Position Title:              AOD Youth Counsellor

Award:                          (SCHADS) Industry Award 2010

Classification:             Social and Community Services Employee Level 5

Hours of work:            Full time / Part time 

Reports to:                  Chief Executive Officer

Position Purpose 

• The AOD Youth Counsellor provides clinical assessment, education, and ongoing therapeutic support to minimise the harm of alcohol and drug use (or other addictive behaviours) to young people aged 12-25. 

Experience

• Demonstrated experience providing therapeutic interventions for clients with AOD/ addictive behaviours
• A minimum of 3 years experience working with young people in a counselling capacity

Education:

• Relevant tertiary qualifications in AOD / Counselling / Youth Work or other health related qualifications

Selection Criteria for Appointment into Role (Candidates must address each criterion to be eligible for selection)

• Knowledge of and understanding of the key issues facing young people
• Experience in working with young people with complex needs especially issues relating to problematic alcohol or other drug use
• Demonstrated understanding of adolescent development and an ability to practice a range of interventions, including conducting complex assessments, care planning, review, and case work approaches. 
• Experience in working with young people with mental health comorbidities
• Sound knowledge and application of contemporary models / best practice in therapeutic interventions for addictive behaviours
• Demonstrated understanding and practice of trauma informed care
• Understanding of responding to crises, and accessing other support services 
• Advanced engagement and communication skills with young people from a range of backgrounds (including cultural awareness) and age groups, including the ability to model appropriate behaviours and motivate young people
  • High standard of written and oral communication skills
  • Demonstrated ability to establish effective working relationships in a team environment
  • Demonstrated ability to address and resolve conflict
  • Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with young people
• Demonstrated experience of participation in co-operative and collaborative work practices with other service providers including youth justice, police, child protection, and community groups, including well developed liaison and networking skills
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, as well as advanced interpersonal, coaching, and consultative skills 
• Ability to constructively work within a team environment
• Ability to work within an outreach model of service delivery
• Computer literacy, including MS office, internet, and email
• A current Tasmanian driver’s licence

Key Responsibilities:

Clinical Service Delivery         

• Demonstrates excellent clinical skills in assessment and therapeutic interventions 
• Delivers clinical service in schools and other outreach locations
• Works with clients to develop, implement and review individual treatment goals based on the clients identified needs
• Demonstrates an understanding of crisis management and the ability to deal with suicide interventions
• Works competently with complex comorbid clients and refers to appropriate external services where required
• Practices in accordance with Holyoake conceptual model and philosophy
• Ability to prioritise clinical and administrative duties, including the effective and efficient planning and organisation of a complex caseload
• Participates in the analysis, design and review of Holyoake programs and program materials
• Documents client information and maintains client files and statistics

Legislation / Policies / Procedures         

• Practices within Holyoake policies and procedures
• Demonstrates knowledge of and practices within relevant Commonwealth and State legislation
• Participates in policy review and development

Communication

• Demonstrates advanced interpersonal skills including:
• Develops networks with a range of youth services including youth justice, employment /educational and recreational facilities to promote referral pathways
• Strong analytical thinking and problem-solving skills and ability to deliver innovative solutions
• Provides reports on progress of program activities for:
  • Holyoake Board
  • CEO
  • Funding bodies
• Demonstrates excellent documentation skills in the timely and accurate collection of client related information

Supervision

• Attends 6-weekly external clinical supervision consultations
• Engages in regular internal clinical supervision sessions with other staff
• Provides clinical supervision and expert advice for students and peer workers
• Assists in the induction of new staff

Professional Development

• Commitment to personal learning, development, and improvement in pursuit of own performance objectives and those of the team and organisation.
• Participates in Holyoake staff development program

Quality Improvement

• Participates in Holyoake quality improvement program

Occupational Health and Safety

• Exercises reasonable care in the performance of duties consistent with relevant OHS Legislation
• Identifies and reduces immediate workplace risks and reports all OHS hazards to CEO

Marketing / Networking

• Participates in activities to promote Holyoake services

Performance Review and Development

• A performance review will be conducted at the completion of a 3-month probation period and annually thereafter
• All staff appointments are subject to a review of the results of a current WWVP (Children) and National Police Check