• Part-time, permanent position (22.8 hours p/w)
• Heidelberg location
• Base salary + salary packaging + super + 5 weeks annual leave
• Rotating 7-day roster, day/afternoon shifts

Austin Health is the major provider of tertiary health services, health professional education and research across three campuses in the North East of Melbourne and state-wide.  We have a highly engaged, diverse and collaborative workforce that is unified by our purpose, which is to help people live healthy and fulfilled lives.

About the Mental Health Division

The division provides care and services through a comprehensive range of teams, to meet the needs of mental health consumers and carers throughout Victoria.  All services work within a clinical framework that promotes recovery-oriented practice and supported decision making.

About HOPE

The Hospital Outreach Post-suicidal Engagement (HOPE) initiative provides tailored, holistic support to people post a suicide attempt, with the aim of supporting the person and their carers and families to identify and build the protective factors that reduce the risk of suicide and/or repeated intentional self-harm.

About the role

As a Psychosocial Support Officer (PSO) in our HOPE team you will work in collaboration with the clinical team to promote our clients’ wellbeing, by supporting connectedness with the community, and implementing goals and strategies with clients and their carers/families.

A regular day will see you:

• Intervene via an approach that actively engages clients in the assessment of their own risk, and aid in creation of suicide prevention plans in order to minimise the risk of future suicidal behaviours
• Promote a healthy lifestyle, and through general problem solving, assist the client to take steps towards positive change in their lives and to more effectively manage their distress
• Assist clients to navigate services, providing transport to appointments at times
• Ensure linkage with appropriate health practitioners, community services and recreational groups

About you

You will be someone with excellent communication, interpersonal and collaboration skills, who takes a highly compassionate approach to their work.

You will bring with you:

• At least 7 years of relevant experience or 5 years of relevant experience with an appropriate qualification; or equivalent
• Recent experience working with individuals in crisis and with mental health issues
• An understanding of the Area Mental Health Service and principles and practices of DHHS Recovery-Oriented Practice in Mental Health
• A current Victorian Driver’s License and the ability to drive a work vehicle

Our benefits

Working at Austin Health means enjoying a strong sense of purpose, engaging in meaningful work every day.  Our people also receive a variety of rewarding benefits, including:

• $11,660 in salary packaging benefits, for living expenses, meals and holiday accommodation
• A suite of wellness initiatives designed to support you, including discounts on fitness memberships and health insurance, and a comprehensive wellbeing program
• Mentoring and career development opportunities
• Onsite childcare, easy access via public transport, car parking and end of journey facilities for cyclists 
• Five weeks annual leave, plus purchased leave options 

Inclusion at Austin

We celebrate, value and include people of all backgrounds, genders, identities, cultures, bodies and abilities.  We welcome and support applications from anyone identifying as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander, physically or culturally diverse, LGBTQIA+, and people of any age.

Work with us!

If you feel this role is right for you, we encourage your early application.  All appointments are made subject to a satisfactory National Police Check and if required, a Working With Children Check. If you require any reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process, please feel free to reach out to the hiring manager.