AddressThe Mental Health & Wellbeing Locals is community-led and integrated through a collaborative partnership between us at Inspiro, Wellways, Eastern Health, and Oonah. The Locals are dedicated to placing the community at the forefront of mental health and wellbeing reform in the Yarra Ranges.
The focus is on care and support for adults (26 and over), who are experiencing mental health concerns – including people with co-occurring alcohol and drug treatment and care needs and their family, carers, and supporters.
This role makes up part of the Towards Change team and is a crucial part of the Victorian Mental health reform work which the Locals are undertaking.
Our Towards Change team is seeking an experienced Exercise Physiologist who will utilise their specialised knowledge to design and implement tailored exercise programs to support participants’ mental wellbeing.
The role involves assessing individual needs, collaborating with professionals, and empowering participants to improve mood, cognitive function, and overall wellness through physical activity.
You will be an enthusiastic and passionate champion for mental health reform in Victoria’s new mental health system with the goal of improving outcomes for participants, carers, and the wider community.
The role is ongoing, part time 0.4FTE, (2 days per week) based at our Lilydale site, plus other sites if required (Yarra Junction and Belgrave).
Come and join our values-based, community organisation - being Friendly, ClientCentred and Local are who we are and what we’re about!
About the role
You will work with participants to develop a tailored exercise program appropriate to their abilities and interests, ensuring their program is integrated with any other services offered to the participant.
Through your work as an Exercise Physiologist, you’ll promote regular physical activity, helping alleviate symptoms, boost mood, enhance cognitive function, and instil a sense of confidence and resilience in your clients. Your dedication to promoting holistic health will not only transform individual lives but also contribute to a broader cultural shift towards recognising the vital role of physical activity in mental wellness.
In the role you will:
- Conduct comprehensive fitness assessments to evaluate participants' physical health, fitness levels, and specific mental health needs.
- Develop individualised exercise programs tailored to participants' abilities, preferences, and mental health goals, considering any existing medical conditions or treatment regimens.
- Guide participants through safe and effective exercise routines, providing instruction, supervision, and motivation as needed.
- Monitor participants' progress, track adherence to exercise regimens, and adjust programs accordingly to ensure optimal outcomes and safety.
- Collaborate closely with mental health professionals to integrate exercise interventions into holistic treatment plans.
- Communicate regularly with interdisciplinary teams to share updates on participants' progress, address concerns, and coordinate care effectively.
- Support referrals to other professionals (with participant consent) where additional assessment or review could improve the service for the participant.
- Educate participants about the mental health benefits of regular physical activity, emphasising its role in stress reduction, mood enhancement, and overall wellbeing.
- Empower participants to take ownership of their health by teaching proper exercise techniques, promoting self-monitoring skills, and fostering a positive attitude towards physical activity.
- Engage with community organisations, advocacy groups, and public health initiatives to promote the integration of exercise into mental health care and raise awareness of its benefits.
- Advocate for policies and resources that support access to safe and inclusive exercise opportunities for individuals with mental health challenges.
- Support participants to engage in community groups/activities that promote regular exercise.
About you, you will have:
- An understanding of exercise physiology principles, including the physiological responses to exercise and the principles of exercise prescription.
- Knowledge of mental health disorders, their symptoms, treatment options, and the role of exercise in managing mental health conditions.
- Familiarity with assessment tools and techniques used to evaluate participants' physical fitness, functional capacity, and mental health status.
- Experience in developing individualised exercise programs tailored to participants' needs, preferences, and health goals.
- Proficiency in guiding participants through safe and effective exercise techniques, providing appropriate supervision, and adapting programs to accommodate varying abilities and limitations.
- Strong ability to convey warmth, openness, and concern for welfare of participants.
- Ability to self-regulate and self-monitor own behaviours, practice self-reflection and a commitment to realistically assess personal strengths, limitations and biases.
- Work with individuals holistically and contextually, considering systems, institutions, families, cultures, communities, and ethnicity.
- Demonstrated high level of self-awareness and an ability to operate within clearly defined boundaries of responsibility and scope of practice.
- Work as part of a multidisciplinary team to contribute to service and team development and the promotion of the Local and its services.
- Capability to make informed decisions on reasonably complex issues, aligning with established policies and procedures, and adept at identifying and resolving problems or obstacles in collaboration with team members.
- Capacity to work autonomously and collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team, efficiently managing multiple tasks in a demanding environment.
- In-depth knowledge of trauma-informed practice and practical experience in applying person-centred approaches.
- Exceptional communication skills, encompassing proficiency in written, verbal, and interpersonal interactions.
- Ability to work respectfully and creatively with a CALD client population, including Indigenous Australians and the LGBTIQA+ Community.
You will also have:
- Relevant tertiary qualification
- Registration with ESSA (Exercise and Sports Science Australia)
- Willingness to learn and adapt to technology platforms relevant to the position.
- Basic skills in Microsoft Office Suite and CRM systems
For a copy of the full Position Description, please visit our Careers page https://www.inspiro.org.au
About Inspiro
Inspiro is a not-for-profit community health service based in the Yarra Ranges. We’ve been delivering responsive, affordable and accessible care to our community for more than 26 years.
We provide friendly and client-centred allied health, counselling, dental and health promotion services that enhance and improve the health and wellbeing of our locals in the outer east of Melbourne.
Why work with us?
- Wellbeing is our priority - we’re committed to a culture that values and supports staff wellbeing. All our leaders are trained in mental health first aid and our wellbeing initiatives are ever evolving and promoted across our organisation. We have trained Wellbeing Connectors, supported Personal Resilience Plans, a Wellness Well for staff wellbeing driven activities, an active Health & Wellbeing Committee (just to name a few) and of course our Employee Assistance Program.
- Attractive remuneration - receive a generous salary and benefits, including NFP salary packaging, meal and entertainment and novated lease.
- Great team culture - we promote a collaborative approach across Inspiro and understand that by embracing hybrid models of work where possible, our staff can benefit from a flexible, family-friendly, and outcome-focused culture and bring their whole selves to work.
- Ongoing professional development - we invest in workforce development and provide opportunities for our staff to grow and enhance the way we work and provide services.
- Everyone is welcome - Inspiro encourages a diverse and inclusive culture where individual differences and intersecting identities are respected and celebrated.
- Free onsite car parking & accessible public transport - we have free onsite car parking and are also close to Lilydale and Belgrave train stations.
To Apply
Tell us why you’d like to work at Inspiro and what you can bring to this role.
Please apply with an updated resume and cover letter. Alternatively, send your application to our HR team at **********@inspiro.org.au. If you have any questions, please get in touch.
We’re keen to recruit for this role ASAP – so we’ll shortlist as applications are received. Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted. No agencies please.
We welcome Everyone. Inspiro is committed to an inclusive workforce and celebrates the value of difference and diversity. We encourage applications from people of all abilities and ages, First Nations people and people of all cultures. We also encourage people to apply who have a lived experience of mental health challenges so that our workforce can better connect with our community and drive collaborative and innovative healthcare improvements.
To be the successful candidate you must:
- meet the position requirements,
- undertake a current National or International Police Record Check,
- hold an Employee Working with Children Check
- Australian Driver’s Licence
- provide evidence of right to work in Australia
- provide 100 points of identification
- hold or be willing to obtain a NDIS Worker Screening Check,
- complete induction training and NDIS Workers Orientation Modules and
- meet the mandatory COVID-19 vaccination requirements.
Inspiro may request additional background checks subject to current legislation.
