Drug Health Services Adolescent Community Programs provides specialist drug and alcohol services to young people aged 12 – 24 and their families who live, work or study in the Western Suburbs of Melbourne. Our aim is to empower young people and their families affected by substance dependence/misuse, mental health issues and/or social disconnection, to take control of their health and wellbeing. We provide vulnerable, high risk youth, or those at risk of becoming so, with a range of voluntary free programs and services.  These include comprehensive drug & alcohol assessments, assertive youth outreach, entry into our residential state-wide withdrawal unit including family counselling/support.

About the position

The position is a clinical role funded by the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing (DFFH) to provide clinical services to young people aged between 12 – 24 years of age and their families impacted by drug use in the Western region of Melbourne. The outreach role provides information, education, crisis interventions, brief interventions, referral, comprehensive alcohol and drug assessments, counselling and withdrawal  treatment coordination. These services are provided through various platforms which include centre based , outreach and digital technology.   Adiditonally the position requires a cmmittment to collobraotuve practice with a range of stakewholders , both internal and external health and welfare systems. The Adolescent AOD Clinician requires the use of excellent written and verbal communication skills in order to manage at times competing impertatives , while remaining client- centred in the provision of Western Health’s Best Care framework for Quality , Safety and the client experience.

Your key responsibilities will include:

• The provision of comprehensive youth AOD assessments, counselling, outreach and support to young people with substance use issues and their families using a range of assertive outreach and therapeutic interventions
• Provide clinical services that are evidence based and consistent with current clinical benchmarks and best practice in the area of adolescent development and substance use
• Facilitate the participation of the young person’s family/carers in the drug and alcohol treatment through the use of a family centred approach.  This might include the family’s involvement in the young person’s treatment pre, during and post withdrawal and/or the provision of support for families through education and counselling.
• Extensive experience in assessing a young person’s needs, including complex risk assessments and the ability to action a plan to mitigate any identified risks

The successful applicant will have a sound knowledge of adolescent development, highly skilled youth AOD assessment skills, excellent communication skills , extensive time management skills and a commitment to both internal and external collaborative  practice . You will also have extensive knowledge of the youth AOD treatment system and experience working in multidisciplinary care team environments. 

For full details of the position, please view the Position Description below or visit our website.

About Us

Our workforce of over 11,000 employees are driven by our values of ‘Compassion, Accountability, Respect, Excellence and Safety’ (CARES). We value our people and provide them the opportunity to grow and develop.  Our teams are friendly and supportive, ensuring we deliver a safe, person-centred and connected patient experience.
Western Health is in a period of rapid growth. Our services comprise of four acute public hospitals: Footscray Hospital, Sunshine Hospital (including Joan Kirner Women’s and Children’s), Williamstown Hospital and Bacchus Marsh & Melton Hospital. We also operate Sunbury Day Hospital, Grant Lodge Residential Aged Care, as well as community health centres in Melton, Caroline Springs and Bacchus Marsh and a range of mental health and community-based services. We care for a diverse community of more than 1 million people with complex care needs ranging from Neonates to Geriatrics.

Our employees enjoy a wide range of benefits such as:

• Professional development support
• Career advancement opportunities
• Salary packaging including novated vehicle leasing
• Work-life balance

Western Health is an equal opportunity employer committed to attracting and retaining diversity in our workforce. We encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Western Health is committed to providing a safe environment for the children and young people who are involved in our services, sites and operations. We follow and abide by all legislative requirements to keep children and young people safe.

All appointments are made subject to a satisfactory Police Record Check, an Immunisation status clearance (including evidence of COVID 19 vaccination) and (if applicable) a Working with Children’s Check.

Western Health do not accept unsolicited resumes/applications from Recruitment Agencies.