Position Description
Position Title
Clinical Consultant
Program
Intake and Assessment
Status
Full time
Tenure
30 June 2015 with possibility of extending
Reports to
Catchment Manager
Location
Inner 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 Clinical consultant is central to the achievement of catchment wide integration for assessment
and treatment planning. The Clinical Consultant leads the Intake and Assessment and Care and
Recovery teams and the clinical review process ensuring a consistent multi-disciplinary approach
to treatment planning, resource allocation and client classification for clients with AOD issues.
Key Responsibilities
Provision of treatment services
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Provide high quality engagement, assessment, treatment and support services to individuals
and their families, using best practice principles including Family Inclusive Practice and Dual
Diagnosis principles
Develop and take responsibility for the clinical tool used to classify clients as standard and
complex and ensure consistency across the catchment via the clinical review process.
Oversee and coordinate the review of all assessments and treatment planning across the
catchment through daily clinical reviews including:
o Ensuring consistent decisions are made in regards to client classifications (complex
or standard) and prioritising those with greatest needs,
o Ensuring effective and efficient allocation of resources, including approval of
provision of Care and Recovery if required,
o Endorsing and or making recommended changes to treatment plans, ensuring that
they adhere to relevant standards, that they are client driven and reflect an
individualised, recovery based model of support,
o Ensuring the provision of effective pre-treatment support where required,
o Providing re-assessment clinical reviews for clients whose needs change.
Maintain awareness and track client progress throughout their treatment journey.
Monitor waiting lists for assessment and treatment and report to senior management as
required.
Responsibility for development and efficient running of the assessment roster.
Professional Liaison and Consultation
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Provide clinical expertise and secondary consultation to staff to assist with screening,
assessment and treatment planning for clients presenting within the catchment.
Develop and maintain collaborative and productive working relationships with General
Practitioners, mental health services, family services and other stakeholders.
Participate in team planning, steering groups, reference groups and working parties inside
and outside the agency as appropriate.
Maintain regular communication and feedback with the Catchment Manager and the
wider organisation regarding clinical issues such as waiting lists and client management.
Leadership
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Provide strategic direction, leadership and innovation in regards to the provision of clinical
services.
Engage in research projects and service reviews that enhance the development and
provision of clinical services.
Take an active role to ensure all procedures and relevant systems necessary for the smooth
running of Intake and Assessment 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
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Actively participate in ongoing professional development via the annual performance
review process, individual and group supervision and by attending relevant training as
required.
Provide supervision to staff involved in Intake and Assessment team, Triage and Care &
Recovery Coordination.
Support the student placement program and supervise students as requested.
Quality Assurance
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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 to 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.
Administration
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Maintain up to date progress notes, case files and data entry in a confidential manner.
Actively participate in the revision and development of policies, clinical guidelines and
treatment programs.
Adhere to site specific policies and procedures where applicable.
Provide real-time system monitoring and catchment wide AOD data.
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:
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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
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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
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Experience in the provision of treatment services preferably with AOD or dual diagnosis
clients.
Experience in therapeutic approaches such as: Motivational Enhancement Therapy,
Cognitive Behavioural Coping Skills Training, Family Inclusive Practice, self-help groups,
Community Reinforcement Approaches.
Proven ability to work with a range of people and organisations (including specific work
groups such as Aboriginal, CALD and Forensic clients) in a non-judgemental and respectful
manner.
Highly developed communication, mediation and negotiation skills (including the ability to
resolve conflict and solve complex problems) with a range of people, including service
users, families, staff, General Practitioners, mental health professionals and other key
stakeholders.
Highly developed alcohol and other drug assessment and treatment planning skills
Sound knowledge and understanding of screening, assessment, withdrawal and community
based treatment for clients with AOD and mental health issues.
Comprehensive knowledge of the relevant legislation, related policy and awareness of
current trends in AOD service delivery.
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Ability to prepare correspondence, written reports and statistical data within established
timeframes.
Demonstrated understanding of community-based interventions for reducing alcohol and
drug related harm.
Ability to provide leadership and 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
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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
Empowerment
Respect
Social Justice
Integrity
Affirming the possibility of change for all
Seeking to enhance people’s strengths and enabling people to speak and act for
themselves.
Accepting all people as they are and acting with compassion, empathy and
fairness
Supporting the right of all people to be treated equitably and with dignity
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
 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