Canberra Health Services
Mental Health, Justice Health, Alcohol and Drug Services
Alcohol and Drug Services

Counsellor

Health Professional Level 3
Salary Range: $99,819 – $105,180 (up to $110,398 on achieving a personal upgrade) (PN: 28423-025OZ)

Our Vision: creating exceptional health care together
Our Role: to be a health service that is trusted by our community
Our Values: Reliable, Progressive, Respectful and Kind

POSITION OVERVIEW

Canberra Health Services (CHS) is focussed on the delivery of high quality, effective, person-centred care. It provides acute, sub-acute, primary, and community‐based health services, to the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) and surrounding region. More information can be found on the CHS website: www.canberrahealthservices.act.gov.au

The Alcohol and Drug Services is a part of the division of Mental Health, Justice Health and Alcohol & Drug Services (MHJHADS), which is contemporary, evidence-based service providing high quality Alcohol and Drug Services (ADS) guided by the principles of harm minimisation. The ADS incorporate 6 areas including the Opioid Treatment Services, Medical Services, Consultation and Liaison Service, 10 bed Inpatient Withdrawal Service, Police and Court Drug Diversion Service and Counselling and Treatment Services. 

Alcohol and Drug Services provides information, advice, referral, intake, assessment, and support for ACT residents struggling with substance use issues. We offer services for individuals, their family and friends, general practitioners, other health professionals, and business and community groups.

This also includes the provision of high-quality liaison with external stakeholder, consumers and staff of Mental Health, Justice Health and Alcohol and Drug Services.   

This position is part of the Allied Health team based at Building 7, The Canberra Hospital.

The role is a mandatory qualified position and will require recent demonstrated experience in the provision of comprehensive assessments, ability to provide a range of psychological/counselling treatments and group work to adults.   

All team members are required to undertake professional development and supervision, participate in quality initiatives and contribute to the multidisciplinary team processes. 

ABOUT YOU

CHS is committed to workforce diversity and to creating an inclusive workplace. As part of this commitment, we welcome applications from all diversity groups. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people with disability and people who identify as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex, or Questioning (LGBTIQ) are particularly encouraged to apply.

Behavioural Capabilities

• Ability to work within a multi-disciplinary team, be flexible, adaptable, and comfortable with a changing working environment.
• Strong organisational skills including excellent written and oral communication
• Ability to analyse information and make decisions to complete tasks with minimal supervision

Position Requirements/Qualifications:

Relevant tertiary qualifications and experience working professionally in Allied Health or counselling is preferred.

For Social Work: 

• Degree in Social Work
• Professional membership or eligibility for professional membership of the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW)
• Registration under the ACT Working with Vulnerable People Act 2011
• Applicants must have a minimum of three years (ideal five years) post-qualification experience.

For Psychology:

• Be registered or be eligible for general registration with Psychology Board of Australia under AHPRA.
• Applicants must have a minimum of three years (ideal five years) post-qualification experience.

Highly Desirable:

• Psychology Board of Australia endorsement or eligibility for endorsement as Principal and/or Secondary supervisor for Internship program

For Counselling 

• Eligible qualification pathways

Pathway 1

• Minimum five-year full-time (or part-time equivalent) sequence of study made up of:
• Minimum three-year undergraduate Bachelor-level accredited degree in a health-related discipline (psychology, social work, occupational therapy or other discipline considered relevant)

AND

• Minimum two-year full-time (or part-time equivalent) post-graduate study in counselling via a Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA) or Australian Counselling Association (ACA) accredited course;

OR

• Three-year part-time Australian and New Zealand Association of Psychotherapy (ANZAP) training in the Conversational Model.

Pathway 2

• Minimum three-year undergraduate Bachelor of Counselling degree via a PACFA or ACA accredited course

AND

• Minimum one-year full-time (or part-time equivalent) post-graduate study in counselling via a PACFA or ACA accredited course

OR

• Three-year part-time ANZAP training in the Conversational Model.
• Demonstrated evidence of eligibility for listing on the Australian Register of Counsellors and Psychotherapists (ARCAP) as either a Division A PACFA minimum Clinical Registrant or Division B ACA minimum Level 3.
• Have an understanding of how the National Standards and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) indicators align with this role.
• Fulfil the responsibilities of this role as detailed in the CHS Exceptional Care Framework, Clinical Governance Framework, Partnering With Consumers Framework and all other related frameworks.

Desirable: 

• Current Drivers licence 

Note: This is a temporary position for four months with the possibility of extension.

Prior to commencement successful candidates will be required to:

• Reference checks
• Comply with CHS credentialing and scope of clinical practice requirements for allied health professionals.
• Obtain a Compliance Certificate from OMU (Occupational Medicine Unit) relating to assessment, screening & vaccination processes against specified infectious diseases.
• Undergo a pre-employment National Police Check.

HOW TO APPLY / OR WANT TO KNOW MORE?

For further information, please visit www.jobs.act.gov.au

Contact Officer: Michael Haines (02) 51242591 [email protected]

Applications Close: 29 September 2022