Job Description

Job Title Counsellor Educator /TC Worker

Location Mixed Gender ProgramRick Hammersley Centre Therapeutic Community

Award Status Cyrenian House Enterprise Agreement 2012-2016

Classification Level 4-5

Reporting Relationships

Job FunctionThe Counsellor Educator / TC Worker works within the Therapeutic Community to provide a professional Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) Service to residents. The TC Worker is required to work in the context of a Therapeutic Community through counselling, education, mediation and support.

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Mixed Gender Coordinator

This Position

Duties and Responsibilities

Counselling, Mediation and Case Management Provide counselling and information to residents and significant others,

providing treatment that is multidimensional involving therapy, education, values and skills development; identify a resident’s presenting issues and underlying areas of concern.

Provide counselling that empowers and enhances the functioning of residents in accordance with program guidelines.

Support a staged-approach program for residents with a focus on assessment, treatment, transition and/or re-entry, respectively.

Respond appropriately to residents in crisis situations by supporting organisational rules, policies and procedures.

Facilitate the referral process of residents to suitable programs/agencies and assist in engagement of the resident where necessary; Follow-up residents to monitor progress and provide further assistance as directed by the Program Coordinator.

Mediate between residents and their families to resolve conflict and negotiate agreed goals and actions when required.

Supervise urine collection of same sex residents.

Group Work, Education and Training Facilitate established groups to provide information and education that

promotes confidence and skills development to support resident’s health, lifestyle change and personal growth.

Develop appropriate and relevant evidenced - based group material as directed by the Program Coordinator.

Manage conflict and respond appropriately to group needs using the Community as Method model; strengthen resident’s involvement and communication skills using the Community as Method model.

Provide a safe and supportive group environment for residents to express and respond to their emotions and gain understanding of issues relating to their alcohol and other drug use; encourage therapeutic interactions between resident members that support positive change and personal development.

Develop positive co-facilitation relationships with peers through the exchange of feedback, encouraging an open and safe team environment.

Representation and Networking Develop and maintain a working knowledge of AOD services, and other

relevant agencies/services; represent and advocate on behalf of residents where necessary.

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Actively liaise with relevant persons and agencies where appropriate; attend interagency networking groups as directed.

Teamwork and Agency Development Provide handover information to staff coming on duty, highlighting any incidents

and/or other matters of concern. Provide peer support and share expertise with other team members and

agency staff; support and assist in training new staff and address students and visitors.

Actively contribute to staff meetings, clinical supervision, AOD training sessions and ongoing professional development; participate in agency planning and team building workshops.

Actively contribute to the continuous quality improvement. Contribute to the development, implementation and evaluation of the

Therapeutic Community model and service delivery policies and procedures. Maintain appropriate levels of skills and knowledge of drug trends, through

training and research. An understanding of your own personal strengths and weaknesses; the ability

to demonstrate self-care in the workplace. Teamwork skills to work cooperatively with other staff members, including a

willingness to resolve conflict.

Administration and Supervision Prepare for and actively participate in regular supervision sessions. Assist in supervising students on placement and volunteer workers. Maintain resident files; prepare concise and accurate notes and other resident

related administrative duties. Prepare concise and accurate reports for courts and various agencies (e.g.

Department of Child Protection, Department of Corrective Services, etc.) as necessary to support resident progress.

Have knowledge of the SIMS database related documentation and its purpose. Undertake other office management procedures as directed by the Program

Coordinator. Ensure privacy and confidentiality is maintained in all areas.

Working in a Therapeutic Community The role of staff in Therapeutic Communities is not the same as that may be expected at other AOD services. Although there is a therapeutic intervention provided by staff through counselling and group facilitation, they (the staff) are not expected to be the major agent for change. This is the responsibility of the whole community. Staff roles are to support the Community as Method process. Staff may involve themselves in activities such as recreation, meal preparation, dining and

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chores, on an equal footing with residents, as a means of emphasising their membership of the community and their participation as role models.

Staff are expected to: Participate actively in all aspects of the community, ensuring a safe

environment and positive functioning of the TC is developed and maintained. Support the integration of residents into the community, encouraging resident

participation and interaction in the community. Interact with residents in formal and informal contexts whilst maintaining clear

boundaries. Interact with residents informally during daily activities to help establish a

relationship that facilitates therapeutic interactions. Relinquish control to support resident empowerment, providing objective

facilitation and recognising that the community and not they (the staff member) are the major change factor for residents.

Act as role models for residents in the TC, supporting shared community values. Offer personal experience where appropriate whilst maintaining professional

boundaries. Challenge, and deal well with confrontation, role modelling appropriate

responses.

Selection Criteria

Counsellor Educator /Therapeutic Community Worker

Essential Degree in Social, Behavioural, Education, Health Sciences or equivalent experience

and training in the AOD area. Ability to assert oneself effectively and maintain clear, professional boundaries. Experience in working with difficult, complex, coerced, and comorbid AOD

client load. A sound knowledge of AOD and related issues. Ability to work well with Aboriginal people. Demonstrated counselling and problem solving skills. Good verbal, written and communication skills. Good organisational and time management skills; reliable and punctual. Computer literacy and word processing skills. Current “C” class driver’s license. Working with children clearance. National Police Certificate.

Desirable

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Experience working for a health or community services organisation and/or equivalent experience.

Experience in group facilitation and presentation. Experience of working in a Therapeutic Community. An understanding of working within a culturally secure framework. An experiential knowledge of alcohol and other drug addiction. First Aid Certificate.

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