POSITION DESCRIPTION
1. POSITION SUMMARY
2. OUR ORGANISATION
The Inner South Community Health Service (ISCHS) is a multi-sited community health agency providing a comprehensive range of health and welfare services to the communities of Prahran, St. Kilda, South Melbourne and Port Melbourne. Approximately 200 staff work in multi-disciplinary teams to deliver programs and services across four key service locations: Southport (in Coventry St, South Melbourne); Inkerman St, St Kilda; Mitford St, St Kilda; Malvern Rd, Prahran.
Our programs include:
· Dental Program;
· Health Innovations Partnerships Program;
· Aged Health and Rehabilitation Program;
- Indigenous Access and Equity Program;
· Community, Youth and Family Health Program and;
· Service Support and Development Program
The ISCHS has a commitment to continuous quality improvement and has a reputation for innovation and excellence in its service delivery. The Service values collaboration and works effectively as part of the local service system and prides itself on developing innovative, responsive services to meet community needs.
2.1 Mission
Inner South Community Health Service is committed to deliver innovative, responsive and targeted health services and to take a leadership role in advocacy, evaluation and policy development. We strive to ensure access and linkage to services for those in the community who may not readily access mainstream services and to make an impact on the health of marginalized people.
2.2 Values
We value:
· Active client and community participation in service development and delivery
· Innovative, quality services that are client focused, responsive and outcome oriented
· Services that address issues of access and equity
· Proactive and responsive service delivery to marginalized groups within our communities
· Our staff and an environment where skills are developed and encouraged
· A continuous learning culture
· The provision of a safe and supportive environment for staff, service users and visitors
· Good governance, ethical management and transparency in decision making
· Fostering partnerships, which achieve the best outcomes for our communities.
For more information on our organization please visit our website www.ischs.org.au.
3. POSITION DETAILS
3.1 Position context
The ConnectED Project is a joint initiative between community and acute services aiming to improve the health and wellbeing of people with a mental health issue and complex psychosocial needs who may be socially isolated or homeless, and who are likely to become frequent users of hospital emergency and inpatient services. It will do this by:
- Developing a coordinated and comprehensive service response, by acute and community health care agencies, to client needs,
- Engaging clients individually, in groups and in community settings, and
- Developing strategies to improve environments that have the potential to adversely impact on people’s health and wellbeing.
The project has a strong emphasis on developing relationships between the Emergency Department of the Alfred Hospital and local primary health care services.
ConnectED Project Partners are:
- RDNS Homeless Persons Program - Inner South Community Health Service
- Alfred Hospital Emergency Dept. - Bentleigh Bayside Community Health Service
- Bayside Health Community Psychiatry
- Port Phillip Community Group - Prahran Mission
- City of Port Phillip - Sacred Heart Mission
- South City GP Services - Alfred Hospital Homeless Psychiatric Outreach Service
The Department of Human Services under the Hospital Admission Risk Program (HARP) funds the ConnectED project. The Hospital Admission Risk Program focuses on avoiding unnecessary emergency presentations and hospital admissions and readmissions. The major fundholder for the project is the Bayside Health.
3.2 Position objective
In this established and innovative position you will provide assertive outreach to people with a mental illness and complex psychosocial needs, including issues associated with homelessness and / or drug and alcohol use. You will play a key role in needs assessment and linking clients to appropriate mainstream and specialist services, with a view to reducing client’s use of the Alfred Emergency department. This position will work closely with other ConnectED funded agencies to identify and reduce service gaps for the client target group.
3.3 Key Responsibilities
Client related responsibilities
· Provide assertive outreach to clients with complex needs, who are identified by ConnectED as being frequent attenders at emergency and inpatient services.
· To provide advocacy for individual clients and for the client group, to enhance the capacity of ISCHS/ConnectED to meet needs of client group.
· To undertake collaborative case work with ConnectED clients.
· Meet and work with other ConnectED workers to foster strong community networks.
· Provide detailed Mental State Examination, Risk Assessment of clients.
· Extensive diagnostic knowledge related to Mental illness, disorders/conditions.
· Demonstrate knowledge of pharmacology issues related to target client group.
· Knowledge of physical Illnesses and their impact on an individual’s Mental Well being.
· Knowledge of potential psychosocial issues that target client group may face.
· Participate in the assessing, planning, implementation of care plans whilst working in partnership with ConnectED clients and the ConnectED team.
· Provide discipline specific knowledge.
· Participate in the development of community work projects and programs designed to enhance the community’s ability to respond to the needs of the target group.
· Maintain accurate client and program records and statistics as required.
· Demonstrate/evidence of proficient Information Technology skills.
· Participate in case allocation and case review as required.
Team-related responsibilities
· Provide discipline-specific input to the team’s work and to other programs within the Service.
· Contribute to the development and maintenance of a supportive environment within the team.
· Participate in the evaluation of the Program's services and group activities.
· Participate in specific work unit within the team as directed by the MHT Coordinator or Program Manager.
Network and Liaison
· Liaise and consult with service providers from other ISCHS programs to facilitate primary care services to the target group.
· Liaise with other psychiatric service providers to ensure effective service delivery and continuity of care for the Program's clients.
· Liaise with a range of clinical, community groups and agencies with a view to improving the provision and co-ordination of a broad range of services to the target group.
Professional Development
· To attend and contribute to staff development and supervision programs, and to attend relevant courses when appropriate.
· To participate in peer review/practice review.
Administrative
· To attend all relevant Centre meetings.
· To accurately complete timesheets and statistics on a routine basis.
General
· To participate in the ongoing planning, evaluation and development of the Health Innovations Partnership Program/ConnectED Team.
· To adhere to ISCHS/ConnectED policies and procedures.
· To participate in quality assurance activities as required.
· To receive appropriate training about the Needle & Syringe Program (NSP) and participate in the NSP as required.
· Other duties as required by the Manager of the Program.
3.4 REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS
· The Connect ED worker reports directly to the Mental Health Team Coordinator (MHT) and will also report to the ConnectED team of service providers.
· To the Program Manager (MHT) via the Program Coordinator (MHT).
4. KEY SELECTION CRITERIA
Mandatory
· A professional qualification of Psychiatric Nursing or Registered Nurse and appropriate registration with professional organization i.e.; Nurses Board of Victoria or a Bachelor of O.T. or equivalent from a recognized school of Occupational Therapy and eligibility for membership to OT Australia, or a professional qualification in Social Work and eligibility for registration with the AASW.
· Experience and Extensive Knowledge of Mental illness and psychosocial triggers to ill health.
· Ability to work effectively under supervision.
· Ability to work independently and as a member of a team.
· Highly developed interpersonal, communication and negotiation skills.
· Demonstrated ability in the provision of education and information services.
· Knowledge of the principles and application of the Mental Health Act 1986, other Acts, and policy documents relevant to the provision of mental health services.
· Demonstrated commitment to the principles and practice of consumer empowerment.
· Demonstrated commitment to on-going education.
Desirable
· A current Victorian Driver’s Licence.
· Knowledge of the Inner South and its networks.
· Experience in working with, and sensitivity to, a variety of cultures, including the use of interpreters.
· Ability to speak a language relevant to the Inner South community.
5. CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT
Award
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Registered Psychiatric Nurse (RPN 3)
SW3/SACS/
OT2, HSUA 2 |
Salary Level
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Registered Psychiatric Nurse 3 (as per Award)
Or HSUA Number 2 Award (Occupational Therapy)
Or Social Worker Grade 3
Superannuation and salary packaging |
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Salary packaging |
For further information please refer to Salary Packaging information below. |
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Hours per week
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1.0-0.8 EFT (40 hours per week with the provision to accrue a rostered day off).
To meet Client, Program and Service needs, some out-of-hours and/or weekend work may be required. Any time worked in excess of the agreed hours per week is expected to be taken as time-in-lieu. |
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Duration
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Permanent
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Probationary Period
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This position is subject to a probationary period of three months, in accordance with ISCHS Recruitment Policy. |
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Location |
St Kilda Site (Mitford Street)
From time to time the incumbent may be requested to work from or be based at other ISCHS centres.
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Accountability |
To the Board of Management via the Chief Executive Officer.
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Salary Packaging information:
· Salary packaging is a legitimate method of restructuring existing salary into a combination of salary and expense payment benefits in order to provide a higher net remuneration for the employee.
· This offer applies while Inner South Community Health Service continues to be granted "public benevolent institution" status and enjoys exemption from the provisions of the Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT). Should our status change salary packaging will no longer be available.
· It is not compulsory for employees to take up the offer to ‘package’ their salary; however the benefits from packaging are considerable. There is a small cost to the employee.
· Salary packaging is not available for casual or locum employees.
Meals Entertainment Information:
· Meal entertainment is also available at ISCHS. It is of great benefit to staff as it is a tax-free benefit in addition to the $16,050that you can claim through Salary Packaging. ISCHS staff are able to claim up to $5000 p.a. worth of FBT exempt meal entertainment expenses on top of their existing packaging.
Please Note: There is potential that Community Health may loose its current PBI Status, which will affect Salary Packaging and Meals Entertainment Benefits. Community Health Agencies are responding to this potenial loss as a sector and are hopeful that we will be able to maintain our Salary Packaging and Meals Entertainment Entitlements.
6. APPLICATION PROCESS
Written applications addressing the selection criteria and including a resume and the names of three professional referees should be forwarded to Virginia Alexander, Recruitment Coordinator, at:
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Postal Address
Inner South Community Health Service
P.O. Box 103
South Melbourne Vic 3205
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Email
mailto:recruit@ischs.org.au
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Facsimile
9696 7228 |
Closing Date:
Applications must be received by: Friday 8th August 2008 at 5:00pm.
Further enquiries related to the position can be directed to:
Additional notes to applicants
· Selection will be based on how well applicants meet the selection criteria; therefore it is essential that applicants specifically address all the selection criteria.
· A satisfactory police check will be required of the successful applicant.
· Former Victorian Government employees who were recipients of a voluntary departure package (VDP) are ineligible to apply within the restriction period.
· The Inner South Community Health Service is committed to protecting your privacy according to the National Privacy Principles (NPPs). The ISCHS has a Privacy Statement and a Collection Statement, both of which are available on request to all applicants (if you require a copy, please contact Virginia Alexander on 9684 4221).
· Pre-Existing Injury
Prior to any person being appointed to this position it will be required that they disclose full details of any pre-existing injuries or disease that might be affected by employment in this position.