Alcohol and Other Drugs Support Worker (Male)

  • Base/Location:Wellbeing Unit 36-84 Annesley Street Echuca
  • Reports To:Manager of Community Services
  • Hours:Full Time 37.5 hours per week
  • Award:SCHADS Social & Community Services Level 2/2 to 3/4 (Dependent on experience and/or qualifications)
  • Position Scope:

    This position is to support clients to overcome various identified Alcohol & Other Drug issues.  To provide assistance which is based upon a harm minimisation approach involving health promotion, education, referral support, and developing strategic plans for early intervention and prevention.  The AOD Worker will partner with the client in the individual treatment journey and in conjunction with the above methods will provide appropriate flexible support.

Organizational Values

 

Respect Establishing relationships based on respect and trust
Accountability Taking ownership and initiative of Njernda values to ensure trusted collaborations are formed
Resilience Encouraging cultural and spiritual growth to enable personal growth
Advocacy Working to transform the disadvantage and challenge that causes impact on our community
Cultural Sensitivity Welcoming and serving our community with understanding and without judgement

 

This is an “Indigenous Only” role under Special Measures of the EEO Act 2010, Section 12.

 

Key responsibilities

Drug and Alcohol:

  • To identify, asses, treat and support members of the community with an alcohol and drug related illness, including but not limited to:
  • Liaising with staff at ERH regarding mutual clients/patients and treatment plans
  • Assess document and 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 minimisation approach
  • Provide appropriate referral pathways
  • Provide liaison and expert advice to generalist health and welfare agencies to ensure continuity and culturally sensitive case management practices
  • Regularly visit any clients who have been admitted to hospital and participate
  • Advocate on behalf of the patient where appropriate
  • Provide and promote services with a harm minimisation approach that are flexible, accessible, and culturally appropriate to support patients and where appropriate involves the family group
  • Facilitate social support for patients including transport where appropriate
  • To maintain intensive client contact, feedback, and involvement.
  • Counsel with clients and ensure they are referred to other health professionals if required

AOD Outreach:

  • Accompanying, guiding, and supporting the client in learning skills associated with everyday living
  • Assisting the client to find information that enables them to make informed choices.
  • Introducing the client to new opportunities for connecting, learning, and experiencing.
  • Advocating on behalf of the client were appropriate
  • Assisting the client to maintain their treatment
  • Encourage clients to develop living skills personal hygiene and social skills
  • To assist the clients in their physical and emotional needs
  • Encourage contact between clients, their families, and the community
  • Transport to and from rehabilitation and detox facilities

General Duties:

  • Maintain details of all telephone contacts and appointments for reporting purposes maintain detailed case notes in the clients’ files
  • 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 Wellbeing Team leader for direction and support
  • To understand and promote the philosophy of Njernda Aboriginal Corporation

Personal and Professional Development:

  • Continually develop both personally and professionally to meet the changing needs of your position, career, and organisation.
  • Have sound knowledge of relevant organisational policies and procedures as well as program work practices.
  • Attend all relevant training sessions provided by the organisation and be actively involved in other training and development as required.
  • Actively participate in the organisations performance management system

Administration and Documentation:

  • Ensure the development, implementation and maintenance of policies, procedures and work practices the support the efficient operations of the organisation
  • Ensure that all documentation is accurate and completed in a timely manner
  • Input data using relevant data bases daily (Communicare, Info Change)
  • Comply with OH&S and other relevant legislation

Communications and organisation Culture:

  • Act in a professional manner always when dealing with internal and external clients
  • Positively promote the organisation both internally and externally
  • Be prompt to provide courteous service to clients, colleagues and the broader community
  • Maintain confidentiality and all issues relating to the organisation, the clients, and fellow colleagues
  • Treat all clients with respect whilst being responsive to their needs, and promote a culture which prioritises client’s choice at all levels of services delivery
  • Observe and comply with the organisations code of conduct

Teamwork and communication:

  • Be aware of, and practice according to, the organisation’s objectives and values
  • Demonstrate the ability to work positively within the designated program/team to achieve agreed goals for clients
  • Work harmoniously with other team members to ensure that a quality service is being provided to our clients
  • Demonstrate effective communication skills in dealing with clients, visitors, staff etc.

 

Key Selection Criteria

Understanding of and Commitment to Our Aboriginal Community

Experience in:

  • A demonstrated understanding of the issues associated with alcohol and drugs and their effects on the Aboriginal Community.
  • A demonstration appreciation of mental illness, its impact, support needs and recovery strategies
  • An understanding of service provided by the local community mental health network, mainstream health services and mental health services
  • Previous experience providing social or mental health support services in an Aboriginal Community would be an advantage
  • Ability to communicate effectively with people effected by a range of psychiatric conditions
  • Demonstrated skills in case management
  • The ability to maintain high level assessment documents, client records, reports, and case notes
  • Good organisation and time management skills
  • High level accuracy and attention to detail. Strong analytical skills
  • High level of cultural sensitivity and awareness
  • The demonstrated ability to work effectively as a part of a multi skilled team consistent with Njernda values
  • Proven ability to perform duties without direct supervision
  • Knowledge and commitment to occupational health and safety legislation
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills

 

Qualifications And Experience

  • A current Victorian driver’s license
  • Police check and working with children’s check is a requirement of this role
  • Tertiary qualifications in Alcohol and Other Drugs or related discipline
  • Demonstrated experience working with adults and families in the AOD Section (preferred but not essential)

 

Commitment to Safety

All children have the right to be children and live free of abuse and neglect, so they can grow, learn, and develop. Everyone within Njernda is responsible for ensuring a culture of child safety; preventing child abuse and abiding by the Child Safety Principles

 

Other Relevant Information

  • The successful applicant will be required to undergo satisfactory pre-employment checks, including providing at least two professional referees, completion of a medical declaration, Police Records Check, Working with Children Check, Victorian Driver’s License, and proof of identify and qualifications
  • Commitment to equal opportunity and occupational health and safety principles and practices are 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.

 

To be Eligible for an Interview

The Applicant MUST address the Key Selection Criteria and include a recent resume.

 

Address your application marked: “Private & Confidential”

 

To:                 HR Manager

                       Njernda Aboriginal Corporation

                       P.O. Box 21 Echuca Vic 3564

Email            jobs@njernda.com.au

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

All applications close: 30th Jun 2023