AOD Clinician

Exodus Foundation; Sydney; On-site; AUD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Not-for-Profit salary packaging up to

Employee Assistance Program

Health and wellbeing benefits

Job summary

Exodus Foundation is seeking an experienced Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD) Clinician to assess, counsel, and coordinate recovery-focused support for clients facing complex challenges in a frontline, hub-based role in Sydney.

You will work within a recovery-oriented framework, providing individual therapy and coordinating care with health, welfare, and community services to assist clients in identifying personal recovery goals.

Qualifications

• Requires relevant AOD sector experience and counselling/therapeutic skills.
• Experience delivering case management and coordinated care for clients with complex needs.
• Knowledge of evidence-based AOD interventions, harm minimisation and recovery-oriented practice.

Responsibilities

• Conduct comprehensive, person-centred AOD assessments including risk assessment.
• Provide individual counselling and therapeutic support to people with AOD concerns.
• Develop collaborative Individual Recovery Plans and treatment plans tailored to each client.
• Deliver evidence-based AOD interventions and motivational interviewing.
• Facilitate SMART Recovery groups and other therapeutic AOD programs.
• Provide case management and care coordination for clients with complex needs.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams for coordinated, holistic care.
• Facilitate referrals to AOD treatment, mental health, welfare and housing services.

Skills

AOD knowledge

Counselling

Case management

Trauma-informed practice

Group facilitation

Communication skills

Education

Tertiary qualification in Social Work / Psychology / Counselling / Community Services

Certificate IV in Alcohol and Other Drugs / Mental Health competencies

Job description

The Rev. Bill Crews Foundation ('BCF') is one of Sydney’s most trusted frontline charities and has supported people experiencing homelessness, poverty and disadvantage for nearly 40 years.

Guided by our mission, 'The person in front of us', we provide integrated support across social welfare, healthcare, food services, education and community programs.

Our Social Health & Wellbeing ('SHW') team supports people experiencing a range of complex circumstances through crisis support, case management, referrals and coordinated care.

About us

The Rev. Bill Crews Foundation ('BCF') is one of Sydney’s most trusted frontline charities and has supported people experiencing homelessness, poverty and disadvantage for nearly 40 years.

Guided by our mission, 'The person in front of us', we provide integrated support across social welfare, healthcare, food services, education and community programs.

Our Social Health & Wellbeing ('SHW') team supports people experiencing a range of complex circumstances through crisis support, case management, referrals and coordinated care.

THE ROLE

We are looking for an experienced and compassionate Alcohol and Other Drugs ('AOD') Clinician to provide assessment, counselling, case management and recovery-focused support to people experiencing problematic alcohol and other drug use.

Working within a recovery-oriented, harm minimisation and trauma-informed framework, you will support clients to identify their individual goals and develop practical pathways towards improved health, wellbeing and recovery.

This is a hands-on frontline role where you will work directly with clients who may be experiencing AOD dependence alongside homelessness, mental health concerns, social disadvantage and other complex support needs.

You will provide individual therapeutic support and coordinated care while also facilitating SMART Recovery and contributing to other therapeutic AOD and dual diagnosis groups.

The role is primarily hub-based however there may also be opportunities to participate in outreach and work collaboratively with external health, mental health, welfare and community services.

WHAT YOU'LL DO

• Conduct comprehensive, person-centred AOD assessments including appropriate risk assessment
• Provide individual counselling and therapeutic support to people experiencing problematic alcohol and other drug use
• Develop collaborative Individual Recovery Plans and treatment plans based on each client's circumstances, needs and recovery goals
• Deliver evidence-based AOD interventions including harm minimisation, motivational interviewing, relapse prevention and other therapeutic approaches
• Facilitate SMART Recovery groups, supporting participants to develop practical strategies for managing addictive behaviours and progressing their recovery goals
• Contribute to the facilitation of other AOD, recovery and dual diagnosis group programs
• Provide case management and care coordination for clients with complex or co-occurring needs
• Work collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams to support coordinated and holistic care
• Facilitate referrals and warm connections to AOD treatment, mental health, primary healthcare, welfare, residential withdrawal, rehabilitation and supported accommodation services
• Build effective relationships with external AOD services, health providers, community organisations and other support services
• Participate in case conferences, multidisciplinary reviews and relevant AOD sector meetings
• Maintain accurate and professional client records, case notes, reports and treatment documentation
• Identify and respond appropriately to immediate risks, critical incidents and safeguarding concerns
• Participate in outreach and community-based support where required
• Contribute your professional knowledge and experience to the ongoing development of BCF's AOD services and broader SHW team.

ABOUT YOU

You may currently be working within AOD services, community mental health, homelessness services, rehabilitation, withdrawal services, community health, welfare or another community-based therapeutic environment.

You understand that recovery is not always linear and that effective AOD support starts with meeting the person where they are.

You can build rapport with people experiencing complex circumstances while maintaining professional boundaries and providing evidence-based support in a respectful and non-judgemental way.

You are comfortable working independently as a clinician while also recognising that good outcomes often require collaboration across AOD, mental health, housing, healthcare and community services.

Most importantly, you bring empathy, sound clinical judgement and a genuine commitment to supporting people to identify and work towards their own recovery goals.

WHAT YOU'LL BRING

• A relevant tertiary qualification in Social Work, Psychology, Counselling, Community Services, Mental Health, AOD or another relevant discipline or Certificate IV in Alcohol and Other Drugs/Mental Health competencies with relevant AOD sector experience
• Demonstrated experience working within the AOD sector
• Experience providing counselling, case management or therapeutic support to people experiencing alcohol and other drug concerns
• Strong knowledge of evidence-based AOD interventions, harm minimisation and recovery-oriented practice
• Experience providing trauma-informed support to people with complex needs
• Knowledge of co-occurring AOD and mental health presentations
• Experience facilitating therapeutic, recovery or psychoeducational groups
• Experience facilitating SMART Recovery or a willingness and capability to undertake SMART Recovery facilitator training
• Strong risk assessment and critical incident response capability
• Strong advocacy, referral and care coordination skills
• Experience working collaboratively with health, mental health, welfare and community services
• Strong written and verbal communication skills including professional case documentation
• A respectful and non-judgemental approach to working with people from diverse and marginalised backgrounds
• The ability to remain calm, resilient and solutions-focused within a dynamic frontline environment
• A genuine alignment with BCF's mission and values.

WHY JOIN BCF?

At BCF, AOD support does not operate in isolation.

Our integrated service environment means you will work alongside teams supporting people across social welfare, community services, healthcare, food services and other areas of need.

For an AOD clinician, this creates an opportunity to work with the whole person, recognising that alcohol and other drug use can intersect with housing instability, mental health, physical health, relationships, financial hardship and social isolation.

We offer:

• Not-for-Profit salary packaging benefits of up to $15,900
• Access to our Employee Assistance Program ('EAP')
• Health and wellbeing benefits through WHEREFIT
• A supportive and multidisciplinary working environment
• Meaningful frontline work with people experiencing complex circumstances
• Opportunities to contribute to therapeutic groups including SMART Recovery
• Opportunities to build relationships across the broader AOD, health and community services sector.

OUR RECRUITMENT PROCESS

BCF is a unique frontline environment and we want candidates to understand both the opportunity and the realities of working within our services.

If shortlisted, our recruitment process may include:

• An initial phone conversation
• A formal interview
• A practical component where you may meet members of the team and observe aspects of the working environment.

This process gives us the opportunity to get to know you while also giving you a genuine understanding of BCF, our clients and the work you would be stepping into.

Please Note:

This recruitment process is managed directly by the BCF People and Culture ('P&C') team. We appreciate the interest of recruitment agencies and external providers however we are not seeking third-party recruitment support for this position.

Bill Crews Charitable Trust and the Exodus Foundation are separate but closely cooperating entities. Together, they deliver services and programs under the Rev. Bill Crews Foundation brand name, working to support those in need.

All BCF employees are required to have completed at least three (3) COVID-19 vaccinations including booster doses approved by the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration ('TGA'). Proof of vaccination status will be required prior to commencement.

Applicants must have the right to work in Australia. The successful candidate will also be required to complete a National Police Check and Working With Children Check as part of the employment process.