St Vincent s Hospital Sydney Limited ABN 77 054 038 872 390 Victoria Street Darlinghurst NSW 2010 Telephone 02 8382 1111 Facsimile 02 9332 4142 www.stvincents.com.au Mental Health Peer Worker ST VINCENT S HOSPITAL SYDNEY POSITION DESCRIPTION POSITION TITLE: DEPARTMENT: AGREEMENT: CLASSIFICATION: Mental Health Peer Worker St Vincent s Community Mental Health Service The Named NSW (Non-Declared) Affiliated Health Organisations' Professional & Associated Staff Agreement 2009 Health Education Officer Graduate CAPABILITY LEVEL: Level 2 REPORTS TO: STATUS: HOURS: DIRECT REPORTS: RELATIONSHIPS (INTERNAL): RELATIONSHIPS (EXTERNAL): RESPONSIBILTY: LOCATION: Community Mental Health Service Manager Permanent Part Time 24 hrs week Nil Community Mental Health Unit Manager and clinical staff Inpatient Mental Health Service Peer Worker Non-Government Organisation Partners Engaging and supporting mental health consumers within the community mental health service. Promoting the understanding of consumer perspective to the wider workforce. Sydney (Darlinghurst) or as determined by the Employer POSITION PURPOSE The role of a Mental Health Peer Worker has been developed for people who have lived experience of mental health services and personal recovery. The international evidence demonstrates that embedding a peer support workforce within a mental health service has a number of benefits including: Engenders hope, gives consumers a reality to which they can aspire Enables experimentation with different recovery strategies UNDER THE STEWARDSHIP OF MARY AIKENHEAD MINISTRIES St Vincent s Health Network Sydney St Vincent s Hospital Sydney Sacred Heart Health Service St Joseph s Hospital
Provides a role model of recovery Increases community integration and reduces isolation Reduces hospital admission rates and delays admissions Assists with the successful transition to Community Assists those at risk of readmission to stay well Helps counter fears of loneliness, rejection, discrimination, rejection and frustration Challenges stigma, including self-stigma Influences change in service culture Enhances the recovery focus of the service Mental Health Peer Workers use their personal journey to support consumers by providing individual consultations, education and group interventions aimed at facilitating recovery principles of hope, choice, self-determination and social connectedness. The Mental Health Peer Worker works alongside clinicians and is an integral part of the clinical team, contributing to care-planning and liaising with internal and external stakeholders to ensure the best outcome for the consumer. ST VINCENT S HEALTH AUSTRALIA: IDENTITY Our organisational values are relevant to all positions. All employees are required to consistently demonstrate behaviours that support the Mission, Vision and Values of St Vincent s Health Australia and promote an ethical environment in accordance with the St Vincent s Health Australia Code of Conduct. OUR MISSION As a Catholic health and aged care service provider, our mission is to bring God s love to those in need through the healing ministry of Jesus. We are especially committed to people who are poor and vulnerable. We draw on the talents of our people and collaborate with others who share our vision and values to continue the pioneering spirit of Mary Aikenhead and the Sisters of Charity. We are committed to providing compassionate and innovative care, enabling hope for those we serve. OUR VISION To lead transformation in health care inspired by the healing ministry of Jesus. OUR VALUES Our values, based on the Gospels, reflect the healing ministry of Jesus, and act as a point of reference for our decision making which is fundamental to our catholic identity. Our values provide direction as to the type of organisation we aspire to be and the kind of behaviours we regard as appropriate to help achieve our aspirations. Our values underpin all that we do and are demonstrated through our everyday actions, giving our mission and vision life. Compassion: Caring for others with an openness that affirms life and healing Justice: Acting with courage and fairness in pursuit of what is right and just Integrity: Ensuring our actions and decisions are grounded in our values, reflecting both honesty and authenticity Excellence: Demonstrating a passionate commitment to continuous improvement and innovation Page 2
OUR CARE Our Care is: Provided in an environment underpinned by our mission and values Holistic and centred on the needs of each patient and resident High quality, safe, and continuously improved to ensure best practice Innovative and informed by current research using contemporary techniques and technology Delivered by a team of dedicated, appropriately qualified people who are supported in a continuing development of their skills and knowledge Committed to a respect for life in accordance with the Gospels MISSION AND CATHOLIC IDENTITY Promote the mission, vision and values of St Vincent s Health Australia, the St Vincent s Health Australia Code of Conduct, and ensure these principles are effectively integrated in all areas of responsibility Actively contribute to the development of a positive organisational culture, aligned to the mission and values of St Vincent s Health Australia. Participate in in formation programs to ensure a clear understanding of the ministry and how the changing needs and environment of the Healthcare sector may impact on the delivery of the St Vincent s Health Australia Mission. POSITION DUTIES To act as a positive role model for consumers by using personal experience of recovery to share information, skills and strategies that support and promote the individuals recovery journey. Participate in allocation and care review processes, accept referrals (including selfreferrals) as appropriate. Assist people with personal crisis and care planning to help gain a sense of control over their lives by building on their strengths and resources in collaboration with the treating team. Understand and act on issues of risk highlighted during referral, individual peer meetings or in group peer support work, actively promoting consumer safety and reporting to the appropriate clinician/team. In collaboration with clinician/s, plan and implement effective individual and group peer interventions, including supportive counselling, using specific recovery experience to share experiential knowledge, skills and strategies for living with mental illness, provision of information, and acting as a support person in the health system. Ensure knowledge of recovery, peer work, and mental health legislation is kept up to date through continuing education, training and professional development, including meeting all mandatory requirements such as performance development and appraisal. At the request of the consumer, attend specific clinical activities as a support person; including but not limited to Magistrates hearings, Mental Health Review Tribunals, Protective Estate Order hearings, Medical reviews, meetings with the clinical team, Court hearings or Housing NSW appointments. Provide in-service education/training to mental health staff on topics such as recovery and the peer support worker role. Undertake other duties which may be reasonably requested by the Line Manager and /or Mental Health Executive. Promote and develop a safe environment for consumers, staff and the public, supported by and in compliance with SVHN policies and procedures. Drive, lead and model behaviours to staff and patients that reflect ST Vincent s code of Conduct Managing Up: Positioning co-workers in a positive light to promote trust and confidence Ensure the quality of service and participate in quality improvement activities, health promotion activities and research to promote best possible outcomes for Page 3
consumers, family members and/or carers. Participate in the orientation of new staff members. Assist and participate in training and supervision of students from tertiary institutions. Participate in mentorship and supervision. Maintain confidentiality and high standards of conduct in line with code of conduct and privacy policies. COMPLIANCE Ensure compliance across all relevant standards of accreditation and legislative requirements within areas of responsibility or as delegated by the CEO, St Vincent s Health Network Sydney. Ensure facilities operate at all times in compliance with the Catholic Health Australia Code of Ethical Standards for Catholic Health and Aged Care Services in Australia and relevant legislation. Ensure compliance with relevant legislation, standards and industrial instruments. Operate within the delegated responsibilities and authorities as set by St Vincent s Health Australia Ensure relevant personal qualification, registrations and memberships are maintained at the required level. Ensure that employees are compliant with mandatory training requirements. Current immunity status that complies with the Assessment, Screening& Vaccination against Specified Infectious Diseases - Policy Directive Immunisation history complies with NSW Health Policy Directive PD2011_005 INCUMBENT CAPABILITY REQUIREMENTS The incumbent shall possess and demonstrate the following core capabilities: CAPABILITY DEMONSTRATED BEHAVIOUR PERSONAL Personal Effectiveness Plans & Organises Takes responsibility for accurate, timely work results Learning Agility Adaptability Identifies personal development needs and seeks information from a range of sources OUTCOMES Patient/ Resident Centred Patient Focused Strives to meet and exceed expectations, demonstrating sound judgement Innovation and Improvement Identifies Issues Contributes to improvement by reviewing strengths and weaknesses of current processes STRATEGY Driving Results Delivers Results Manages own work load to deliver results Organisational Acumen Understands Interdependencies Understands the interdependencies between departments PEOPLE Working With and Managing Others Monitors Others Takes responsibility for ensuring productive, efficient teamwork Collaboration Collaborates Works collaboratively within and outside the team SELECTION CRITERIA Personal integrity and demonstrated commitment to the Philosophy, Mission and Values of Mary Aikenhead Ministries and St Vincent s Health Australia. Solid secondary level education qualifications or able to demonstrate levels of numeracy and literacy skills. Completion of the Certificate IV in Mental Health Peer Work or willingness to complete same Lived experience of secondary mental health services and able to reflect on personal experience of recovery. Good written, verbal and non-verbal communication skills e.g. ability to communicate their personal experience of recovery Page 4
Understanding of the issues and concerns of mental health service users and able to maintain, professional boundaries Experience supporting people with a mental illness within a personal recovery context Experience of working in a team environment and understanding the dynamics of same EMPLOYEE DECLARATION I have read this position description, I understand the position requirements and position demands checklist and agree that I can fulfil these requirements to the standards outlined. I am not aware of any reason, which might interfere with my ability to perform the inherent position requirements and position demands of this position Employee Name Employee Signature Date Manager s Name Department Date Page 5