Do you work for Eastern Health currently? If so, please log in to Eastern Health Careers Employee Login using your network login details to see the full range of jobs available to you

Senior Consumer Peer Worker

Permanent Part Time (7 days per fortnight) - occasional extended hours may be required
Ringwood East | Close to public transport and shops
Join a well-established Lived Experience team | Monthly team building

Eastern Health

Eastern Health is one of Melbourne’s largest public health services. We provide a range of emergency, surgical, medical and general healthcare services and have a proud history of serving a diverse community.

Our Employee Value Proposition is “Being a part of Eastern Health means belonging to a welcoming team of healthcare experts”.

This statement aligns with our promise to our communities, patients, consumers and staff that we will be HEALTHIER TOGETHER. Bolder than a vision for the future, our promise calls us to action. We know that working together is the only way we can achieve what is necessary for a healthier future.

About the role

Are you passionate about and experienced in public mental health peer work with people who might be experiencing psychological distress?

Eastern Health, Mental Health and Wellbeing Program has developed a Brief Intervention Team (BIT) which incorporates a suicide prevention stream (Hospital Outreach Post-suicide attempt Engagement - HOPE). A key component of the Senior Consumer Peer Worker role is offering to people referred to the Brief Intervention Team, peer support using the Intentional Peer Support framework and a recovery-oriented perspective. In addition, the Senior Consumer Peer Worker will provide leadership support to other lived experience consumer peer workers withing the Mental Health and Wellbeing Program.

The Senior Consumer Peer Worker works in close collaboration with other team members and leadership in offering care and support to people referred. Peer workers support consumers to be involved in decision making about their own care and treatment; and build understanding of the effectiveness of the peer workforce. The role is mainly based within the BIT service; and also operates as part of a broader lived experience workforce team.

For more information on our Lived Experience Workforce, please visit our website.

About you

To be successful in this role you will possess:

Lived experience or expertise as a person who has accessed public mental health services.
Understanding of mental health peer work support principles and ability to use peer support to provide hope, a belief in recovery and the value of self-care.
Substantial experience in mental health lived experience/expertise role
Experience and capacity in the leadership of Lived Experience staff.
Highly developed interpersonal and leadership experience
A strong commitment to high quality care
The ability to work as part of a diverse team
Excellent communication and organisational skills

Healthcare workers are strongly recommended to follow COVID vaccination recommendations provided in the Australian Immunisation handbook (based on ATAGI advice). Seasonal vaccination against influenza is a mandatory requirement of this role and an offer is conditional on this being up to date prior to employment.

What we offer

Eastern Health offers a variety of fantastic Employee Benefits, view the extensive range here!

Mentor and Shadowing program
Access to discovery days across our 50 sites
Study and professional development leave
Friendly & supportive teams
Commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Fitness Passport for work-life balance
Employee Assistance program accessible for you and your loved ones
Flexible working hours and excellent entitlements
Salary packaging options and an employee benefits scheme
Access to Private Health Insurance offers
Digital upskilling, such as excel and Power-Bi training
Cafes at all of our Hospitals

Next Steps

Apply online if you feel we are a good match, you have the skills and qualities to make a difference, and are eligible to work in Australia.

We review all applications when we receive them, and we notify unsuccessful candidates.

If you are shortlisted, we will be in touch to arrange an interview, and you must complete a National Police Check.

Good to know:

We are an equal opportunity employer and actively promote equality for people of all races, ethnicities, gender identities, sexual orientations, and for people living with disability – within the communities we serve and our Eastern Health team.
We provide a culturally safe and welcoming environment for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander employees.
As a child-safe organisation, we ensure child safety and wellbeing is embedded in our everyday culture.
Vaccination and screening for immunity to vaccine-preventable disease is a mandatory requirement of this role.
Advertising may end before the closing date.
We do not accept recruitment agency application.