Senior AOD Clinician - Counselling & Assessment POSCS3029

Transcription

1 POSITION DESCRIPTION Senior AOD Clinician - Counselling & Assessment POSCS3029 ISO9001 Approved by Neos Zavrou Next Revision: 02/09/15 Hours: Location: Classification: Reports To: Reports: 1 EFT Northern Catchment Hub, 273 Settlement Rd, Thomastown OH4 Counselling Coordinator (Uniting Care ReGen) n/a POSITION OVERVIEW This position functions within the catchment as part of a consistent response across the North and West catchments to clients requiring Alcohol and Drug (AOD) treatment and support. The Senior AOD Clinician works in coordination with AOD service streams (Intake & Assessment, Counselling, Care Coordination, Non Residential and Residential Withdrawal, Residential Rehabilitation and Youth and Family services) and with related sectors, to provide an integrated service. The purpose of this position is to reduce AOD related harms to individuals and their families by conducting assessments and providing a range of counselling interventions to assist clients and their family members to change harmful behaviours and increase their capacity to effectively manage the problems they are experiencing associated with AOD use and promote recovery. Ultimately this role will assist in the provision of skills to prevent relapse and support the acquisition of knowledge, skills and motivation to initiate change and maintain it over the long term and improve quality of life. This position plays a critical role in the provision of effective AOD treatment through comprehensive assessments and counselling including linking clients and their families to other appropriate service types and supporting the provision of holistic, wrap-around services, according to the complexity of client and family needs within a recovery focused framework. Additionally, the Senior AOD Counsellor plays an active in providing leadership, supervision and guidance to other clinical staff. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES Provision of treatment services Provide high quality engagement, assessment, treatment and support services to individuals and their families, via evidence based, therapeutic counselling and group work using best practice principles including Family Inclusive Practice and Dual Diagnosis principles. Conduct comprehensive assessments including: o Ascertaining information on substance abuse, history, mental health and risk o Determining if a client is of standard or complex nature o Utilising the assessment tool o Arrange further assessments and secondary consults if required o Presenting assessments at daily clinical review, making recommendations on risk, priority and treatment plans. Contribute effectively to Clinical Review Develop treatment plans and provide effective counselling interventions to meet the individual needs of clients, including those with complex needs, and their families. These interventions may include assisting clients to: o Identify their substance use triggers and high risk situations o Develop practical skills such as problem solving, goal setting and assertive communication. o Access a range of community services and supports to promote recovery Page 1 of 5

2 o o Develop insight into their thinking and behaviour in order to help them make and sustain positive changes Understand the relationship between their substance use and other areas of their lives, such as mental and physical health, relationships and lifestyles Provide information, education and practical assistance to clients to help them to reduce the harms of their substance use to themselves and those around them. Ensure that clients have exit and post treatment support plans in place. Provide assertive referrals e.g. financial counselling/literacy, nutrition and life skills training and other health initiatives to support client recovery where needed. Build strong and effective relationships with clients and their families, creating positive expectations and confidence in treatment. Provide/facilitate/source interim support for clients awaiting the commencement of counselling services. Follow up standard clients at 3 and 12 months post treatment to track progress of recovery and support re-engagement with AOD treatment services or other supports, where appropriate. Source and facilitate access to support networks, aftercare and self-help groups and community activities, and assist clients to build these networks Provide and facilitate a range of support and intervention programs for families and carers, including engaging them in individual AOD treatment. Consider the needs of and identify any risks to vulnerable children, working with families to develop safety plans and facilitating referrals to partner Child First and Family service agents when indicated. Provide back up support to Triage when required. Professional liaison and consultation Co-ordinate with Care and Recovery and Clinical Review processes to support seamless transitions between service types and a consistent approach to supporting the achievement of clients recovery goals. Liaise and consult with other services to develop and support the provision of recovery and harm reduction orientated treatment that aligns with the client s individual treatment plan. In consultation with clinical review processes and other engaged services provide support and ongoing review of individual treatment plans. Establish and maintain collaborative and productive working relationships with current and potential stakeholders and partners, both internally and externally. Participate in team planning, steering groups, reference groups and working parties inside and outside the agency as appropriate. Act as a representative of our organisation at inter-agency meetings, public forums etc as required. Maintain regular communication and feedback with the supervisor and catchment manager. Supervision and professional development Actively participate in ongoing professional development via the annual performance reviews, individual and group supervision and by attending relevant training as required. Provide clinical supervision to less experience clinicians. Provide clinical leadership and consultation to staff. Page 2 of 5

3 Support the student placement program and supervise students as requested. Administration Maintain up-to-date progress notes, case files and data entry in a confidential manner. Actively participate in the revision and development of policies, clinical guidelines and treatment programs. Adhere to site specific policies and procedures where applicable. Contribute to the achievement of quality improvement, both in terms of individual and program performance by encouraging an environment where high quality work is achieved and supported by the adherence to/development of quality systems documentation Adhere to and keep informed of all relevant legislative compliance requirements, and report any perceived breaches, risks, hazards, incidents and complaints to line Manager or other appropriate person. Undertake other duties as directed by the supervisor and Catchment Manager. Behaviours and Attitudes Whilst executing the key responsibilities you are expected to demonstrate the following attitudes and behaviours: Understanding of the philosophy of harm minimisation. Teamwork & Collaboration: Work effectively with team members and work groups to accomplish organisational and team goals; respect the needs and contribution of others. Innovation: Generate creative solutions, be proactive and a self-starter, seize opportunities and act upon them, to achieve better outcomes for our agency, clients and stakeholders. Creativity and Flexibility: Be adaptable, receptive to new ideas, respond and adjust easily to changing work demands and circumstances. Life-long learning: Recognise that ongoing professional development and skill enhancement is necessary in order to contribute to the growth of knowledge within the agency. Leadership: Be solution focused and, proactive. Work collaboratively with others and recognise, acknowledge and nurture their abilities. Communication: Effectively express ideas in individual and group situations, adjusting language or terminology to the needs of the audience. Health & Safety: Carry out tasks with an awareness of Health and Safety concerning self, others and their environment. KEY SELECTION CRITERIA Qualifications Relevant health and or welfare Tertiary Qualification such as Social Work, Psychology, Nursing or Allied Health Sciences Certificate IV in AOD or have completed the required competencies (or able to complete within the first 12 months of employment). Competencies in dual diagnosis (or able to complete within the first 24 months of employment). Note: refer to appendix A for details on competencies Page 3 of 5

4 Skills and Experience Extensive experience in the provision of assessment and counselling services preferably with AOD or dual diagnosis clients. Significant experience in therapeutic approaches such as: Motivational Enhancement Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Coping Skills Training, Family Inclusive Practice, self-help groups, Community Reinforcement Approaches. Previous experience in a Senior Counsellor role and ability to provide leadership and supervision to others. Proven ability to effectively work with people and families experiencing problematic alcohol and other drugs use in a respectful, compassionate and positive manner. Demonstrated understanding of community-based interventions for reducing alcohol and drug related harm. Proven ability to work with a range of people and organisations (including specific work groups such as Aboriginal, CALD and Forensic clients). A demonstrated commitment to teamwork and the ability to take appropriate individual and team responsibility for the welfare of clients. Ability to convey warmth, openness, empathy and concern for the welfare of clients. Collaborate effectively with clients, families, colleagues, stakeholders and other service providers. Current Driver s License. EMPLOYMENT CONDITIONS AND REQUIREMENTS OHV has its own comprehensive set of employment conditions that are based on the Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Industry Award. To be employed in this position a person must: Be prepared to travel within the catchment to meet the requirements of the job and to work out of different partnership locations. Be prepared and able to work outside normal business hours on a negotiated basis. Undergo a police check and a Working with Children Check. Offers of employment are subject to the results of these checks. Remain current in their First Aid and CPR knowledge. Familiarise themselves with, and observe, all OHV business, community, therapeutic and human resources policies, procedures and practices. Follow OHV s codes of employee conduct, promote the interests and reputation of the agency and refrain from acting in way that would conflict with the best interests of OHV. ORGANISATION PROFILE Odyssey House Victoria (OHV) is a not-for-profit agency that has been providing high quality residential and non-residential drug and alcohol treatment services to clients and their families for over thirty years. OHV provides community services for those whose lives have been affected by alcohol and other drugs and is partnering with Uniting Care ReGen to deliver integrated, person-centred and evidence-based treatment services as part of the Victorian AOD sector reforms. Page 4 of 5

5 *Appendix A AOD and Dual Diagnosis Competencies Odyssey House will support staff to achieve the following competencies. The competencies required in the first 12 months are; CHCAOD402B: Work effectively in the alcohol and other drugs sector CHCAOD406E: Work with clients who are intoxicated CHCAOD408B: Assess the needs of clients with alcohol and/or other drug issues CHCMH401A: Work effectively in mental health settings CHCCS521: Assess and respond to individuals at risk of suicide The competencies required in the first months are; CCHCMH504E: Provide a range of services to people with mental health issues CHCAOD510B: Work effectively with clients with complex alcohol and other drug issues CHCAOD511C: Provide advanced interventions to meet the needs of clients with alcohol and/or other drug issues Page 5 of 5