Information Pack - Online Support Counsellor

Transcription

1 Are you interested in contributing to a new, innovative and multifaceted online and telephone counselling program for young people affected by cancer? Provide online and telephone counselling to young people Contribute to ongoing development of a newly-launched online mental health platform Convenient city location CanTeen is a national support organisation for year olds who are living with cancer, providing highly regarded specialist support services, research and peer support programs. CanTeen is seeking an online counsellor with the ability to work well with web-based technology to join a newly formed team to assist in the delivery of the Online Support program. This position will be instrumental in contributing to the community management, some technical development and testing, and ongoing service delivery of the new platform. We are seeking a full-time counsellor, available to work 2-3 evening shifts 2pm-10pm, 1-2 daytime shifts 10am-6pm and 1 weekend shift (varying between Saturday and Sunday) from 11am -6pm. Ideally, the candidates will also have some flexibility to swap shifts with other staff and capacity to occasionally work additional shifts for leave cover. The position is a fixed term contract position until December 2016, with the possibility of further extension. The preferred candidate will have demonstrated experience in and ability to engage, support and work with young people, who are the central and crucial element to all aspects of CanTeen. In conjunction, the preferred candidate will be a highly motivated counsellor with passion and confidence in web-based technology and service provision. This role also requires clinical and admin targets to be met in regards to caseloads, number of daily sessions and data entry. While training will be provided in specific software/web applications and internal processes for the service, the preferred candidate should have a strong existing technological skill b ase with a proven capacity to easily learn new applications. This may suit early career counsellors w ith the right passion, skill set and references. Selection Criteria: Essential Relevant tertiary qualifications as a Registered Psychologist (or provisional psychologist close to completing registration), Occupational Therapist, Social Worker or a Registered Nurse (including completion of a new graduate RN program or equivalent 12 months) Registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) and relevant professional bodies such as Australian Psychological Society (APS) and Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) Minimum 2 years experience in the clinical setting and/or counselling service using a number of evidence based interventions (CBT, IPT, ACT, Narrative etc) Experience working with young people and young adults, demonstrated knowledge of youth-informed practice Experience in conducting risk assessments and developing safety plans Demonstrated experience in evidence based assessments and program evaluation Knowledge of child protection legislation and mandatory reporting Demonstrated experience in client management systems, and willingness to engage in testing technology systems for purposes of quality improvement Demonstrated ability to maintain professional administrative responsibilities such as case notes, report writing, data entry, responding to and following up client correspondence 1

2 Experience with working within multi-disciplinary teams, liaising with staff from different departments (internal or external) and communicating with colleagues off site Willingness to participate in supervision (group and individual), team meetings and clinical reviews Demonstrated experience and confidence in using, and the ability to learn web based technology, including: instant messaging services, , chat rooms and social media channels Availability to work specified shifts (2-3 evening shifts 2pm-10pm, 1-2 daytime shifts 10am- 6pm and 1 weekend shift (varying between Saturday and Sunday from 11am-6pm) Excellent written and oral communication skills Strong planning, time management and organisational skills Good administration, reporting and computer skills, especially MS Office Desirable Experience in grief, loss and bereavement counselling Experience in group work and facilitation Experience with a variety of interventions including telephone and online counselling and group work Ability to work autonomously and reliably achieve objectives. Personal Attributes Warm and approachable, ability to listen actively, friendly and professional High level of integrity, honesty and commitment Highly motivated, team player & ability to handle stressful situations Strong attention to detail and good initiative Adaptable to change Able to work autonomously Desire to work for CanTeen, affinity with our Mission, desire to work with young people Please your written applications addressing the above selection criteria along with your resume, to: careers@canteen.org.au by close of business Monday 23 October Employment with CanTeen is subject to the successful completion of a Federal Police check and a Working with Children Check, as legislated in the Commission for Children and Young People Act 1998, for organisations involved in child-related employment. CanTeen is an Equal Opportunity Employer. 2

3 Title: Online Support Counsellor Reports To: Online Support Platform Manager Direct Reports: Nil Key Working Relationships: Online Support Platform Manager, Member Liaison Officers (MLOs), Programs Officers, Division Managers, CanTeen Counsellors, Director of Psychosocial Services, CanTeen Members, other service providers. Job Summary The Online Support Platform is an online and telephone counselling service made possible through funding from the Department of Health and Ageing (DOHA). This funding has enabled CanTeen to custom build a web platform to support CanTeen members and all young people affected by cancer/ consumers to reduce their distress and improve their mental health outcomes, in a digital environment. This position is responsible for the delivery of a multifaceted online and telephone counselling service. Counsellors will engage with CanTeen members individually and in groups through chat, , telephone, e-psycho-educational programs, forums, blogs and other technology as the service develops. This position will also contribute to the development of user, self-directed e-interventions to benefit site users and will be instrumental in identifying trends and community need(s) that can be assisted by tailored professional forum discussions and psycho-educational program development. This position will contribute to the promotion of the service/program to both internal and external stakeholders. Program promotion, particularly with relevant services, treatment centres and other peak bodies will be vital, particularly in the first year of operations. Online Support counsellors are expected to complete a number of administrative tasks, in conjunction with their clinical role, in order to ensure effective service delivery. These tasks include timely case notes and report writing, data entry, administering evaluation measures with young people and providing feedback to the wider CanTeen team. Duties and Responsibilities Provision of online and telephone counselling: You will be responsible for assessing the needs and delivering online counselling through a range of online and telecommunications channels as highlighted in the Job Summary. Service promotion and referral: You will be responsible for the promotion of the Online Support web platform and associated counselling service(s) both within and external to CanTeen. You will liaise with hospital social work teams, wards, oncology staff, outpatient clinics, schools and the wider community to establish and build effective networks. Best Practice: You will keep abreast of new areas of best practice, clinical guidelines, and professional requirements and readily contribute to the team as a whole. You will attend regular professional supervision and attend appropriate courses for professional development as permitted. 3

4 Administration: You will be responsible for the administration needs of the Online Support platform and counselling services(s). You will undertake administrative duties required for the position including maintaining proper client notes and accurate data entry for computer files, client records, records of expenditure and up to date filing. You will also be responsible for monitoring different modes of client correspondence including , web-based mailboxes, voice messages, chat and SMS. Evaluation and quality improvement: As the Online Platform is a new program; you will be responsible for participating in evaluation and testing of web-based systems for the purposes providing feedback for improvement. Team Participation: You will participate in team meetings, team supervision (internal) and program specific professional development. Participation in cross organisational meetings, especially those with a focus on supportive care, informational provision, research and counselling services will be required. There are also optional opportunities to attend 1-2 CanTeen member programs per year to aid in understanding the breadth of CanTeen s services, meeting our consumers and enabling more accurate referral pathways. Service Hours: The Online Support Platform is a 7-day service over extended hours: Mon-Friday 10:00am-10:00pm and Sat-Sun 11:00am-6:00pm. The Online Support Team members will generally have structured hours linked to their positions to cover the times. To enable leave cover, flexibility to cover occasional weekend or out of hours work is required. Position Days & Hours: 1. Specified days with some scheduled evening hours (up to service close at 10pm) and weekend hours Selection Criteria: Essential Relevant tertiary qualifications as a Registered Psychologist (or provisional psychologist close to completing registration), Occupational Therapist, Social Worker or a Registered Nurse (including completion of a new graduate RN program or equivalent 12 mo nths) Registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) and relevant professional bodies such as Australian Psychological Society (APS) and Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) Minimum 2 years experience in the clinical setting and/or counselling service using a number of evidence based interventions (CBT, IPT, ACT, Narrative etc) Experience working with young people and young adults, demonstrated knowledge of youth-informed practice Experience in conducting risk assessments and developing safety plans Demonstrated experience in evidence based assessments and program evaluation Knowledge of child protection legislation and mandatory reporting Demonstrated experience in client management systems, and willingness to engage in testing technology systems for purposes of quality improvement Demonstrated ability to maintain professional administrative responsibilities such as case notes, report writing, data entry, responding to and following up client correspondence Experience with working within multi-disciplinary teams, liaising with staff from different departments (internal or external) and communicating with colleagues off site Willingness to participate in supervision (group and individual), team meetings and clinical reviews Demonstrated experience, confidence using and ability to learn web based technology, including: instant messaging services, , chat rooms and social media channels. Availability to work specified shifts (2-3 evening shifts 2pm-10pm, 1-2 daytime shifts 10am- 6pm and 1 weekend shift (varying between Saturday and Sunday) from 11am -6pm.) 4

5 Excellent written and oral communication skills Strong planning, time management and organisational skills Good administration, reporting and computer skills, especially MS Office Desirable Experience in grief, loss and bereavement counselling Experience in group work and facilitation Experience with a variety of interventions including telephone and online co unselling and group work Ability to work autonomously and reliably achieve objectives. Personal Attributes Warm and approachable, ability to listen actively, friendly and professional High level of integrity, honesty and commitment Highly motivated, team player & ability to handle stressful situations Strong attention to detail and good initiative Adaptable to change Able to work autonomously Desire to work for CanTeen, affinity with our Mission, desire to work with young people General Information All employees are required to adhere to CanTeen s Human Resources Policies during the course of their employment. Pre-employment checks: - As CanTeen s work involves employees being in direct contact with children and young people, employees are required to complete police and working with children checks, relevant to the State in which they will be employed. CanTeen will conduct at least two reference checks on successful applicants, and will also require proof of any professional qualifications stated on an application 5