Position Description Position Title Position Number Consumer Consultant PTBA (ichris) Position Status Part time, 0.6 0.8 EFT, until 30 September 2017 Program Area Award/Agreement/ Classification Reports To Contact Community Mental Health Community Health Centre (Stand Alone Services) Social and Community Service Employees Multi Enterprise Agreement 2013 2015, Social Worker, Class1 Year 7 Senior Consumer Consultant P0934 Angela Micheletto Contact Phone Number 9411 4333 cohealth is one of Australia s largest community health organisations delivering a range of health and support services across Melbourne s CBD, northern and western suburbs. cohealth s mission is to strengthen community and make a difference to the lives and wellbeing of people, particularly of those who experience stigma and the risk of marginalisation. We create impact through a powerful combination of advocacy, innovation in service delivery, and partnership with consumers, communities and other stakeholders. With over 30 sites cohealth provides a range of vital local health and support services including medical, dental, allied health, mental health, and counselling, and many specialist health services. More information about cohealth is available on our website www.cohealth.org.au. Staffenjoy being part of a supportive environment with strong leadership and a collegiate and communicative approach. A not for profit organisation built on strong values, cohealth s commitment to all staff and volunteers is to ensure a positive and supportive work environment. cohealth is an equal opportunity employer that offers generous salary packaging and opportunity to undertake professional training and development opportunities. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and those who speak languages other than English are encouraged to apply.
Site/Program Profile The Community Mental Health, AOD and Homelessness Directorate provides a range of individual and group, site based and assertive outreach services and programs across Northern and Western Melbourne. Delivering the next generation of community mental health care excellence, cohealth Community Mental Health service comprises highly experienced teams who work with clients who have the most difficulty in accessing services. Our focus on the most disadvantaged, underpinned by our understanding of the social determinants of health, informs our efforts to enable service delivery to the people who need it most. Our programs are delivered within a framework of strengths-based, recovery-oriented practice, consumer, carer and community participation and codesign and a whole of health approach to care. We achieve consistent, high quality recovery-oriented services using the Collaborative Recovery Model (CRM) and ensure competency in trauma informed care and family centred practice, delivered in a client directed purchasing environment. The Practice, Research, Consumer and Carer Leadership Program will focus on the growth and development of knowledge, skill and application of best practice to ensure cohealth Community Mental Health programs are innovative in response to the challenges of providing effective, coordinated support services to individuals with severe mental illness and multiple needs, including their families and carers and informed particularly by people with a lived experience of mental illness. Position summary The Consumer Consultant will enable clients of the service to provide greater input to service codesign through planning, development, evaluation, training and delivery. Responsible for providing consumers with the opportunity for participation in service codesign, the Consumer Consultant will inform consumers of the Consumer Consultant role and promote involvement and participation opportunities. The Consumer Consultant will work closely with members of the Practice, Research and Consumer Leadership Program to implement a comprehensive codesign plan that creates pathways for greater involvement of consumers and families across cohealth community mental health programs. Position Responsibilities Work with the Practice and Research Leaders, the Consumer Consultants and Carer Consultant to develop and implement a comprehensive codesign plan. Encourage a culture of understanding and respect for the experience and knowledge of clients. Contribute to the development and implementation of systems for collecting and disseminating information about consumer s experiences with community mental health services for purpose of greater consumer input into service planning, development, evaluation and training
Provide information about rights, complaints procedures and advocacy services where appropriate. Conduct site visits and facilitate consumer focus groups and forums for purpose of greater consumer input into service planning, development, evaluation and training. Contribute to the development of a team approach that values and implements consumer participation in an integrated manner i.e. consumer participation is shared responsibility of all staff. Lead and participate in the development of initiatives to improve client involvement in service codesign. Contribute to service provision that is sensitive to the culturally and linguistically diverse background of clients. Contribute to service provision that is based on the principles of family centred and inclusive practice, trauma informed practice and approach and the collaborative recovery model through codesign and engagement with consumers and community. Encourage a culture of consultation and linkages with families, significant others, case managers, GPs and other community treatment providers. Actively contribute to team meetings (including Peer Worker meetings), and act as a resource on issues relating to consumer participation. Attend relevant sector meetings with peak bodies (e.g. VMIAC) and training pertaining to enhancing consumer engagement and participation. Participate in community mental health promotion activities such as Mental Health Week. Position Requirements (qualifications, skills, knowledge and attributes) Attributes - Professionalism, integrity, attention to detail, outcome orientated, respectful. Skills Excellent communication (written and verbal), interpersonal and presentation skills. Exceptional management, leadership, team building and organisational skills. Desirable analytical thinking and problem solving and ability to innovate and implement organisational change. Knowledge Understanding of workforce growth, development and learning, community engagement and codesign and client directed service delivery models of care. Key Selection criteria Relevant tertiary qualifications or equivalent experience. Lived experience of mental illness and recovery. Knowledge of, and commitment to, client, carer and community participation and codesign. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with individuals, service providers and groups. Ability to liaise and work collaboratively with a range of internal and external services. Understanding of the principles of recovery, family centred and inclusive practice, trauma informed practice and approach and the collaborative recovery model. Demonstrate initiative and self-direction. Ability to work effectively both in a team and autonomously.
Experience in and demonstrated ability to facilitate groups, meetings and consultations. Additional Information 1. cohealth is an equal opportunity employer. 2. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and those who speak languages other than English are encouraged to apply. 3. This position is based at Footscray but may be required to work across sites from time to time or to change sites. 4. Employment is subject to the satisfactory completion of a Police Record Check. 5. In the context of occupational health and safety all employees are required to carry out their duties in a manner that does not adversely affect their own health and safety and that of others by reporting all incidents and injuries as well as cooperating with any measures introduced in the workplace to improve OH&S. 6. Salary packaging is available to all fixed and permanent staff. 7. A current driver s license if required for the position. Relationship to Performance Development and Review Plan This position description operates in conjunction with and forms part of the relevant individual Performance Development Review Plan. An initial performance review will take place six months following commencement of employment and then on an annual basis. Our Principles Our work is informed by human rights based principles which include: Participation: We work to improve access to our services by creating opportunities for active and meaningful participation. Accountability: We have strong systems that are open and transparent and we actively encourage and respond to feedback. Non-discrimination and attention to vulnerable groups: We work with the most disadvantaged people to improve their health and wellbeing. Empowerment: We work alongside a strong and well-connected community that is supported to have a voice. Linking practice to human rights standards: Our work promotes and protects the rights of staff, consumers and the wider community. We require all employees to perform in a way that is in line with these principles.
Document Review Details Date Reviewed: Date to be reviewed: I have read, understood and accept the above position description Name Signature Date Executive Director Name Sally Mitchell Executive Director Signature Date: