SEWB Counsellor

Location: Derby, Western Australia

Employment Type: Full Time

Remuneration: $80,620.80 – $100,776.00 per annum pro rata + superannuation + salary sacrifice

The Counsellor reports to and is directly accountable to the Clinical Lead and is responsible for providing support in the delivery of Social and Emotional Wellbeing care to (Service Provider) clients. The Counsellor forms part of the (Service Provider) SEWB Multi-Disciplinary team. and works collaboratively with the team and the (Service Provider) clinic staff. This includes providing counselling and social and emotional wellbeing support services to assist people to deal with a wide range of issues including grief and loss, depression, domestic and family violence, family and/or relationship matters and any other issues which impact on social and emotional wellbeing. The Counsellor is essential in promoting a client centred, trauma-informed approach to the delivery of services and a collaborative working culture to achieve the best possible outcomes for our clients. Work with individuals with mental disorders to resolve associated psychosocial problems and with families in which mental health problems exist in connection with social problems, such as family distress, unemployment, disability, poverty and trauma. Work with issues such as depression, anxiety, mood and personality disorders, suicidal thoughts, relationship problems, adjustment issues, trauma and family conflicts. This position has been created as part of the Social and Emotional Wellbeing (SEWB) Model of Service Pilot to deliver optimal, culturally appropriate SEWB outcomes for Aboriginal people, their families, carers and communities in a more responsive and appropriate way. This position works as part of a wider team encompassing a Clinical Lead, Cultural Lead (50(d)), Social and Emotional Wellbeing (SEWB) Worker (50(d), Male/Female), Counsellor (Male/Female) and Care Coordinator/Administrator. The program aims to establish and continually run prevention and SEWB activities. (Service) acknowledges that community empowerment is an important part of building resilience in the community and local, place-based governance over the activities have been shown to have a beneficial impact on this. The pilot program aims to improve Aboriginal people’s uptake of Aboriginal community-controlled health, SEWB support and specialist services.

About You

To be considered for this position, you must have:

• The teams involved in the delivery of the Pilot must understand the Western Australian Aboriginal community, and the interrelated factors affecting SEWB, and will be suitability qualified.
• Demonstrated ability to uphold the principles of cultural safety including an ability to communicate effectively and sensitively with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
• Knowledge of evidence based and culturally appropriate approaches to mental health, SEWB and AOD issues within Aboriginal communities.
• A minimum of a Diploma in a recognised qualification in Counselling, Mental Health or a related field.
• Demonstrated comprehensive understanding of social and emotional wellbeing issues affecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
• Understanding of Aboriginal Community Control in the context of health care.

• Demonstrated experience providing culturally secure, trauma-informed counselling.
• Demonstrated individual and group counselling skills with experience and knowledge of social, emotional and mental health issues which may include culturally appropriate healing methods, and trauma and grief counselling skills.
• Experience in managing clinical caseload of clients with high and complex needs.
• Highly developed interpersonal skills including negotiation and consultation skills and the ability to proactively establish and sustain effective stakeholder relationships
• Proven ability to solve problems by analysing issues, identifying options and selecting the most appropriate solution.
• Experience or willingness to undertake training in group work and other healing activities.
• Effective organisational and time management skills including the ability to manage competing priorities.
• Proven well developed written and verbal communication skills and the ability to communicate respectfully and effectively with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
• Experience in creating and maintaining accurate and up to date case notes.
• Current Working with Children Check or ability to obtain upon appointment
• Current and unrestricted Western Australian Drivers Licence
• The ability to travel throughout the geographic service area of (Service Provider).
• National Police Clearance
• Ability and willingness to work outside normal business hours.
• Fully Covid-19 Vaccinated

Ideally, in addition to the above, we are looking for someone who has:

• The person identifies as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander and is acknowledged as such by their community.
• Diploma in Narrative Therapy
• A nationally recognised Diploma level or higher in a relevant field
• Experience in working with Aboriginal people and/or communities

The position involves working within a multicultural organisation where the majority of employees, clients and stakeholders identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander. Candidates must be able to demonstrate an understanding of the issues affecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and their ability to communicate sensitively and effectively with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

About the Benefits

While you will face diverse new challenges in the role, you will also enjoy an attractive remuneration package including a base salary of $80,620.80 – $100,776.00 per annum pro rata plus superannuation. You’ll also gain access to generous salary packaging options, which will greatly increase your take home pay. In addition, you will have access to a number of fantastic benefits including:

• Annual Airfare Derby-Perth-Derby return after 12 months of employment to the value of $1,683
• Accommodation allowance of $7,800
• 5 weeks annual leave with 17.5% Leave loading
• Salary packaging gross up amount of $30,000 option
• Relocation to Derby up to $5,000
• Employee Assistance Program

Please note there is no closing date for this position. Applications will be assessed on submission and interviews scheduled accordingly. We encourage interested candidates to express their interest without delay!

Written applications must address all selection criteria. For further information about this position please contact Human Resources on (08) 9158 4200 or email [email protected]

About the Organisation

Derby Aboriginal Health Service (DAHS) is an Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Service (ACCHS) providing holistic primary health care services to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people living in Derby and surrounding communities. DAHS provide a wide range of innovative public health programs in addition to direct comprehensive primary health care services. It is required to comply with a number of Service Agreements with Commonwealth and State departments and agencies, and to operate with a number of government and private medical and health delivery organisations. The operating environment for ACCHS Australia-wide – has become increasingly complex and changeable in recent years and this is likely to continue.

Key Responsibilities for this position are:

The scope of this position will include, but is not limited to:

Operations Duties

• interventions include: – Detailed psychosocial assessment identifying the connections between mental health problems and complex social contexts – Assessment of the mental illness and its impact on the life of individuals and their families – Working with individuals, families, groups and communities to find solutions to mental health problems.
• Provide individual and family social and emotional wellbeing counselling services as well as group interventions to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, ensuring clients are treated respectfully, with their needs identified and managed in a professional and culturally sensitive manner
• Provide individual and family counselling specifically in regard to issues of grief, loss and trauma or any other issues impacting on their wellbeing
• Work collaboratively with the SEWB Worker to ensure continuity of care under their case management plans.
• Participate in the planning, development, implementation and promotion of services which enhance the coping capacity of Aboriginal and Torres Islander families and individuals and ensure that services are delivered in a culturally safe manner.
• In crisis situations or as otherwise required, undertake home visits and outreach counselling at other locations when appropriate.
• Participate in agreed stakeholder and interagency meetings to ensure a multidisciplinary approach to client care including client allocation, reviews and service development.
• Work collaboratively with the SEWB Worker and Cultural Lead to provide access to interpreting services or other support as required.
• Promotion of SEWB Services
• Demonstrate a pro-active, confident approach to promoting SEWB services to community groups, other agencies, conferences and deliver presentations when required
• Promote and present a positive image of SEWB program to other staff, clients and the community in general.
• In consultation with the Cultural Lead and SEWB Worker, participate in healing activities for clients that strengthen cultural identities, individual capacity and community connections.
• Actively participating in community and promotional events which support the social and emotional wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
• Encourage a team approach to the development and provision of appropriate SEWB programs, planning and problem solving
• Contribute to the development and implementation of Program policies and procedures
• Working collaboratively with and supporting other colleagues and teams where required
• Contributing to strategic planning activities of the program
• Ensure client and program data are routinely captured and reported in line with reporting requirements and funding guidelines, maintaining accurate client records, case notes and other data.
• Participate in staff meetings, case reviews, clinical supervision and other similar processes.

General Responsibilities

• Demonstrate a strong commitment to uphold and contribute to the organisation’s mission, objectives and values.
• Support and promote teamwork through open communication, collaboration and contribute to a positive workplace culture.
• Attend and participate in professional development activities including workshops and training as required.
• Attend and participate in Employee Development Days.
• Participate and comply with all Work Health and Safety responsibilities as per the Work Health and Safety Act 2020 (WA).
• Identify and assist to reduce Work Health and Safety hazards and risks.
• Follow the reasonable direction of Work Health and Safety representatives.

Develop and Maintain Linkages

• Liaise and cooperate as required with other Project and Policy staff in DAHS

Self-Management & Team Contribution

• Contribute to process improvement and adhere to all DAHS Policies and Procedures
• Participate in Performance review process
• Contribute to effective team performance
• Follow all safety procedures and contribute to a safe work environment

Culturally Appropriate Ways of Working

• Personally demonstrate through consistent behaviour understanding of, respect for and compliance with culturally sensitive ways of working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients, staff and communities

Other

• Participates in continuous quality improvement activities and applies quality improvement principles to all duties performed.
• Attends workshops and training as required
• Attend and participate in Staff Development Days

Please note that the duties outlined in this position description are not exhaustive, and only an indication of the work of the role. The organisation can direct you to carry out duties which it considers are within your level of skill, competence and training and scope of practice.