Position Description
POSITION TITLE: Peer Overdose Prevention Worker
DIVISION: Mental Health, Drugs and Alcohol Services (MHDAS)
REPORTS TO: Manager Drugs and Alcohol Services (DAS)
DIRECT REPORTS: Nil
APPROVED: Manager DAS
APPROVAL DATE: April 2017
PRIMARY OBJECTIVE:
As a member of the DAS multidisciplinary team, and utilising a lived experience of substance use, you will provide overdose prevention activities (i) directly to people at high risk of,
or who have survived, overdose, and (ii) via capacity building initiatives with the target client group and other relevant stakeholders.
BARWON HEALTH VISION – Together with our community we build healthier lives, inspired by world class standards
PRIORITIES
VALUES
RESPECT
Our Consumers at the Forefront
Our People at their Best
Right Care, Right Time, Right Place
Research, Education and Training for Excellence
Our Community’s Wellbeing
We RESPECT the people we connect with
COMPASSION
We show COMPASSION for the people we care for and work with
COMMITMENT
We are COMMITED to quality and excellence in everything we do
ACCOUNTABILITY
Mission
With our consumers at the forefront, we excel in delivering efficient integrated care,
education & research to advance health and wellbeing for all.
We take ACCOUNTABILITY for what we do
INNOVATION
We drive INNOVATION for better care
POSITION DIMENSION & DECISION MAKING AUTHORITY:
KEY COMMUNICATION CONTACTS (INFORMED):
Without referral to Manager (RESPONSIBLE)
Purpose/Frequency of Contact
Contact/Organisation
For line management and advice as
necessary
DAS Manager, Harm Reduction Team
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Day to day direct harm reduction and overdose prevention service delivery
Develop relationships with key internal and external stakeholders
Work closely with the DAS Harm Reduction Team and DAS Treatment Team
Report activity as required by the DAS Manager and funding body
Engage in peer network and supervision activities
Self Help Addiction Resource Centre
(SHARC) and Harm Reduction Victoria
(HRV)
After Consultation with Manager or others (CONSULTED)
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Assist in the development of high quality overdose prevention/management and
harm reduction information and education materials
Co-deliver capacity building initiatives to professional stakeholders
Attend professional development and relevant meetings/committees as
identified with the DAS Manager
Provide advice and lived experience
perspective for quality improvement and
education/cultural change
MHDAS staff, consumers, families, other
professionals
As appropriate within scope of role
Referred to Managers or others (CONSULTED)
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Any identified deterioration or concerns relating to the health or safety of an
individual being supported by the program
Complaints
Concerns about risks to self or other in the course of delivering services
As appropriate within scope of role
DAS Manager
KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES:
Key Result Area
Major Activities
Performance Measures
Service Delivery
Draw on local knowledge and experience of substance
use to identify those at risk of overdosing, and those who
Evidence of engagement with peers/consumers, MHDAS
staff and other professionals in line with the objectives of
have survived overdose, and provide 1:1 peer support
and education to people who may not utilise mainstream
supports
the role
Enhance the reach of the DAS Take Home Naloxone
Program, including assertive follow up for trained
consumers
Record relevant data
Evidence of appropriate documentation in clinical file
Participate in line management, group and peer network
supervision
Identify and immediately report health risks or issues
outside of scope of practice to a clinical team member
Document support interactions within the clinical file
Record relevant activity data as required
Networking, Resources and Education
Develop professional relationships with key stakeholders
and relevant services involved with the target consumer
groups
Develop a formal network of interested peers and
consumers to develop high quality, localised overdose
prevention and management information and education
materials
Evidence of good working relationships and referrals
being received from key stakeholders and agencies
Resources developed and distributed
Education session delivered and with positive feedback
received via session evaluation forms
Co-deliver community education and information sessions
to increase the capacity of peer, family and professional
groups to reduce overdose risks and respond to overdose
Professional Development and Training
Participate in line supervision, annual performance
appraisal and agreed professional development plan
Participate in Peer supervision and networks
Effective Information and Knowledge Management
Maintain confidentiality as per privacy legislation on all
Active participation in monthly line management
supervision, completion of annual performance review
and completion of professional development plan
Active participation in Peer network meetings and
activities
Evidence of understanding relevant privacy and
issues related to the organisation, staff and consumers of
the service
Competently understand and report relevant data for
evaluation purposes
confidentiality legislation
Accurate data reporting as required
Escalate any compliments and complaints to line
manager
Occupational Health and Safety
Ensure all incidents and hazards are reported in line with
Barwon Health OH&S and risk policies and procedures
Demonstrated adherence to Barwon health policies and
procedures
Other Duties
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Exhibits a commitment the Barwon Health’s Values
including team based above and below behaviours
Undertake special projects or reports required by the
DAS Manger on a wide range of issues
Report all incidents through the incident management
system
Practice in accordance with the relevant health care
or industry standards
Demonstrate an understanding of appropriate
behaviours when engaging with children
Complete mandatory training and education
Comply with relevant Barwon Health policies and
procedures
Participate in quality improvement activities
Perform all other duties as directed within the limits of
skill, competence and training to maximise flexibility
and effectiveness
KEY SELECTION CRITERIA – LEADERSHIP CAPABILITY FRAMEWORK: Leadership Capabilities
Barwon Health Leadership Capabilities
Leadership Behaviour 1 – SHAPES STRATEGIC THINKING
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Acknowledges their strengths and development needs
Understands and interprets complex information
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Barwon Health values modelled at all times.
Performance Review
Demonstrated use of incident management system
Adherence to applicable health care or industry
standards
Demonstrated completion of mandatory training
Adherence with Barwon Health policy and
procedures
Adherence with Child Safe Standards
Active participation in required quality improvement
activities
Performance Review
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Articulates how they contribute to the bigger picture
Leadership Behaviour 2 – ACHIEVES RESULTS
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Is responsive and completes tasks within set timelines
Contributes positively towards change
Remains optimistic and focuses on the positives of different situations
Leadership Behaviour 3 – FORGES RELATIONSHIPS AND ENGAGES OTHERS
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Works effectively with others by building sound relationships to achieve outcomes
Shares ideas and opinions openly with others and invites others to do the same
Contributes to team spirit by encouraging communication and co-operation
Leadership Behaviour 4 – EXEMPLIFIES PERSONAL DRIVE AND PROFESSIONALISM
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Exercises organisational awareness when dealing with stakeholders
Demonstrates professional approach to service delivery
Communicates effectively both verbally and in writing
Leadership Behaviour 5 – DRIVES BUSINESS EXCELLENCE
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Accepts the rules and procedures of the organisation
Takes personal responsibility for accurate completion of work
Builds trust by treating people fairly and with empathy
KEY SELECTION CRITERIA - SPECIALIST KNOWLEDGE:
QUALIFICATIONS ESSENTIAL:
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Current Victorian driver’s licence
Certificate IV in Alcohol and Other Drugs, or commitment to completing this qualification
EXPERIENCE and/or SPECIALIST KNOWLEDGE ESSENTIAL:
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Lived experience of overcoming the impact of substance use issues
Sound knowledge of overdose risks and responses, and harm reduction strategies
Knowledge of peer support principals, and ability and willingness to support others through respectful sharing of a lived experience
Ability to build and maintain professional experiences with internal and external stakeholders
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Ability to co-design and co-present training and education
Demonstrated communication and interpersonal skills
Computer skills in Microsoft Office applications
DESIRABLE:
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Experience working in a Peer Support role
Experience in education and training
Demonstrated ability to work within a team environment
Knowledge of local substance use trends and communities