Website Central and Eastern Sydney PHN
Purpose of Role
The purpose of the Suicide Prevention coordinator role is to take primary responsibility for coordination and integration of early intervention and suicide prevention activities across regional stakeholders and service providers. Specifically, the Suicide Prevention coordinator will commission one-to-one services or population level supports to improve mental health outcomes in the region, for a whole of community benefit and/or whole of region or specific geographical communities or specific communities of interest.
This position will provide support to the local community through the coordination and connection of suicide prevention activities, community initiatives and establishment or maintenance of a suicide prevention collaborative. i.e. a multi sector group of individuals committed to working collaboratively to reducing suicide in the CESPHN community.
Key Responsibilities
Use project management skills to lead implementation of regional planning activities relating to suicide prevention, including overseeing progress and support of suicide prevention working and advisory groups, and supporting the monitoring and evaluation of these activities
Support the collection and maintenance of high quality data in compliance with policies and procedures, including the protection of confidential information and the implementation of data quality improvement plans;
Participate in the development of a safe and healthy workplace and comply with WHS legislation and instructions given in adhering to safe work procedures.
Building on the success of the National Suicide Prevention Trial or other relevant projects undertaken in the region, undertake data analytics and research using the Suicide and Self Harm Monitoring System and data from the state/territory government to identify measures of suicide prevalence and risk and communities with the highest need for suicide prevention supports and services.
Engage with the Department of Health and Aged Care and state/territory government to coordinate the development and integration of activity identified in the National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Agreement and other relevant agreements at a local jurisdictional level.
In partnership with relevant state/territory departments develop and overseas the implementation of a Regional Suicide Prevention Action Plan that:
Engages with community to determine gaps in services
Considers how the learnings from the National Suicide Prevention Trials are incorporated into jurisdictional plans
Improves care coordination through mapping local service pathways for those who have experienced suicidal ideation, attempted suicide or have been impacted through the loss of a loved one through the bereavement by suicide.
Identifies prevention and capacity building activities for people with lived experience, the community and service providers to meet the needs of at-risk cohorts in the community that identifies and responds earlier in times of distress.
Brings together the Department of Health and Aged Care and state/territory funded activity to identify duplication and opportunities for collaboration to cover identified gaps.
Identify and procure lived experience and/or peer support and mentorship programs for individuals and families impacted by suicide.
Identify and procure active involvement of people with a lived experience of suicide
Facilitate a multistakeholder suicide prevention (governance/planning/partnership/steering) group
Develop processes for and coordinate regional reporting, including identifying indicators to track the impact of regional suicide prevention activity, and evaluation of the Targeted Suicide Prevention Action Plan (including participant satisfaction data, implementation outputs).
Work closely with the Department of Health, the National Project Manager, and other PHN Regional Suicide Prevention coordinators to contribute to national implementation priorities and resources.
Facilitate development of agreed regional care pathways for those who have experienced suicidal ideation, attempted suicide or are bereaved by suicide
Public reporting on the progress of the Targeted Suicide Prevention Action Plan
This role will be given access to the AIHW secure portal with sensitive data and will be expected to be able to use this information and attend meetings about high-level suicide trends and insights gleaned from data.
To ensure a community-wide and systems-based approach to suicide prevention, the Suicide Prevention Coordinator role will have access to social determinant and health data from other teams within the PHN, which may help to inform suicide prevention activities. The Suicide Prevention Coordinator role will attend regular meetings with Senior PHN managers to discuss coronial data to inform decision making.
This role will work closely with counterparts to share high-level information and trends to inform activities.
Regularly communicate with commissioning coordinators including working with on-the-ground mental health and suicide prevention services, receive key insights on gaps in services, community groups in need and/or programs that are receiving good feedback. There will also be regular liaison with other PHN mental health and suicide prevention program staff which will allow for sharing of localized information which may help inform future strategic planning. Additionally, this role may be able to advise Commissioning Coordinators about services that would benefit from extended funding, particularly for in-demand programs that are meeting an identified need in community.
Provide advice to local suicide prevention and mental health services about upcoming funding opportunities, possibilities for joint funding, and advice for developing successful funding applications, which will build trust between local services and the PHN.
Details of relationships relevant to this role
Internal Stakeholders: This position works across the whole the whole organisation
External Stakeholders:
• Local health districts
• Local hospital networks
• Sector peak bodies
• Consumer peak bodies
• Commissioned service providers
• Research and evaluation organisations
• Service participants and carers
• Community members
Selection Criteria – Essential
· Proven track record in stakeholder engagement, ongoing coordination including an ability to build relationships and supportive partnerships with community leaders, and other stakeholders including Local Hospital Networks, government and non-government organisations.
· Project management experience in a health or wellbeing-related project/program, coordinating resources and meeting reporting requirements to ensure project outcomes are achieved.
· Demonstrated knowledge of, and experience in, local suicide prevention activities, collaboratives and working groups and suicide prevention and the mental health service sector within the region including the ability to identify gaps, prioritise needs and commission/co-commission supports and services with a focus on early intervention.
· Understanding of the suicide prevention sector, including the nature of mental health and suicide prevention service delivery.
· Demonstrated experience monitoring implementation of supports and services.
· Demonstrated project coordination experience, including a sound ability to manage multiple priorities, identify and manage risks and align key objectives.
· Proven ability to work both independently and as part of an on-site and remote team.
· Exceptional written and verbal communication skills with the ability to communicate effectively across a variety of mediums with a range of stakeholders including mental health and suicide prevention service providers, and the ability to respond appropriately and sensitively to people with lived experience of suicide and suicidality and including a proven ability to negotiate common outcomes.
· Sound decision making skills, incorporating initiative and professional judgement and respecting confidentiality requirements. Well-developed data analytical and problem-solving skills, including good data collection, analytical and reporting skills to monitor and review service activities, measure outcomes and identify trends.
· Demonstrated ability to schedule and facilitate meetings through a variety of online platforms, (e.g. Webex, Zoom and Microsoft Teams).
· Current driver’s license.
Selection Criteria – Desirable
Tertiary qualifications in a health-related field or equivalent experience in suicide prevention and mental health.
Candidates with Lived experience and advocacy are encouraged to apply.
Knowledge of local, state, and national policies and directions for mental health and suicide prevention services.
Experience in working collaboratively with individuals and groups including consumers, carers, local health services, allied health professionals and other stakeholders.
Experience working with a wide range of community members, for example people with a lived experience of suicide, and representatives from priority groups, including LGBTIQ+, Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people, veterans, culturally and linguistically diverse people.
Core Competencies
Managing Change: The ability to demonstrate support for organisational change necessary to improve effectiveness and efficiency as well as proactively helping others to successfully navigate through organisational change.
Customer Orientation: The ability to demonstrate strong customer focused support and stakeholder engagement in all business-related activities.
Analytical Thinking: The ability to clearly analyse a situation and seek out relevant information needed to address issues using a logical, systematic and sequential approach.
Verbal and Written Communication: The ability to communicate appropriately and proficiently across varying audiences and contexts, with demonstrated experience in preparing high-level reports, correspondence and briefings. Teamwork: The ability to contribute and work collaboratively as part of a high performing team.
Initiative: The ability to identify or pre-empt what needs to be done and take appropriate action before being asked or before the situation requires it.
Influencing Others: The ability to confidently negotiate with internal and external stakeholders to influence decision making and achieve desired outcomes
To apply for this job email your details to l.merrison@cesphn.com.au.
