Support Coordinator (Mental Health)

The Organisation

Since 1997, Bridges Health & Community Care Ltd. (BHCC) has assisted thousands of people to move beyond the isolation and stigma of mental illness and addictions to live a meaningful existence with a sense of purpose.  We deliver a range of programs throughout rural and regional Queensland, supported by professional staff committed to our practice principles of recovery, “No Wrong Door” and exceptional customer service.

The Opportunity

There is the exciting opportunity to join our dynamic and person-centred team as Support Coordinator in our Bundaberg office.  You will play an integral role to support people to access NDIS services and interpret their NDIS plan, assisting them to establish the supports in their plan and develop their capacity over time to coordinate and manage their own supports.  We are flexible regarding hours of work for the right candidate.

Key Accountabilities:

The key accountabilities for this role are:

• Assist people with moderate to severe mental illness to improve their capacity and capability using a person-centred approach and recovery oriented, capacity building framework.
• Action referrals in a timely manner
• Meet with and engage participants to develop and refine their goals
• Work with participants to help build their own capacity and independence
• Support the NDIS participant to:
  • Assess a number of provider options
  • Select preferred options or providers
  • Negotiate services to be provided and their prices
  • Develop service agreements and create service bookings with preferred providers
  • Arrange for any assessments required to determine the nature and type of funding required
  • Determine the budget for each support type and advise any relevant plan manager of the breakdown of funds
  • Liaise with any plan manager to establish the appropriate claim categories and attribute the correct amount of funds
  • Link to mainstream or community services (i.e. housing, education, transport, health)
  • Strengthen and enhance participants capacity to coordinate supports, self-direct and manage supports and participate in the community
• Be the key contact for service issues, complaints, major changes and plan reviews
• Assist participants to prepare for their plan review by supporting them to:
  • assess whether they achieved their goals and got value for money for their plan
  • identify solutions to problems experienced in implementing the plan
  • consider new goals
• Effective networking internally and externally to assist individuals achieve their goals and personal outcomes
• Ensure collection of relevant data and maintain accurate records as prescribed in a timely and efficient manner.

Personal Attributes:

We are seeking candidates who have:

• Knowledge and experience in working with people experiencing moderate to serious mental illness and complex needs using principles of recovery and person-centred care
• Ability to work in diverse and challenging situations
• Understanding of the principles of privacy and confidentiality and duty of care
• Ability to assist clients connect with other appropriate community resources
• A commitment to evidence-based practice, continuous quality improvement, training, and professional development

Selection Criteria:

• Minimum Certificate IV in Mental Health, Individual/Disability Support, or Peer Work will be highly regarded.
• Experience in working with people who have complex needs associated with a moderate to severe mental illness; and/or experience working in the disability sector
• Knowledge and understanding of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and what this means to consumers
• The ability to communicate clearly, professionally and respectfully with consumers, families, colleagues, other agency personnel and external stakeholders
• Demonstrated excellent oral and written communication, and organisational skills
• Demonstrated computer skills, with intermediate to advanced knowledge in Microsoft Office applications, use of smart phones or similar mobile device.

A requirement prior to commencement, is the ability to obtain or currently hold the below:

• Blue Card for Working with Children
• Current NDIS Worker Screening Clearance
• Current Queensland Open Drivers Licence
• The right to work in Australia

About the Benefits

Bridges Health & Community Care Ltd understand the critical importance of their employees in the success of the organisation and as such are always on the lookout for talented, like-minded individuals to join their team.

In return for your hard work and dedication, you'll receive an attractive remuneration package commensurate with experience and qualifications, as well as salary packaging options to further enhance your take-home pay. 

You will be joining a culture that is dedicated to helping you succeed. Ongoing training and professional development is available to help you grow, and flexible working arrangements are negotiable to ensure that you maintain a great work-life balance.

This is a truly rewarding opportunity to support an organisation that assists vulnerable and marginalised members of the community. If you think you have what it takes to join the Bridges team then we want to hear from you - apply now!

Interested applicants are required to submit:

• an up-to-date resume including two recent referees;
• a cover letter addressing the selection criteria and requirements of the role.

For confidential enquiries about the role or a Position Description, please contact Bruce Bryan at **@bas.org.au or 1300 707 655.

Applications close at 5pm on Thursday 29 February 2024.

Early applications are encouraged. We reserve the right to close the position if a suitable candidate is found sooner than the closing date.