Family Whanau Peer Support Worker, Eating Disorders

• Hillmorton Hospital, Christchurch
• Permanent part time (20 hours per week) position
• Brand new role aimed to improve the experience for tangata whai ora (people seeking wellness) and their family-whānau 

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is firmly grounded in the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and is committed to building a health system that serves all New Zealanders. 

About the Role 

Family-whānau have an important role to play in the treatment and recovery of people who have an eating disorder. This role is a first in New Zealand for services specialising in the treatment of eating disorders and is an exciting opportunity to explore and develop ways to enhance the relationships between family-whānau and the treating team, with a view to improving and maximising outcomes for tangata whai ora (people seeking wellness). 

As a Family Whānau Peer Support Worker you will connect with families and whānau of tangata whai ora who are in treatment with the South Island Eating Disorders Service. Communication, clinical outcomes, access, and care experiences will all be improved from your contribution as a bridge between clinicians and family-whānau. 

Attributes of a Family Whānau Peer Support Worker include:

• Mutuality (sharing common experiences and authentic relationships), which means we are looking for someone with their own lived experience of supporting someone with an eating disorder and their journey towards wellbeing. 
• Experiential Knowledge, which means you are willing to use your own experiences of supporting someone with an eating disorder to encourage and inspire the families and whānau you will work with.
• Participation, which means you honor the contributions of family-whānau and support them to identify and use their strengths. 
• Self-Determination, which means you encourage family-whānau to make their own decisions, try new things, and work together. 
• Equity, which means you have an understanding of how discrimination, trauma, and injustice affect family-whānau. 
• Hope and wellbeing, which means you model resilience and positive ways of providing support to a loved one with an eating disorder. 

About the Team/Service/Location

Our clinical team is a multidisciplinary team providing evidence-based treatment to tangata whai ora who have an eating disorder. We offer inpatient treatment through our ward, Whangai Aroha, as well as community based treatment. We are a regional service with responsibilities for supporting clinicians throughout the South Island in providing care to people who have an eating disorder. 

About You

You'll bring your own knowledge and experience of supporting someone with an eating disorder to the role, and we ask that you tell us about your journey in your cover letter.

• A willingness to complete any relevant education or qualifications
• A commitment to on-going self-development
• Experience and willingness to work effectively with people from diverse cultures and backgrounds, especially Māori and Pasifika communities and their whānau
• A willingness to work alongside clinicians in a constructive and positive way to support the journey of tangata whaiora and their whanau
• Skilled in facilitating groups or have a passion to learn these skills
• Be a positive and encouraging person with the ability to role model how to move forward supporting this journey to wellbeing
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and discretion
• Ability to organise and plan workload
• Must have a current full New Zealand driver's licence 

Working at Health New Zealand

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is dedicated to ensuring excellent healthcare for the people of New Zealand. We embrace a workforce that is diverse and inclusive so that we are better positioned to understand and service our community. We welcome applications from our diverse Māori, Pacific, disabled, and rainbow communities. 

How to Apply

To apply please click “apply now.” All applications must be submitted through our online careers’ portal by Wednesday, 1st July. If you have any questions about the role, please contact Lisa.Gray2@tewhatuora.govt.nz

We will review applications as received and may proceed with the recruitment process, before the closing date of this advert.

Whilst Health New Zealand is undergoing change, affected employees will be given preference and priority for this position.

Position description Apply now

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