POSITION DESCRIPTION
1. POSITION SUMMARY
2. OUR ORGANISATION
The Inner South Community Health Service (ISCHS) is a multi-sited community health agency providing a comprehensive range of health and welfare services to the communities of Prahran, St Kilda, South Melbourne and Port Melbourne. Approximately 220 staff work in multi-disciplinary teams to deliver programs and services across four key service locations: SouthPort (in Coventry Street, South Melbourne); Inkerman Street, St Kilda; Mitford Street, St Kilda; Malvern Road, Prahran.
Our programs include:
· Dental Program;
· Health Innovations Partnerships Program;
· Aged Health and Rehabilitation Program;
- Indigenous Access and Equity Program;
· Community, Youth and Family Health Program and;
· Service Support and Development Program
The ISCHS has a commitment to continuous quality improvement and has a reputation for innovation and excellence in its service delivery. The Service values collaboration and works effectively as part of the local service system and prides itself on developing innovative, responsive services to meet community needs.
2.1 Mission
Inner South Community Health Service is committed to deliver innovative, responsive and targeted health services and to take a leadership role in advocacy, evaluation and policy development. We strive to ensure access and linkage to services for those in the community who may not readily access mainstream services and to make an impact on the health of marginalized people.
2.2 Values
We value:
· Active client and community participation in service development and delivery
· Innovative, quality services that are client focused, responsive and outcome oriented
· Services that address issues of access and equity
· Proactive and responsive service delivery to marginalised groups within our communities
· Our staff and an environment where skills are developed and encouraged
· A continuous learning culture
· The provision of a safe and supportive environment for staff, service users and visitors
· Good governance, ethical management and transparency in decision making
· Fostering partnerships, which achieve the best outcomes for our communities.
For more information on our organization please visit our website www.ischs.org.au.
3 POSITION DETAILS
3.1 Position objective
The Drug and Alcohol Counsellor is responsible for the provision of specialist drug and alcohol counselling and therapy services, consulting and training on an outreach basis with some limited centre based activities.
3.2 Position Context
The Health Innovations Partnerships Program is a dynamic multi disciplinary Program which comprises approximately fifty staff and five Coordinators. The Program provides the following key outreach and centre-based services:
· Drop-in service / Information and Referral
· Health promotion and health education
· Advocacy, counselling and support
· Mobile Health Outreach Service
· Mobile Overdose Response Service
· Case Management
· Psychiatric disability, rehabilitation and support services
· Housing Support Program
· Supported Accommodation Assistance Program (SAAP)
· Hustling to Health (H2H)
· Arrest Referral
· Community Connections Program
· SRS Outreach
· GP Innovations
· Resourcing Health Education in the sex industry (RhED)
· Drug & Alcohol Services
Applying the social model of health, HIPP provides responsive and comprehensive primary and social health services to its targeted client group of homeless people, people who inject drugs, sex workers and people with mental health issues. These often-marginalized clients face multiple barriers to participation in the community. Their needs are such that they are often unable to negotiate the complex pathways to health, welfare and sexual assault services. HIPP provides and partners with agencies, to provide services that address the wide range of client need(s). It brings together resources and workers who are committed to providing creative, responsive, effective and diverse services to protect and promote the health and well being of individuals and the community. HIPP is client focused and demonstrates an enduring commitment to consumers.
3.3 Key Responsibilities
Program Participation
· To provide an assessment, counselling, case management and group therapy service to a continuum of clients with straightforward through to more complex alcohol and drug problems.
· To provide client services in a range of clinical and outreach settings, which may include ISCHS centres, the Health Outreach Bus, private hotels, client homes, community residential settings and others as required.
· To provide specialist consultation and training on alcohol and drug issues to staff from internal and external agencies including proprietors of private hotels/community residential services.
· To participate in the development of community programs/projects in co-operation with other community groups that address identified health needs.
· To maintain accurate client and program records and produce statistical and qualitative reports as required.
· To participate in case review meetings.
Program and Service Development
· To continue the development of the outreach counselling and therapy service in conjunction with other local health and welfare agencies so as to be part of an efficient, coordinated network of health services for illicit drug users
· To provide secondary consultation to alcohol and drug agencies in the development of appropriate case management strategies for clients with alcohol and drug issues in the Inner South East.
· To participate in planning and policy development for alcohol and drug services
Professional Development
· To attend and contribute to staff development and supervision programs, and to attend relevant courses when appropriate.
· To participate in peer review/practice review.
Administrative
· To attend all relevant Centre meetings.
· To ensure the efficient day to day operation of the assertive outreach counselling service
· To maintain effective monitoring systems, records, and data to advise the Clinical & Educational Coordinator, Health Innovations Program on emerging trends, program issues, annual and quarterly monitoring reports and service agreements.
· To accurately complete timesheets and statistics on a routine basis.
General
· To participate in the ongoing planning, evaluation and development of the Health Innovations Program.
· To adhere to ISCHS policies and procedures.
· To receive appropriate training about the Needle & Syringe Program (NSP) and participate in the NSP as required.
· To participate in quality assurance activities as required.
· To undertake active and meaningful community participation and engagement
· Other duties as required by the Manager of the Program.
3.4 REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS
· The Drug & Alcohol Counsellor reports directly to the Drug & Alcohol Program Co-ordinator – HIPP.
4. KEY SELECTION CRITERIA
Mandatory
1. Relevant tertiary qualifications in health or allied health (social work/psychology) services.
2. Knowledge of principles of prevention and harm minimisation as these relate to illicit drug use.
3. Working knowledge of the national and state level HIV and Hepatitis C strategies.
4. Demonstrated knowledge of the drug and alcohol service system and the range of treatment options available.
5. Demonstrated knowledge of the ‘brokerage’ and drug diversion system as it exists in Victoria.
6. Demonstrated skills and experience in providing case management, counselling and therapy to people with complex drug related issues.
7. Extensive experience in-group facilitation.
8. Sound skills in policy development, planning, monitoring and evaluating human service programs.
9. Ability to identify trends and develop appropriate resources or campaigns to respond to these trends.
10. Well developed interpersonal and communication skills.
11. Well-developed computer skills.
12. Ability to implement new policy initiatives in a community setting.
13. Sound analytical and report writing skills.
14. Demonstrated ability to work as a member of a multi-disciplinary team.
15. Sound understanding of, and commitment to the philosophy of the Social Model of Health.
Desirable
1. Ability to speak a relevant community language other than English.
2. Current driver's license.
5. CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT
Award
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Social & Community Services (SACS) Award |
Salary Level
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Social Worker Class 3
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Salary packaging |
For further information please refer to Salary Packaging information below
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Hours per week
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1.0 EFT negotiable |
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Duration
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Ongoing dependent on funding
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Probationary Period
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This position is subject to a probationary period of three months, in accordance with ISCHS Recruitment Policy.
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Location |
St Kilda, Mitford Street
From time to time the incumbent may be requested to work from or be based at other ISCHS centres.
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Accountability |
To the Board of Management via the Chief Executive Officer |
Salary Packaging information:
- Salary packaging is a legitimate method of restructuring existing salary into a combination of salary and expense payment benefits in order to provide a higher net remuneration for the employee.
- This offer applies while Inner South Community Health Service continues to be granted "public benevolent institution" status and enjoys exemption from the provisions of the Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT). Should our status change salary packaging will no longer be available.
- It is not compulsory for employees to take up the offer to ‘package’ their salary; however the benefits from packaging are considerable. There is a small cost to the employee.
- Salary packaging is not available for casual or locum employees.
Meals Entertainment Information:
· Meal entertainment is also available at ISCHS. It is of great benefit to staff as it is a tax free benefit in addition to the $16,050 that you can claim through Salary Packaging. ISCHS staff are able to claim up to $5000 p.a. worth of FBT exempt meal entertainment expenses on top of their existing packaging.
PLEASE NOTE: There is potential that Community Health may loose its current PBI Status, which will affect Salary Packaging and Meals Entertainment benefits. Community Health Agencies are responding to this potential loss as a sector and are hopeful that we will be able to maintain our Salary Packaging and Meals Entertainment Entitlements.
6. APPLICATION PROCESS
Written applications addressing the selection criteria and including a resume and the names of three professional referees should be forwarded to Virginia Alexander, Recruitment Coordinator, at:
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Postal Address
Inner South Community Health Service
P.O. Box 103
South Melbourne Vic 3205
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Email
recruit@ischs.org.au
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Facsimile
9696 7228 |
Closing Date:
Applications must be received by Friday 15th August, 2008 at 5pm
Further enquiries related to the position can be directed to:
Additional notes to applicants
· Selection will be based on how well applicants meet the selection criteria; therefore it is essential that applicants specifically address all the selection criteria.
· A satisfactory police check will be required of the successful applicant.
· The Inner South Community Health Service is committed to protecting your privacy according to the National Privacy Principles (NPPs). The ISCHS has a Privacy Statement and a Collection Statement, both of which are available on request to all applicants (if you require a copy, please contact Virginia Alexander on 9684 4214).
· Pre-Existing Injury
Prior to any person being appointed to this position it will be required that they disclose full details of any pre-existing injuries or disease that might be affected by employment in this position