Position Description Position Reports to Mental Health Recovery Worker Program Leader Community Mental Health Team/Program Agreement/Award Classification Level 4 Time fraction Location Community Mental Health Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award 2010 Full time maximum term (1.0 EFT) 76 hours per fornight 30 June 2018 Horsham Organisation Context The purpose of Wimmera UnitingCare is to support and strengthen individuals, families and communities by providing an extensive range of family-focused community services, which are based on: Sensitivity to their needs and empowerment Open, clear and respectful communication Cooperative and trusting relationships Alliances and networks with other agencies We are an agency of the Uniting Church network in Victoria and have offices in Horsham and Ararat. We deliver over 80 services and help more than 8,000 people every year, reaching out from Horsham to Hindmarsh, Northern Grampians to West Wimmera, Yarriambiack and parts of Ararat Rural City and Buloke Shires. We support these communities by working with vulnerable children, youth and families, those living with mental illness or a disability. Wimmera UnitingCare provide housing support and deliver early years and kindergarten services. Purpose To inspire people, enliven communities & confront injustice. Values Imaginative We challenge convention, explore new possibilities and dare to dream for a better future. Respectful We act with honest and integrity, and open our hearts to all people without exception. Compassionate We are nurturing, generous and thoughtful in our words and deeds. Bold We face injustice head on and stand up for what is right and true with confidence and strength. Position summary The Mental Health Recovery Worker will work as part of a Mental Health Team team providing support and advocacy to people with a mental health issue. Last Updated: August 2017 Uncontrolled copy when printed Page 1 of 5
The position will provide an outcome focused time limited form of service delivery. Through individual program planning the position will support clients lifestyle choices and assist clients to access community resources and enhance their everyday living skills. The position will provide information to clients and advocate when necessary to ensure equitable access to community resources. Employees at this level operate under general direction and have sound knowledge gained through experience, training or education. Employees at this level will be required to prioritise, plan and organise their own work and, from time to time, that of other staff and volunteers. Key responsibilities and duties Culture Model a positive culture in all interactions with staff, colleagues, clients, and all external stakeholders. Apply a solution focused approach to problem solving, work collegiately with peers, while at all times upholding the values and mission of the Agency. Service delivery Work equitably with clients with respect for each individual s right to dignity, privacy, independence and respect. Assist clients to identify personal goals and develop an individual program plan outlining strategies to achieve these goals. Develop trusting, positive and professional relationships with program participants and other service providers. Provide information to the clients and advocate when necessary to facilitate access to community services and facilities. Support clients in facilitating their own recovery from mental illness by enabling empowerment and choice and the promotion of personal resilience and social inclusion. Facilitate clients through their selected pathway of recovery. Utilise the Recovery Star model of one to one support with clients. Deliver the Optimal Health Program within both a group and individual format. Conduct community or regional connection development activities that may include group presentations on mental health. Provide support in enhancing clients skills of daily living. Liaise with carers, families and significant others involved in providing care, including specialist and generic agencies. Knowledge and ability to operate within relevant legislation, departmental and agency policies and guidelines. Carry out administrative tasks and maintain files and statistics as directed. Exercise responsibilities using judgement, skills and knowledge where procedures are not clearly defined. Undertake responsibilities and provide services using a Best Interest Framework to ensure the best outcomes for recipients of community mental health support services. Participate in relevant service networks and work in partnership with other agencies and funding bodies to continually improve and develop quality services. Last Updated: August 2017 Uncontrolled copy when printed Page 2 of 5
Actively participate in collaborative community education strategies to enhance community understanding of mental health services Collaborate with team members to ensure best outcomes for recipients of mental health support. Integrate the needs of recipients of mental health services into other services provided by Wimmera UnitingCare. People Cultivate proactive team spirit by supporting regular and systematic meetings and joint planning exercises. Fully participate in the development of agency-wide policies and projects as required. Reporting Enter information on the client record system, ensuring clients have records and care plans that are up to date and meet quality standards, statutory, organisational and funding body requirements. Complete requests for statistical and other information in a timely and accurate manner. Provide assistance for grant applications including basic research or data collection. Continuous quality improvement Apply knowledge in establishing procedures where there are no defined established practices. Identify and adapt best practice benchmarking indicators to the delivery of services. Foster and promote a continuous learning environment that responds to the needs of services. Identify and assist in the solution to any communication and workflow problems observed by suggesting improvements and enhancements to existing systems and processes in accordance with Wimmera UnitingCare procedures. Identify and participate in personal development that ensures the continuing high delivery of services. Actively participate in regular supervision and annual performance plan reviews. Assist with the development and implementation of Wimmera UnitingCare policies and procedures and continue to evaluate to direct high level service delivery. Organisational Responsibilities Model and promote the organisation s values. Contribute to operational planning including long term planning to improve services and outcomes. Support desirable change initiatives aligning to the Agencies corporate direction. Undertake other duties and functions as directed, commensurate with current level of skills and classification. Corporate roles and responsibilities Carry out all responsibilities assigned to staff in relation to the Agency s Quality; Risk Management; Compliance; and OH&S frameworks; policies; and procedures, which includes but is not confined by the following: Manage work practices to ensure reasonable care is taken for own health and safety and the health and safety of others. Comply with all relevant legislation and regulatory requirements, industry codes and standards and Agency policies and procedures. Last Updated: August 2017 Uncontrolled copy when printed Page 3 of 5
Assist with and support internal and external audit processes. Identify, manage and report risks, hazards, incidents or other concerns affecting day to day activities within the Agency, Program or Service area and continually improve work practices. Attend mandatory, core and other safety related training including induction. Key selection criteria Essential Knowledge & Qualifications 1. Minimum qualification of Certificate 4 in Mental Health and Certificate 4 in Alcohol and Other Drugs. 2. Sound discipline knowledge, including the underlying principles of mental health recovery support, gained through experience, education and / or training. 3. Knowledge of the statutory requirements related to community mental health support services. 4. Proven reporting, time management and administrative skills. 5. Demonstrated commitment to professional development. 6. Excellent communication skills and interpersonal skills, demonstrated through examples of working successfully to gain the co-operation of colleagues and clients. 7. Competent computer skills. 8. An understanding of and commitment to the programs of Wimmera UnitingCare Certificates, licences and registrations Current eligible motor vehicle licence to drive in Australia Current National Police Record Check Working with Children Check. Conditions of employment This is a maximum term position dependent on Wimmera Uniting Care receiving the required funding. Positions will be reviewed if the funding situation changes. Performance for this position will be formally reviewed every 12 months. The employee agrees to abide by all health and safety rules and requirements of the employer, and all employer policies as detailed in the agency policies and procedures, which may be amended from time to time. Applicants must not have been discharged from the carers or added to the disability register This appointment is subject to: satisfactory completion of the agency Induction process attendance at the agency group orientation satisfactory completion of a six month probationary period current Police Check current Working with Children Check. satisfactory completion of the twelve month review process for each year of work. Salary packaging is available to all Wimmera UnitingCare employees. Wimmera UnitingCare recruitment and selection procedures reflect our commitment to the safety and protection of children, families and individuals in our programs. Employees are required to familiarise themselves with the attached policies. The employee will work within the ethos of the Uniting Church. Last Updated: August 2017 Uncontrolled copy when printed Page 4 of 5
Reviewed by I have reviewed the above position description and deem it to be correct Signature:... Date: / /. Name and position: Alex Hall, Manager Community Mental Health Employee statement I have read, understand and accept the above position description. Name: Signature:... Date: / /. Last Updated: August 2017 Uncontrolled copy when printed Page 5 of 5