The Royal Melbourne Hospital is one of Australia’s leading public healthcare providers. Join the team. Build a career. We are looking for a passionate and dedicated individual to join The Royal Melbourne Hospital.

Carer Peer Support Worker - HOPE

Royal Melbourne Hospital

• Progressive team that advocates for the recognition and inclusion of carers, families and supporters.
• Utilise your carer lived experience to make a difference to support carers and families that have been a consumer within the 12 week Hospital Outreach Post-Suicidal Engagement (HOPE) program.
• Part time, ongoing role - 56 hours per fortnight.

About the Team:

This role is informed and supported by the Carer Lived Experience team and also works in close collaboration with the HOPE team.

The Hospital Outreach Post-Suicidal Engagement (HOPE) program has been developed to provide support to individuals discharged from the Royal Melbourne Hospital Emergency Department, medical ward or inpatient unit following a suicide attempt or displaying serious suicide ideation, intent, or planning.

The Carer Lived Experience team is creatively responding to the needs of carers by developing a range of support and educational supports for carers/families/supporters. This includes offering carers individual support via the Carer Peer Support program, as well as group connection and educational opportunities via the Carer Lived Experience Group Program. In addition, the Carer Lived Experience team works on a broader systemic level to ensure that the carer lived experience perspective is included at all levels of service development, delivery and training.

Your new role:

The Carer Peer Support Worker in the HOPE team specifically provides support to carers and families of an individual who is experiencing severe psychological distress and/or is suicidal and participating in the HOPE program. HOPE will support clients for a period of up to 12 weeks, providing assertive and coordinated care post-discharge.

In this role, you will:

• Utilise your significant lived experience of caring for a person that has accessed public mental health services to support carers/families following a suicide attempt or suicidal ideation by the person they are supporting.
• Utilise your carer lived experience to promote and expand the Carer Peer Support Program within the HOPE Team, in collaboration with the Carer Leads and Hope Clinical leads.
• Draw on your resilience and personal caring experience to share strategies and learnings as appropriate in a way that brings hope and supports and empowers carers to move forward.

 About you:

• Experience of supporting or caring for an adult with mental illness and/or who has experienced suicidal thoughts and/or severe psychological distress is an essential requirement for this role.
• Provide carers/families with a variety of support, including emotional support and a space to identify their information and support needs.
• Ability to work with and advocate for the needs of carers, families, and supporters of the service from all backgrounds, genders, sexualities, cultures, and abilities.
• Excellent, communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work independently, with highly developed organisation and time management skills.
• Proven ability to work with a range of lived experience staff, clinical staff, as well as external services.
•  Ability to learn and progress the role and work within the scope and boundaries of carer peer support work.

Benefits of working with RMH:

• Enjoy excellent work-life balance, working in a supportive and collaborative team.
• Salary packaging.
• Opportunity to progress your career within the Carer Lived Experience workforce.
• Close to public transport.

To view the full Position Description, please click HERE.

Interested in Applying?

If this opportunity resonates with you and you have the experience and qualifications we’re looking for, we encourage you to apply without delay. We’re reviewing applications and scheduling interviews immediately. Advertising may cease prior to the closing date. For a confidential discussion or more information, please reach out using the contact details above.

All appointments are made subject to a satisfactory Criminal History Record Check and a Working with Children Check.

Please note: This position is for applicants only. We do not accept applications from recruitment agencies or third-party representatives.

The RMH stands in solidarity with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in work and care. We are proud to be a workplace that champions diversity, inclusion and equality for our staff and our community.  Our goal is for our people to feel safe, included and supported so that they can be at their best every single day. We encourage talented people from all backgrounds, abilities, and identities to apply to our vacancies, and will consider adjustments to support such applications.