Metro South Health Service District

Job ad reference: H09MSM11343

Role title: Consumer Consultant
Status: Permanent Part Time (40 hours per fortnight)
Unit/Branch: Browns Plains Adult Mental Health
Division/District: Mental Health Services
Metro South Health Service District
Location: Browns Plains
Classification level: AO5
Salary level: $35.40 - $37.55 per hour
Closing date: Monday, 14 December 2009
(Applications will remain current for 12 months)
Contact: Julie Gotts
Telephone: (07) 3290 8999
Online applications: www.health.qld.gov.au/workforus or www.smartjobs.qld.gov.au
Fax application: (07) 3121 1498
Post application: Recruitment Services (Mt Gravatt)
Queensland Health Shared Service Partner
P.O. BOX 2221, MANSFIELD BC QLD 4122
Deliver application: Nexus Building, 96 Mt Gravatt – Capalaba Road
UPPER MT GRAVATT QLD 4122

About our organisation

Queensland Health’s mission is ‘creating dependable health care and better health for all
Queenslanders’. Within the context of this organisation, there are four core values that guide our
behaviour:
• Caring for People: Demonstrating commitment and consideration for people in the way we
work.
• Leadership: We all have a role to play in leadership by communicating a vision, taking
responsibility and building trust among colleagues.
• Respect: Showing due regard for the feelings and rights of others.
• Integrity: Using official positions and power properly.

Purpose of role
The Consumer Consultant will promote and give guidance to the development and ongoing
management of consumer participation and provide ‘systems advocacy’ in relation to consumer
related issues.

The key purpose of this position is:

• To enable consumer perspectives to be included in all aspects of mental health service
planning, delivery and evaluation.
• To assist in the improvement of the mental health service’s response to consumer needs.
• To communicate the broad views of consumers to mental health services and other relevant
services.

These roles are supported under the Queensland Health Mental Health Plan and the National
Standards Mental Health Services.

Staffing and budget responsibilities

This position reports to the Executive Manager, Logan Beaudesert Mental Health.
Key accountabilities

To find out more about Queensland Health, visit www.health.qld.gov.au

 • Fulfil the accountabilities of this role in accordance with Queensland Health’s core values,
as outlined above.
• Actively promote a consumer focused recovery model of service delivery with consumers,
carers and community as partners of care.
• Develop and maintain effective relationships and network with consumer/carer groups and
community organisations that provide support services.
• Promote recovery model of care by actively participating in education and training of
consumers, carers and Mental Health Professionals.
• Develop and maintain effective consumer participation in mental health service planning
and delivery through a range of activities and forums.
• Network and consult with relevant National and State peak bodies, consumer organisations
and the local Consumer Advisory Group, which inform strategic planning and maintain current
knowledge of consumer and carer participation.
• Actively investigate and identify areas of improvement to service policy, procedures and
protocols from a Mental Health consumer’s perspective.
• Provide support, feedback and maintain a close liaison with relevant consumer and carer
groups.
• Participate in the recruitment of Mental Health Professionals as requested.
• Develop monthly reports on the consumer activities and participate in the data collection
requirement of Queensland Health and in the evaluation of programs.
• Participate in professional development, supervision and in the performance appraisal and
development process.
• Perform duties within the legislative requirements of the Human Resource Management
practices and principles, including the Queensland Health Code of Conduct Guidelines,
Selection and Recruitment guidelines and principles, Equal Employment Opportunity
Legislation, Workplace Health and Safety requirements and the Anti-Discrimination Act.

Qualifications/Professional registration/other requirements

• Personal ‘lived experience’, knowledge and understanding of mental illness as a consumer of
mental health services.
• There are no formal tertiary qualifications required for this position.
• Possess a current QLD Driver’s Licence “C” classification.
• Highly desirable: Prior experience in a consumer liaison role and/or involvement in service
planning, delivery and evaluation would be an advantage.

Key skill requirements/competencies

• Promote and assist with the development and management of a ‘Recovery approach’.
Advocating consumer focused service delivery.
• Identify, represent and advocate for consumer related issues at all levels of service delivery.
• Network with consumer and carer organisations at local, state and national level.
• Develop new consumer initiative and projects
• Develop and facilitate effective consumer participation in Mental Health Service planning
and delivery though a range of activities and forums.
• High level of communication skills and ability to develop reports for the mental health
executive.
• Work as a member of the multidisciplinary team and consult with and represent at all levels
of service delivery and across consumer, carer and community groups.
• Knowledge of or the ability to acquire knowledge of National Standards, National and State
Mental Health Plans and policies and the District philosophy.

To find out more about Queensland Health, visit www.health.qld.gov.au

How to apply
Please provide the following information for the panel to assess your suitability:
• A short response (maximum 1–2 pages) on how your experience, abilities, knowledge and
personal qualities would enable you to achieve the key accountabilities and meet the key skill
requirements.
• Your current CV or resume, including referees. Referees should have a thorough knowledge
of your work performance and conduct, and it is preferable to include your current/immediate
past supervisor. By providing the names and contact details of your referee/s, you consent for
these people to be contacted by the selection panel. If you do not wish for a referee to be
contacted, please indicate this on your resume and contact the selection panel chair to discuss.
• Application form (only required if not applying online).

About the Health Service District/Area/Division/Branch/Unit

Metro South Health Service District is situated in the South-East corner of Queensland from the
Brisbane River in the north to the Redland City Council in the east, and to the Scenic Rim Shire down
to the border of New South Wales in the south-west. This district does not include the Mater
Hospitals.

Clinical services provided within the Metro South Health Service District include:
• Princess Alexandra Hospital
• Logan Hospital
• Beaudesert Hospital
• QEII Hospital
• Redland Hospital
• Wynnum Hospital
• Moreton Bay Nursing Care Unit
• Redland Residential Care
• Redland Renal Dialysis Unit
• Casuarina Lodge
• Marie Rose Centre (Dunwich)
• Community Health Services
• Oral Health Services
• Mental Health Services
• Medical Aids Subsidy Scheme
• Health Contact Centre

Additional information on the District is available on QHEPS site via www.health.qld.gov.au

Pre-Employment screening
Pre-employment screening, including a criminal history check, may be undertaken on persons
recommended for employment. Please refer to the Information Package for Applicants for details of
employment screening and other employment requirements.

To find out more about Queensland Health, visit www.health.qld.gov.au