Position Title Counselling Coordinator
Program
Status
Tenure
Reports to
Location
Counselling/Assessment
Full time
30 June 2018
Catchment Manager
North Catchment
Classification ReGen Collective Agreement (Senior AOD Counsellor)
Date May 2014
Position Overview
To ensure integrated catchment wide planning and service provision this position works with the
Catchment Manager to ensure a consistent catchment wide response to clients requiring AOD treatment and support. The role works in an integrated and coordinated fashion with AOD service streams (Intake and Assessment, Counselling, Care Coordination, Non Residential and Residential
Withdrawal, Residential Rehabilitation and Youth services) as well as related sectors to provide an integrated catchment wide service response.
The overall aim of this position is to ensure the effective functioning of the counselling and assessment team and to coordinate the administration and delivery of the counselling and assessment program.
The primary focus of the Counselling Coordinator is to provide planning, administration monitoring and program coordination support to ensure effective service delivery across the Catchment. The
Counselling Coordinator will play an important role in ensuring the highest quality of assessment and counselling services are provided to those affected by Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) use.
This role will provide coordination and support to a multidisciplinary team of counselling/assessment staff, ensuring that best practice services are adhered to as well as managing their own caseload.
Key Responsibilities
Provision of services
 Evaluate and report on the overall performance of counselling program.
 Assist the catchment manager as needed with the development and implementation of action plans, budgets and professional development plans for the counselling program.
 Develop appropriate operational manuals, policies and procedures for the counselling service, including referral and assessment procedures.
 Coordinate the administration of the service delivery of the Counselling Program according to agency policies and procedures and funding body requirements.
 Ensure that client, counsellors and program goals are met in accordance with established program policies and procedures, agency expectations, funding guidelines and legislation.
 In consultation with the catchment manager coordinate the counselling and assessment function across the catchment including those employed by partner agencies.
 Assist the Catchment Manager in ensuring the counselling team is adequately resourced
 and ensuring new staff are appropriately inducted, trained and supported.
Take responsibility for case management systems, including referral, intake and assessment, allocation, reviews and data collection.
 Act as point of contact for the Counselling Team/Program for external stakeholders.

 Maintain the required clinical caseload and meet associated agency and funding body administrative requirements (record keeping, statistical data entry).
 Maintain and monitor the counselling program statistical data collection systems and ensure effective and efficient procedures are in place to meet reporting requirements.
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 Coordinate and collate annual client feedback forms for counselling services.
 Assume responsibility for the day to day operation of the Counselling Team and the delegation of specific responsibilities to key members of staff.
Assist with referrals, assessments, and client counselling work as necessary.
Manage and maintain the counselling waiting list.
 Develop and distribute rosters for assessment function, after hours work as required
 Maintain a small caseload of clients including developing treatment plans and providing effective counselling interventions to meet the individual needs of clients, including those with complex needs, and their families.
 Provide high quality engagement, assessment, treatment and support services to individuals and their families, using best practice guidelines including Family Inclusive Practice and
Dual Diagnosis principles.
Professional Liaison and Consultation
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 Maintain an effective and collaborative relationship with the Clinical Consultant to ensure effective provision of the Intake and Assessment function and the integration of services with the counselling function.
Work closely with C&RC to ensure service provision to those with complex needs.
Provide secondary consultation services for staff and external stakeholders as required.
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 Establish and maintain collaborative and productive working relationships with current and potential stakeholders and partners, both internally and externally.
 Participate in team planning, steering groups, reference groups and working parties inside and outside the agency as appropriate.
Act as a representative in forums and related interagency meetings as required.
Maintain regular communication and feedback with the Catchment Manager and the wider organisation regarding counselling issues.
Leadership
 Provide strategic direction, leadership and innovation in regards to the provision of counselling services.
 Engage in research projects and service reviews that enhance the development and provision of counselling services.
 Take an active role to ensure all procedures and relevant systems necessary for the smooth running of counselling services across the catchment are implemented, understood and adhered to on an ongoing basis.
 Contribute to internal and external committees and working groups aimed at enhancing service responsiveness.
Supervision and professional development
 Provide supervision and support to the counselling team and promote collaborative team work across partner agencies.
 Actively participate in ongoing professional development via the annual performance review process, individual and group supervision and by attending relevant training as
 required.
Support the student placement program and supervise students as requested.

Quality Assurance
 Contribute to the achievement of quality improvement, both in terms of individual and program performance by encouraging an environment where high quality work is achieved and supported by the adherence to/development of quality systems documentation
 Promote a legislative compliance culture throughout the organisation, and ensure that staff within your department is fully conversant with relevant laws, regulations, industry codes and policies/procedures that may impact on their day-to-day activities.
 Monitor compliance with legislative requirements and risk management strategies within area of responsibility, and report breaches and incidents to the Responsible Officer and/or other Officers as required
 Participate in Clinical Governance Committee to formulate, monitor and implement changes in clinical practice, workforce development and risk management across the organisation.
 Contribute to internal audits as required.
Administration
 Ensure adequate systems are in place so all counselling records are maintained according to legislative requirements.
 Ensure the maintenance of up to date progress notes, case files and data entry across the team, and that they are kept in a confidential manner.
 Ensure accurate and up to date records are kept regarding operational activity ie:
Timesheets, meeting minutes, supervision records etc.
 Assist in the preparation and writing of relevant reports.
 Contribute to the development, implementation and review of agency and program policy and procedures
 Adhere to site specific policies and procedures where applicable.
 Undertake other duties as directed by the catchment manager.
Behaviours and Attitudes
Whilst executing the key responsibilities you are expected to demonstrate the following attitudes and behaviours:
 Understanding of the philosophy of harm minimisation.
 Teamwork & Collaboration: Work effectively with team members and work groups to accomplish organisational and team goals; respect the needs and contribution of others.
 Innovation: Generate creative solutions, be proactive and a self-starter, seize opportunities and act upon them, to achieve better outcomes for our agency, clients and stakeholders.
 Creativity and Flexibility: Be adaptable, receptive to new ideas, respond and adjust easily to changing work demands and circumstances.
 Life-long learning: Recognise that ongoing professional development and skill enhancement is necessary in order to contribute to the growth of knowledge within the agency.
 Leadership: Be solution focused and, proactive. Work collaboratively with others and
 recognise, acknowledge and nurture their abilities.
Communication: Effectively express ideas in individual and group situations, adjusting language or terminology to the needs of the audience.
 Health & Safety: Carry out tasks with an awareness of Health and Safety concerning self, others and their environment.

Key Selection Criteria
Qualifications
 Relevant health and or welfare Tertiary Qualification such as Social Work, Psychology,
Nursing or Allied Health Sciences.
 Certificate IV in AOD or have completed the required competencies (or able to complete within the first 12 months of employment).
 Maintain registration with a relevant professional body (eg AHPRA).
 Competencies in dual diagnosis (or able to complete within the first 24 months of employment).
 Competencies/training in providing clinical supervision (or complete within the first 12 months of employment).
Note: refer to appendix A for details on competencies
Skills and Experience
 Extensive experience in the provision of counselling services preferably with AOD or dual diagnosis clients.
 Significant experience in therapeutic approaches such as: Motivational Enhancement
Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Coping Skills Training, Family Inclusive Practice, self-help groups, Community Reinforcement Approaches.
 Demonstrated experience in program coordination
 Proven leadership ability to direct effective counselling services and to motivate and
 develop counsellors towards excellence in their jobs.
Demonstrated understanding of community-based interventions for reducing alcohol and drug related harm.
 Proven ability to work with a range of people and organisations (including specific work
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 groups such as Aboriginal, CALD and Forensic clients) in a non-judgemental and respectful manner.
Strong organisational, reporting and administrative skills.
Previous experience in providing effective leadership and clinical supervision to others.
 A demonstrated commitment to teamwork and the ability to take appropriate individual and team responsibility for the welfare of clients.
 Ability to convey warmth, openness, empathy and concern for the welfare of clients.
 Ability to collaborate effectively with clients, families, colleagues, stakeholders and other service providers.
 Current Driver’s License.
Employment Conditions
 Employees must be willing and able to travel during the course of fulfilling the duties of their position, and may be required to operate out of various ReGen locations.
 To ensure we offer accessible services to clients and families, ReGen offers some programs that are outside of normal business hours. Employees in these programs are required to be available to work after hours as agreed with their supervisor.
 All employees are required to undergo a police check and those in clinical positions a working with children check. Any offer of employment is subject to the result of these checks.
 Employees in clinical positions are required to maintain up to date first aid and CPR training.
 Employees are required to familiarise themselves with and abide by ReGen policies, procedures, guidelines, operating manuals and relevant legislative compliance requirements.
 Employees are subject to the terms and conditions as per the relevant ReGen Collective
Agreement.

 ReGen is an equal opportunity employer and committed to the provision of a child-safe organisation.
Organisation Profile
ReGen is the leading alcohol and other drug (AOD) treatment and education agency of Uniting
Care Victoria and Tasmania.
ReGen exists to promote wellbeing and reduce the harm from problematic alcohol and other drug
(AOD) use. Our services are consistent with the harm minimisation framework that underpins the national and state drug strategies. In keeping with these strategies we are committed to minimising the health, social and economic harms to individuals, families and communities resulting from alcohol and other drug use. ReGen provides evidence-based programs that integrate established research findings with over 40 years’ experience in service delivery.
Our Values
Hope Affirming the possibility of change for all
Empowerment Seeking to enhance people’s strengths and enabling people to speak and act for themselves.
Respect Accepting all people as they are and acting with compassion, empathy and fairness
Social Justice Supporting the right of all people to be treated equitably and with dignity
Integrity Upholding honesty, openness and responsibility in all our actions
Appendix A
AOD and Dual Diagnosis Competencies
The competencies required in the first 12 months are;
 CHCAOD402B: Work effectively in the alcohol and other drugs sector
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CHCAOD406E: Work with clients who are intoxicated
CHCAOD408B: Assess the needs of clients with alcohol and/or other drug issues
 CHCMH401A: Work effectively in mental health settings
 CHCCS521: Assess and respond to individuals at risk of suicide
The competencies required in the first 24 months are;
 CCHCMH504E: Provide a range of services to people with mental health issues
 CHCAOD510B: Work effectively with clients with complex alcohol and other drug issues
 CHCAOD511C: Provide advanced interventions to meet the needs of clients with alcohol and/or other drug issues