POSITION DESCRIPTION
CHINESE SPEAKING FAMILY SERVICES COUNSELLOR
.6 EFT (3 days a week)
This position description describes the scope and skills required of the Chinese Speaking
Family Services Counsellor. The position description may be subject to periodical
reviews.
POSITION:
Chinese Speaking Family Services Counsellor
REPORTS TO:
Counselling Team Leader
LOCATION:
MonashLink; may work across all MonashLink sites and in
other locations to meet client demand. Some after-hours work
may be required
ORGANISATIONAL CONTEXT:
MonashLink Community Health Service Ltd is a multi-sited community health service,
providing a comprehensive range of health and welfare services primarily to residents of
the City of Monash.
The MonashLink Vision is that: MonashLink will be widely known as a vital, caring and
sustainable organisation that actively engages the community and provides a range
of accessible and supportive services and programs that improve people’s health
and wellbeing
Underpinning principles in achieving this vision are that MonashLink:
Recognises that the health of individuals and the community is influenced by social and
environmental factors as well as individual’s access to health services and plans and
delivers our services accordingly
Recognises that client, community and staff engagement in all aspects of our activities is
essential for effective governance and
Strives to provide quality services, in a professional, timely manner, to clients from
culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and to clients who are hearing impaired
who use sign language as their primary mode of communication
MonashLink is committed to partnering with other organisations to offer integrated health
and well-being services that are consistent with state-wide health needs and social
priorities.
MonashLink utilises an Active Service Approach that places the individual at the centre of
their care. Providing information and skills to help consumers make their own decisions
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and formulate their own goals; helping them to stay motivated, foster independence,
health and wellbeing.
The MonashLink Guiding Values are:
We care for our community and for the people who use our services
We listen to people who need our services and we advocate for our community
We provide accessible, innovative, and high quality services and programs
We partner with other organisations to ensure the development and delivery of better
services
POSITION OBJECTIVE
Population data reflects a large number of Chinese speaking people in the Monash
catchment. The Inner East Integrated Family Services (IEIFS) Alliance data shows an
under-representation of Chinese speaking parents accessing parenting support for
themselves and services for their children.
The Chinese Speaking Family Services Counsellor will be bi-lingual, fluent in English and
Mandarin and/or Cantonese (preferably both), and will assist Chinese clients with bestpractice family focused interventions for children and families within the local catchment.
This position will have an emphasis on developing links with the local Chinese service
delivery community to assist in engaging Chinese speaking families. The position will be
expected to work in partnership with other agencies to ensure the best interests of the
child are encouraged and championed
This position will have an emphasis on early intervention programs by providing parenting
education programs, counselling and group work interventions in line with contemporary,
professional standards of practice. The focus is on families with children between 0 – 12
years. The objective is to improve family functioning and resilience by using well
developed professional skills.
MonashLink has a Close the Health Gap Program to develop service delivery pathways
for the Aboriginal community. As with all MonashLink programs, this program will welcome
Aboriginal families as they present to MonashLink.
The position will be supported by an existing Family Services team, and a Children’s
Counselling Services, known as ps4kids. MonashLink has many Chinese speaking staff
that have developed various service pathways with the wider Chinese service delivery
sector and Chinese speaking community. MonashLink also has a Children’s Services
Team offering a range of allied health services as well as children’s dental services.
MonashLink uses language converter software to assist staff to produce material for the
community in their own language.
This position also interacts with various aspects of the Community Health setting to
facilitate ‘continuity of care’ for the client group, and the wider health care system as
appropriate. It is also expected that the worker will develop Links with other CALD groups
to further expand the program’s reach.
The aim of this position is to develop services with a multi-intervention focus as
appropriate to the community needs e.g. counselling, group interventions, potential for
outreach with a focus on developing parenting capacity and providing capacity building for
other Alliance agencies working with these cultural groups.
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DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
1.0
Service Delivery
Services will be in line with the program aims, funding guidelines and the mission and
values of MonashLink. Services include but are not limited to:
1.1
1.2
1.3
1.4
1.5
1.6
1.7
1.8
1.9
1.10
1.11
1.12
1.13
1.14
1.15
1.16
1.17
2.0
Providing assessment (including level of risk), counselling, and group work and
education services particularly focussing on the Chinese speaking community.
A focus on early intervention with families that may be coming into contact with
the service system for the first time, are lower intensity in the nature of
presentations and the work is predominantly preventative.
To develop services with a multi-intervention focus as appropriate e.g.
counselling, group interventions, potential for outreach, focussing on developing
parental capacity.
Receiving, screening and prioritising requests for service that allows equitable
access to the service delivery system.
Providing family-centred practice to ensure that children are supported in their
existing family and care networks.
Supporting and advocating for the client group to assist them in their treatment
outcomes.
To develop and deliver comprehensive treatment plans which are client directed,
collaborative and consultative and make use of available community resources.
Developing group work in response to the needs of the client group and the
community. This may involve developing partnerships with service delivery and/or
educational sectors to ensure best outcomes.
Liaising with Child FIRST to enable appropriate referrals in and out of the service
Producing appropriate reports as required to assist MonashLink in its role in the
Inner East Integrated Family Services Alliance
To provide capacity building for other Alliance agencies – by passing on
learning’s and models that work within this cultural group. This may include cofacilitating programs with other Alliance agencies.
Facilitating referrals to appropriate services providers within the treatment system
and providing a multi-disciplinary approach to treatment interventions when this is
warranted.
Meeting organisational and contractual targets as determined by the funding
body.
Attending relevant internal and external meetings
Adhering to MonashLink policies and procedures
Promoting a good public image for MonashLink Community Health Service
through high quality communication skills at the local & regional level.
Other duties, which are within the skills, competence and training of the position
holder and peripheral to the position.
Administration
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2.1
2.2
2.3
2.4
2.5.
Maintaining up to date client records according to quality standards and ensuring
safe custody and confidentiality of all client records.
Preparing and maintaining appropriate statistical data, reports and analysis
activities as appropriate.
Supervising students and volunteers as required or as appropriate
Communicating with management in respect to role responsibilities and
professional expertise in order to assist with program development.
Attending all meetings relevant to the position, both internal and external, that
furthers the position objective and the work of MonashLink.
3.0
Health Promotion
3.1
Contributing to MonashLink’s health promotion activities; participating in the
development of relevant programs and projects in line with MonashLink’s Health
Promotion Plan.
Working collaboratively with health professionals in developing a comprehensive
multi-disciplinary health promotion approach to the local community as required.
3.2
4.0
Quality Improvement and Professional Development
4.1
4.4
Support the organisational culture, which promotes continuous service
improvement and innovation.
Contribute to the QICSA Accreditation Process, including identifying, developing,
implementing and evaluating quality improvement activities.
Participate in identifying professional development and training needs and attend
professional development activities as required.
Assist the Team Leader in developing policies and procedures as appropriate.
5.0
Occupational Health & Safety (OHS)
5.1
Actively support a range of activities in accordance with Occupational Health &
Safety legislation obligations and in line with the MonashLink Risk Management
Program.
Support and participate in the MonashLink OH&S Risk Management Plan and
implement the plan (where appropriate) at discipline/organisation level.
Assist in maintaining a safe work environment by reporting incidents of unsafe
work practices, sites/areas or equipment.
Report injuries in the Site Register.
In the event of a workplace injury occurring, cooperate fully with the nominated
Return to Work coordinator, Manager, Team Leader and treating medical
practitioners and health professionals to facilitate an early return to work and
access to an appropriate rehabilitation program.
4.2
4.3
5.2
5.3
5.4
5.5
6.0
Community Engagement and Consumer Participation
MonashLink values collaboration with consumers and community members to
improve the way our services are developed, planned and delivered. We are
committed to community engagement and consumer participation and as such
support ways in which the community’s health can be optimised and its strengths
are recognised and built upon by encouraging all staff to:
PD Chinese Speaking Family Services Counsellor September 2013
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6.1
6.2
6.3
6.4
Support and contribute to the goals and objectives of the Community
Engagement and Consumer Participation Policy.
Actively participate in recruiting consumers, carers, and the community to
participate in all aspects of the organisation.
Promote awareness that MonashLink encourages consumer, carer, and
community participation at all levels of the organisation.
Work collaboratively with other staff, the community and consumers to plan,
implement and evaluate services, projects and programs.
7.0
Equal Opportunity
7.1
7.2
7.3
The position holder is required to observe and practice the principles and
obligations of Equal Employment Opportunity, which include:
 A workplace which is free from harassment;
 Ensuring that activities and practices prevent and eliminate unlawful
discrimination.
Promote merit and equity in the workplace.
Contribute to the successful management of cultural diversity in the workplace
8.0
Organisation Policies & Procedures
8.1
Maintain currency of knowledge and practice with MonashLink specific
Regulations, Policies and Procedures as applicable to the position and as
amended from time to time
REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS
This position is accountable through the Counselling Team Leader, to the Counselling
Services Manager.
Performance Review
Criteria:
Participation in regular performance appraisal based on a documented individual
performance plan with stated performance indicators including output targets is expected.
The performance plan and outputs will be negotiated in accordance with a regular cycle of
review.
QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE
Essential
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
A recognised professional qualification in Social Work or Welfare that is relevant
to the objectives of this position.
Experience in working with the Chinese community.
Excellent communication skills in English and Mandarin and/or Cantonese
Experience in practical parenting education and skill building
Well-developed interpersonal skills
Understanding of principles of confidentiality, and rights and responsibilities of
consumers/clients within a community health context as part of the Privacy Act
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7.
8.
9.
A sound knowledge of the Child Protection system
A Working with Children Check
Current Victorian drivers licence.
Desirable
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
A sound knowledge of the social model of health and the social determinants of
health.
knowledge of local Chinese communities
A qualification in Family Therapy.
Accreditation as Mental Health Social Worker.
Understanding of the application of risk management principles and practice.
Experience at working independently with demonstrated initiative.
Relevant experience or willingness to work as part of a multi-disciplinary team.
Demonstrated written and verbal communication skills with a broad range of
individuals and services.
Efficient word processing, PowerPoint and Excel computer skills.
Sensitivity to and an understanding of particular needs of clients from CALD
backgrounds.
.
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KEY RESULT AREAS
KRA1
Assist clients to achieve positive outcomes
KRA2
Work pro-actively and collaboratively with various disciplines across Primary
Care, Counselling Services and Oral Health and as a MonashLink Staff Member.
KRA3
Meet target requirements specified by MonashLink from the Department of
Human Services Funding & Service Agreement (FASA).
KRA4
All client documentation completed in accordance with the Health Records Policy
and associated procedures and to meet legislative requirements
KRA5
Statistics are accurate and completed within agreed timeframes as per
MonashLink TRAK/IRIS accountability policy.
KRA6
Demonstrate high professional standards as outlined by MonashLink’s Code of
Conduct
KRA7
Undertake professional development and education
KRA 8 Contribute to quality improvement in line with accreditation standards
Service Values
The values of MonashLink will be demonstrated by:
Caring for our community and for the people who use our services
Listening to people who need our services and who we advocate for our community
Providing accessible, innovative, and high quality services and programs
Partnering with other organisations to ensure the development and delivery of better
services.
Approved:……………………….…………………………………
Carmel Fox
Counselling Services Manager
MonashLink Community Health Service Ltd
I acknowledge and agree that the above position description is an accurate reflection of the
role of Chinese Speaking Family Services Counsellor.
Signed: ……………………………………………………..……..
Employee
Name:…………………………………………………….………..
Date:……………………………..
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