Maitland Mental Health Unit - Peer Worker

Remuneration:

About us:

The Maitland Mental Health Inpatient Unit (MHIPU) is located at the New Maitland Hospital at Metford. The unit is a modern and contemporary space where inpatient care is provided for patients who are receiving either voluntary or involuntary care for acute mental health conditions.

The New Maitland Hospital is a lovely new building, with amazing architectural design points and artworks that represent the local area.

The team at the Maitland MHIPU consists of nursing, allied health and medical health professionals. Our team is built by senior clinicians who hold a wealth of experience and knowledge. For the junior practitioner, joining our team is an exciting prospect as there are fantastic mentoring and learning opportunities.

Our management team is led by an experienced Nurse Manager who holds a keen interest in nursing workforce education and development, specifically in the very exciting field of mental health nursing!

We are part of the Hunter New England Local Health District Mental Health Service which is known for its contemporary practice and strong focus on quality improvement.

About the role:

Peer workers use their own lived experience of mental health challenges and recovery to support consumers by providing individual non-clinical support, advocacy, education and group work aimed at facilitating recovery principles of hope, choice, self-determination and social connectedness. Peer workers are an important part of the team; working collaboratively with consumers, families, carers, significant others, and clinicians.

Peer workers support people holistically and consider people’s cultural, spiritual, social and emotional wellbeing. They work to minimise power imbalances and promote a more mutual relationship between staff and consumers. Peer workers encourage care and treatment that places consumers - their preferences, wishes, needs and aspirations - at the heart of all HNEMHS work.

About you:

Having lived experience is one essential prerequisite. However, everyone may not be suited to do lived experience work.

Peer workers are required to have other skills, including:

• Excellent social skills
• Good communication skills
• Resilience, ability to self-reflect and manage your own emotions

It is highly desirable that you have completed or will complete a Certificate IV in Mental Health Peer Work even if you have other relevant qualifications (such as Certificate IV in Mental Health, etc.).

Peer work is not a clinical profession. You might have clinical/health qualifications or intend to study these in the future. However, as a peer worker, you do not use clinical skills. You may experience some grief and loss of your previous clinical health professional identity if you work as a peer worker.

Regular supervision with a lived experience professional and ongoing support and training is crucial to manage this. It is essential to keep within the peer work scope of practice.

What we can offer you:

At Hunter New England Health enjoy a career where you're challenged by interesting work and surrounded by spectacular locations. Join the team enriching health in millions of ways every day:

• You will receive strong support from the local Maitland MHIPU team and benefit from our extensive peer work network, ensuring comprehensive guidance and collaboration throughout your journey.
• Sustainable Healthcare: Together towards zero
• Proximity to shopping and other services
• 4 weeks annual leave (pro-rata for part time employees)
• Paid parental leave (for eligible employees) - giving you the opportunity for true Worklife balance
• Salary packaging options - up to $11,600 plus novated leasing
• Fitness Passport for health and well-being - discounted gym options for you and your family
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for staff and family members
• Opportunity to work and collaborate with a range of non-clinical and clinical professionals