POSITION DESCRIPTION
Position Title:
Drug and Alcohol Clinician – Adolescent Forensic Counsellor
Business Unit/Department:
Drug Health Services
Division:
Medical Services
Classification:
Social Work Grade 2, Registered Nurse Div 1and/or 3 – Grade 3B
Psychologist Grade 2, equivalent Health or Welfare discipline
Reports To:
Team Leader Adolescent Community Programs
Manager Community Programs
Date Prepared/Updated:
November 2014
Position Statement:
The Adolescent Forensic Counselling position provides assessment, counselling and treatment coordination
service to adolescent forensic clients referred by ACSO COATS and Youth Justice
In this role you will
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Provide information, referral, assessment and counselling services to individuals with forensic
involvement affected by substance use
act as a mentor and secondary consultant to colleagues from within Drug Health Services and
professionals from other community organisations about forensic client issues
Business Unit Statement:
Medical Services is responsible for Drug Health Services, Medical Workforce Unit, Clinical Governance Unit
and the Office for Research.
The Medical Workforce Unit has operational management of senior and junior medical workforce recruitment
and retention. It supports the development of the medical workforce of the future and early post graduate
education, and professional management of the Medical Workforce.
Clinical Governance is responsible for quality, safety and clinical risk within the organisation, and is
responsible for accreditation, compliments and complaints management, and clinical risk management.
Our Vision
Together, Caring for the West
Patients – Employees – Community – Environment
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AOD Forensic Counsellor (Adolescents) - 2014
Western Health Values:
Compassion, Accountability, Respect, Excellence & Safety
Western Health aspires to be a values-driven organisation and all employees are required to model the
following values in their day to day tasks:
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Compassion – consistently acting with empathy and integrity
Accountability – empowering our staff to serve our community
Respect – for the rights, beliefs and choice of every individual
Excellence – inspiring and motivating innovation and achievement
Safety – working in an open, honest and safe environment
Western Health Focus: ‘Best Care’
At Western Health we are committed to high quality, safe and person centred patient care. The Western
Health framework for Quality, Safety and the Patient Experience describes a vision for ‘Best Care’ for all
Western Health patients and sets out the behaviours, strategies and organisational systems needed to
achieve this vision.
Key Accountabilities:
Safe and Effective
Patient Care
At Western Health our vision for quality care and services is that each of our patients
receives ‘Best Care” with us, every time.
To enable ‘Best Care’ all employees are required to:
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Scan for and act on opportunities to create Best Care
Model positive and proactive attitudes and behaviours that support the
dimensions of Best Care
Collaborate on achieving the goals for Best Care with other employees and
patients/consumers
To enable ‘Best Care’ all Front Line Employees (i.e. all those who care directly for
and/or interact with patients on a day to day basis) are required to:
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Model the behaviours and actions outlined in the Western Health vision for
Best Care
Form partnerships with patients and carers
Work with other employees, departments, services and consumers to develop,
implement and evaluate local initiatives to contribute to the organisational best
care objectives
Make the achievement of Best Care a priority and pursue it by actively
participating in organisational processes, safety systems and improvement
initiatives
Be trained in the roles and services for which they are accountable
Understand their broad responsibility for safety and quality in health care
Follow safety and quality procedures
Participate in the review of care procedures individually or as part of a team
Be proactive about identifying and addressing issues that interfere with
patients receiving Best Care
Support and enable peers to create Best Care
Other role accountabilities include:
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Demonstrate a commitment to the patient ‘Charter of Healthcare Rights’
Comply with the expected standards of performance in the role as described
by the relevant professional bodies/industry standards
Hold accountability for own actions and seek guidance and support from
Our Vision
Together, Caring for the West
Patients – Employees – Community – Environment
Page 2 of 7
AOD Forensic Counsellor (Adolescents) - 2014
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People and Culture
appropriate employees when limited by own skills and experience
Comply with confidentiality obligations with regard to patients, consumers and
colleagues
Comply with all Western Health policies and procedures
Assess individual client’s substance use using a range of clinical tools, such as
the specialist alcohol and drug assessment tool or equivalent.
Identify risk and record utilizing appropriate tools and escalate appropriately to
minimize risk factors and maximize protective factors
Provide information, referral, assessment and counselling services to youth
with forensic involvement affected by substance use:
Assess individual client’s substance use using a range of clinical tools, such as
the specialist alcohol and drug assessment tool or equivalent.
Provide skilled therapeutic interventions contributing to the development and
implementation of individual treatment plans.
Maintain relationships with the Courts, Youth Justice, Victoria Police and the
Community Offenders Advice and Treatment Services (COATS), notifying
them of client attendance, referral and treatment progress, variation and
completion.
Utilize the ACSO COATS Penelope portal to report on progress, make
treatment recommendations and process TCA’s (Treatment completion
Advice)
Facilitate referral to appropriate services, including provision of advice to
clients, linkages with ACSO COATS and other drug treatment services, and
with relevant community based agencies such as Youth Justice
Be familiar with legislation relevant to the service (e.g. Alcohol and Drug
Dependent Persons Act;Severe Substance Dependence Treatment Act 2010,
Mental Health Act; Health Information Act; Health Records Act).
Ensure that all services are provided in a manner which is sensitive to
diversity, including diversity of culture, language, family, race and gender.
Maintain to a high standard relevant records and contribute to the collection of
data in the preparation of reports and evaluation
Ensure the maintenance of client confidentiality and of comprehensive client
records in accordance with funding requirements and Western Health policy
and procedures.
Provide clinical services that are evidence based and consistent with current
clinical benchmarks and best practice in the area of substance use.
Adhere to relevant professional clinical guidelines in the provision of services.
Ensure all administration, data recording and financial accountability processes
are known and adhered to, including administrative tasks related to COATS
and other forensic systems;
Undertake other tasks as directed by Management
Focus on achieving performance excellence by leading and modelling the Western
Health values in all that you do:
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Display the Western Health values when carrying out duties and in dealing with
patients, consumers and colleagues
Participate in personal annual performance development planning and reviews
to identify learning and development needs and progress towards achievement
Act in accordance with the Code of Conduct
Ensure any risks and adverse events are reported appropriately and promptly
and prevention strategies are implemented to ensure the safety of all patients
and consumers and staff
Actively participate as a member of the Adolescent Community Programs
Team.
Foster collegial and collaborative relationships with members of the Drug
Our Vision
Together, Caring for the West
Patients – Employees – Community – Environment
Page 3 of 7
AOD Forensic Counsellor (Adolescents) - 2014
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Community and
Partnership
Build and promote relationships that respect our culturally diverse community and
colleagues and enhance the patient experience:
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Research and
Learning
Health Services multi-disciplinary teams, and with practitioners from other
organisations to ; individually-tailor care plans for individuals; and coordinate
care and services as required
Ensure confidentiality of information pertaining to colleagues, clients and their
significant others.
Comply with all state legislative requirements in respect to the Occupational
Health and Safety Act 2004 and Workplace Injury, Rehabilitation and
Compensation Act 2013 and at all times contribute to a safe work environment
for all staff and clients
Work collaboratively to achieve desired outcomes for the organisation
Represent Western Health ethically and professionally on every occasion
Ensure relationships with colleagues, patients and consumers are professional
and ethical and that cultural differences are respected
Ensure an excellent standard of service is offered by partnering with patients,
consumers and the community at all levels of health care provision, planning
and evaluation
Ensure that services are provided in a manner sensitive to specific community
needs, including sensitivity to gender, culture, and age.
Liaise and network with Alcohol & Other Drug services and community based
service providers within Victoria. Through these relationships raise the profile
of the service and develop integrated service delivery approaches
Assist in the establishment and operation of feedback mechanisms from clients
of the service (eg, through DHS auspiced surveys & feedback forms,
compliance with the Western Health patient complaints mechanism, and other
mechanisms to be created).
In collaboration with the Team Leader Adolescent Community Programs,
participate in relevant community forums and provide feedback to Drug Health
Services about issues arising in the community in relation to substance use
and/or the Services of Drug Health Services.
Participate in research and professional development opportunities to promote a
culture of learning:
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Support and contribute to quality and continuous improvement activities(such
as A3 projects)
Support and contribute to the mentoring and supervision of others
Complete all mandatory training by the due date
Participate in Drug Health Services approved Research projects, maintaining a
high standard of ethical conduct, quality service provision and reflective
learning
Use performance review processes to identify appropriate formal learning
opportunities such as further training and education programmes to enhance
your practice and professional development
Conduct external professional training and community education sessions
Develop, assist and/or implement innovative projects which are designed to
reduce the harms associated with the use of substances
Maintain individually relevant professional development, participate in
opportunities for education relevant to Drug Health Services clinical practice
and contribute to Staff Development activities
Foster self directed learning and self assessment of learning needs
Participate in Operational and Clinical Supervision
Our Vision
Together, Caring for the West
Patients – Employees – Community – Environment
Page 4 of 7
AOD Forensic Counsellor (Adolescents) - 2014
Self-sufficiency
and Sustainability
Contribute to the delivery of the Operational Plan requirements of your
Department/Division through efficient and effective utilisation of time, resources and
equipment:
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Occupational
Health and Safety
Obligations
Contribute to the responsible use and management of resources and
equipment
Identify and communicate to your Manager potential sources of waste
minimisation within department/unit
Bring to the attention of the Team Leader, Adolescent community Programs,
any potential risk factors arising in the provision of the service and/or potential
adjustments to the service to improve the effectiveness of the service
Maintain an acceptable level of attendance and adhere to Western Health
policies and procedures pertaining to annual leave, personal leave and other
leave as appropriate
Comply with all relevant funding and services agreement requirements,
including reporting of activities and statistical returns by entering information on
to relevant data bases.
Contribute to a safe and healthy working environment by ensuring that:
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Your obligations for Occupational Health & Safety (OHS) and WorkCover
rehabilitation are met
Western Health's Occupational Health and Safety policies and procedures are
adhered to in your day to day duties and tasks
Work practices and conduct are performed in a manner that will not endanger
anyone
Unsafe work practices, hazards, near miss incidents and accidents are
reported to management.
Utilize RiskMan to report incidents and near misses
Complete Departmental Incident reporting documentation in conjunction with
your liner manager
A culture of safety and wellbeing is promoted by contributing ideas/suggestions
and supporting other employees in safe work practice
Maintain your knowledge and application of infection control and hygiene
precautions and ensure these are in accordance with infection control policies
and procedures
Commitment to using the Intent/Impact strategies for respectful communication
in order to reduce workplace stress
Our Vision
Together, Caring for the West
Patients – Employees – Community – Environment
Page 5 of 7
AOD Forensic Counsellor (Adolescents) - 2014
Key Working Relationships:
Internal:
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Drug Health Services employees
Western Health Staff
Individual and Family clients of Drug Health Services
Case Managers of Drug Health Services clients
External:
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Australian Community Support Organisation – Community Offenders Advice and Treatment Service
(ACSO-COATS)
Juvenile Justice
Educational Institutions
Out of Home Care Residential Facilities and Adolescent Community Placement Providers
Department of Human Services
Drug and Alcohol Community Service Organisations and Community Based Organisations
Selection Criteria:
Essential
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Relevant qualifications such as a Youth Work Social Work, Psychology, or Registered Nurse,
Division 1 or 3 and/or other equivalent Health or Welfare discipline
Accreditation as a Clinical Drug Assessor with the Drugs Policy and Services, Department of
Human services, or eligible for accreditation
Excellent written and verbal communication skills and a proven capacity to negotiate with clients,
staff and other stakeholders
Demonstrated experience in the provision of services to young people and/or their families and
groups affected by substance use
Demonstrated telephone and brief intervention counselling skills
Demonstrated comprehensive alcohol and drug assessment and counselling skills
Knowledge of the biological, psychological and social effects of drug use and its impact on young
people, their families and significant others and the community
Knowledge of contemporary practices in the drug and alcohol treatment field, in particular those
related to drug and alcohol assessment
Crisis management /suicide intervention skills
Demonstrated ability to effectively manage complex client issues
Understanding of, and commitment to, the principles and practises of harm minimisation in the
drug and alcohol field
Demonstrated ability to work effectively and within a multi-disciplinary team
Demonstrated sensitivity to the diverse needs of marginalised groups
Current drivers license
Computer literacy skills
Willingness to work flexible working hours
A police check and Working with Children’s check will be required to be completed for this position
Desirable
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Post Graduate qualifications in drug and alcohol treatment, therapeutic interventions or
management
Experience in providing outreach services
Ability to speak a relevant community language
I confirm I have read the Position Description, understand its content and agree to work in accordance with
Our Vision
Together, Caring for the West
Patients – Employees – Community – Environment
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AOD Forensic Counsellor (Adolescents) - 2014
the requirements of the position.
Employee’s Name:
Employee’s Signature:
Date:
Western Health is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing for its employees a
work environment which is free of harassment or discrimination.
Western Health reserves the right to modify position descriptions as required. Employees will be
consulted when this occurs.
Western Health is a smoke free environment.
Our Vision
Together, Caring for the West
Patients – Employees – Community – Environment
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AOD Forensic Counsellor (Adolescents) - 2014