Drug and Alcohol Outreach Worker

Base/Location:Njernda Medical Centre
Reports To:Medical Manager
Hours:Full Time 37.5hrs per Week
Position Scope:
This position is to provide activities targeted to the Aboriginal Community in the Northern region. This will involve counselling, referral and support services for Aboriginal people (youth and adult) who have alcohol and / or drug related problems. The role is to develop appropriate health promotion, education and to also provide information provision and to facilitate harm minimization concepts.

Organisational Values:

Professional Integrity – We treat all our people with dignity and respect.
Quality – We always strive to do our best and improve the way we do things.
Responsibility – We commit to the actions we take to achieve the best possible outcome for our clients.
Client Focus – We work toward improving the health and wellbeing of our clients and community.

Key Responsibilities:

Drug and Alcohol

To identify, assess, treat and support members of the community with an alcohol and drug related illness, including but not limited to:
➢ Liaising with staff at VAHS about people with an alcohol and drug related illness.
➢ Assess and document the patient’s continuing needs in relation to alcohol and drug counselling and support services.
➢ Develop an individual treatment plan with each patient and their family that promotes recovery with a harm minimization approach.
Promote flexible accessible referrals and where appropriate refer patients to agencies for further assessment and treatment.
Provide liaison and expert advice to generalist health and welfare agencies to ensue continuity and culturally sensitive case management practices.
Regularly visit a patient admitted to a hospital and participate in the hospital decision making regarding treatment, care and discharge planning.
Advocate on behalf of the patient where appropriate.
Provide and promote services with a harm minimization approach that are flexible, accessible and culturally appropriate to support patients and where appropriate involve the family group.
Facilitate social support for patients including transport where appropriate.

Home Based Outreach Program

Accompanying, guiding and supporting the client in learning skills associated with everyday living, eg / shopping, cooking and budgeting
Assisting the client to find information that enables him / her to make informed choices eg/ transport routes, social activities
Introducing the client to new opportunities for connecting, learning and experiencing, for example, going with the client to a new day program, helping the client to apply for and attend school or college, accompanying the client to a sports venue
Advocating on behalf of the client were appropriate, eg/ negotiating benefits, gaining access to services
Assisting the client to maintain their treatment, eg/reporting symptom changes to the case manager, accompanying the client to medical appointments
Encouraging clients to develop living skills personal hygiene and social skills
To assist the clients in their physical and emotional needs
Encouraging contact between clients, their families and the community

Working alongside Family Program’s case managers and clinicians

Attending case planning and review meetings regarding clients.
Maintain notes on activities and achievements with each client and contributes entries to the client’s case file.
To gather and record all other information required and / or sought by the Family Program Manager for the purposes of accountability.

Baroona
The Njernda Drug & Alcohol Outreach Worker will assist Baroona Youth Healing Service in promoting and maximizing the health and wellbeing of young men entering Baroona Youth Healing Service that are affected by alcohol and other drug related harms by providing a range of interventions supports that are culturally appropriate to the needs of individuals. This will include: –

Counselling.
Goal setting, treatment planning, including implementation of Individual Treatment Plans, referrals and client follow up.
Discharge planning.
Case management.
Attend and actively participate in regular client review meetings to represent case management/coordination of needs for clients and family.

General Duties

Maintain details of all telephone contacts and appointments for reporting purposes.
Maintain detailed case notes in the client’s file.
Liaise with Aboriginal Community agencies and other agencies in relation to advice and resources for people with alcohol and drug abuse issues.
Develop appropriate health promotion strategies to provide information to the Aboriginal Community.
To attend regular supervision sessions with the Medical Manager for direction and support.
To understand and promote the philosophy of Njernda Aboriginal Corporation.
Undertake other duties, which are incidental and peripheral to the main tasks, provided that such duties are reasonable within the employee’s competence and training.

Key selection criteria:

Understanding of and Commitment to the Aboriginal community.

Experience in:

A demonstrated understanding of the issues associated with alcohol and drugs and their effects on the Aboriginal Community.
A demonstrated appreciation of mental illness, its impact, support needs and recovery strategies.
An understanding of services provided by the local community mental health network, mainstream health services and mental health services.
A demonstrated ability to conduct effective counselling with the capacity to develop individual treatment plans and provide appropriate continuing support.
Previous experience work in the field of drug and alcohol counselling. Education, advocacy and support would be an advantage.
Previous experience providing social or mental health support services in and Aboriginal Community would be an advantage.
Ability to communicate effectively with people affected by a range of psychiatric conditions.
Demonstrated skills in case management.
Good organization and time management skills.
The demonstrated ability to work effectively as part of a multi skilled team.
Proven ability to perform duties without direct supervision.
Knowledge and commitment to occupational health & safety legislation.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Qualifications and experience:

A current Victorian Drivers Licence.
Police check and Working with Children check is a requirement of this role.

Other relevant information:

Appointment is subject to a satisfactory police check.
Commitment to equal opportunity and occupational health and safety principles and practices is required.
You will need to disclose any pre-existing illness or injury you know about which could be affected by the described work duties. Under section 82 (7) of the Accident Compensation Act, failure to disclose such a pre-existing illness or injury will mean that, if employed, you will not be paid compensation for that condition.
Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award 2010.
Community Development Worker Class 2A.
Remuneration will be in accordance with industry standards.
Performance KPIS will be set on commencement with a review conducted annually.
Salary packaging benefits are available.
Njernda Aboriginal Corporation enforces a smoke free environment.

All applications close: 26th Aug 2019

To be eligible for an interview applicant MUST address the Key Selection Criteria and include a recent resume.

Written applications should include a covering letter. Please include the names and telephone contacts of at least two referees.

Address your application marked: “Private & Confidential”

To:		HR Manager
		Njernda Aboriginal Corporation
		84 Hare Street,
		(PO Box 201)
		Echuca Vic 3564

Email:		jobs@njernda.com.au

Please check the closing date to ensure your application is received within the specified time. Applications may be posted, emailed, hand delivered or faxed (provided that a hard copy is posted on the same day).

Applications may be posted, emailed, hand delivered or faxed (provided that a hard copy is posted on the same day).