Work or another health-related field. Importantly, you will have a demonstrated knowledge of psychiatric disability, and experience working with young adults in the mental health field.

Mind is seeking a flexible and well organised applicant with proven skills and experience relevant to working in community residential services. The fact that you will be working directly with consumers in areas that range from the tasks of daily living to offering support in areas such as understanding psychiatric disability, and managing emotions and relationships means that you will require a high level of interpersonal skills, especially the ability to listen, engage and communicate clearly and empathetically.

All applicants will need to possess a current Victorian driver's licence.

This Part Time position works 56 hours per fortnight, which includes 6 weekday shifts (Wed, Thurs and Friday) per fortnight working 12.30pm - 9pm, and one Saturday shift working 9am - 5.30pm. Please note Mind is committed to providing an excellent work / life balance to all employees.

Mind provides a supportive workplace, as well as ongoing training and development opportunities to maintain your skills and industry knowledge.

This is an extremely rewarding role - perfect for someone who wants to give back to the community and work in one of the largest and most innovative recovery and homeless support services in Australia.

The successful candidate will be rewarded with remuneration circa $43,588 - $45,280 pro rata plus super, commensurate with qualifications and experience.

In addition, Mind offers the following fantastic benefits:

• Ability to salary package (tax free) up to $16,050 of your annual salary;
• 17.5% leave loading;
• Well supported and structured staff development opportunities;
• Access to regular professional supervision and peer support;
• Critical Incident Support services to support staff as a result of crisis situations;
• Career development opportunities;
• Family friendly employment conditions and generous leave provisions;
• Ability to purchase up to an extra four weeks leave to meet family or lifestyle needs; and
• Annual performance appraisals and feedback!

Please note: This campaign will close at 5:00pm on Friday, 25 July 2008.

If you require further information, please contact Colin Boreland - Program Manager, Nette Court - on (03) 9553 5499.