Job description
About the role
Hepatitis NSW are looking to expand our growing peer-implemented hepatitis C testing project EMPOWER by recruiting more people with lived experience of hep C to join the team and become community testing peer workers.
This EMPOWER Study is one of the first in the world where peer workers (people with lived experience of hepatitis C) engage, enrol, and provide rapid testing to people at risk of or living with hep C themselves. This is conducted as part of a highly-regarded research study and is in partnership with nurses and healthcare providers from NSW Health.
As part of a team, your role will be to engage with community members, enrol them into the research study, and conduct simple finger prick testing. Extensive, paid training will be provided for all of this so no previous experience is required. You will work closely with the Program Officer – Community Testing and Treatment, a team of fellow peer workers, other Hepatitis NSW staff, and healthcare partners to help deliver this community testing program.
Hepatitis NSW’s peer workers aim to make it as simple, quick, and as barrier-free for people living with or at-risk of hepatitis C to access appropriate healthcare in the places they’re already at. Our peer workforce are experts on living with hepatitis C and your lived experience and passion will shape your delivery of the project.
The role will require work around the Sydney Metro area with possible extension into regional areas of NSW in the future. The role requires light physical demands such as transporting resources. A NSW driver’s licence is a bonus but not a requirement.
Extensive training, support, and orientation will be provided before joining the program. Peer workers always work as part of a supportive team and are not expected to deliver this project on their own.
This role is casual, paid hourly, and the work is irregular. Outreach engagements are usually 3-6 hours long and happen no more than once per week for the EMPOWER project. It is worth mentioning that we have two other programs for people with lived experience that this program may provide pathways into.
What we are looking for
These are the experience, attitudes, and areas of knowledge we are looking for:
- Lived experience of hepatitis C and treatment, either via Direct Acting Antiviral pills or Interferon injections.
- Effective written and oral communication skills.
- Ability to learn and confidently use computer programs and phone apps.
- Knowledge of the key health, legal, and other issues for people with lived experience of hepatitis C.
- Skill in working with and responding to the needs of community members from a wide range of social, cultural, linguistic, and economic backgrounds.
- Experience or willingness to work in challenging environments and demonstrated ability to work with a non-judgmental attitude towards people of all genders, ethnicities, cultures, religions, and backgrounds.
- Ability to form and maintain strong external relationships with our external healthcare partners.
About hepatitis nsw
Hepatitis NSW is a health promotion charity founded by the hepatitis community that works to educate, support, and inform around hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and liver health. We’re the peak body for hepatitis B and C in NSW and work across the state. There are currently 19 office-based staff members, approximately 35 casual staff (including more than 20 peer workers), and a number of volunteers. You can learn more about us and what we do at www.hep.org.au.
Hepatitis NSW has decades of experience working with and for its community to deliver high-quality programs and projects that meet the health and wellbeing needs of those affected by hepatitis B and C. We are known for the quality of our programs, the strength of our external relationships, and the community focus we bring to the hepatitis B and C responses in NSW.
Hepatitis NSW has been a leader in hepatitis C peer programs for many years and our peer workers are highly regarded across NSW and Australia.
HOw to apply
To apply for this role, please click ‘Apply Now’ below and fill in the application form. We won’t ask for your resume or a cover letter. We’ll get back to you to discuss a short and informal interview for the role in July.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Please download the attached job pack for more detail about the role and our organisation.
For more information about this role, if you need any clarification, or if you’d simply like to chat about the position, please contact:
Kyle Leadbeatter, Program Manager – Priority Populations and Settings 02 8217 7707 – [email protected] or Pippa Bray, Program Officer, [email protected] using the subject line: Hepatitis C Community Testing Peer Worker enquiry via EthicalJobs.