AOD Clinician – Shellharbour

Is this you?

• Passionate about supporting individuals in the justice system through assessment and counselling?
• Have extensive experience within the AOD field and excited to make a real, positive difference in a new program?
• Seeking a rewarding role with competitive perks, flexible working arrangements, and a supportive organisation that values your growth and wellbeing?

At ACSO, we look for people who believe in second chances, who share our values and are passionate about supporting forensic clients to re integrate back into the community. If this sounds like you, read on!

What ACSO can offer you

• Full time, permanent positions available. Shellharbour location!
• $82,063.28 base salary + 11% superannuation + NFP salary packaging options (more after tax $ in your pocket!)
• Annual leave loading of 17.5%
• Phone, laptop, and provisions to help set you up at home
• Learning and development opportunities – including access to ACSO’s leadership development program and a dedicated leadership coach. In house training suite in complex presentations, risk assessment and management, compulsory treatment, ASSIST, MHFA, Trauma informed practice, personality disorders and more
• Flexible working arrangements – includes options for an accrued day off or compressed hours, and the opportunity to work from home on a hybrid model with our Shellharbour hub
• Career progression opportunities – leadership development programs and coaching, supervision training, opportunities for internal consultancy or secondments to other programs, and training to progress to Authorised Program Officer (APO)
• Wellbeing initiatives – such as free flu vaccines, wellbeing and professional development vouchers, Employee Assistance Program and Reward and Recognition Program. Our employees matter!
• Dedicated inclusion and diversity initiatives to support employees from all backgrounds and dispositions, including specialised leave for cultural ceremonies or gender affirmation

About Us

The Australian Community Support Organisation (ACSO) is a vibrant, values driven NFP, focused on partnering with Government and the community to co-design services that create real social change. We are an organisation with a bold vision to create a safe and inclusive community where prison truly is the last resort. Our purpose is to strengthen the wellbeing of our communities by advocating for and delivering services which divert people away from the justice system.

The Australian Community Support Organisation recognises the right to a safe and inclusive service without bias. ACSO is committed to the equitable treatment of its participants, employees and partners. We believe in humanity and celebrating the diverse voices of our community through leadership, practice and policy design, to honour and embrace diverse traditions, cultures and experiences of those we support and work alongside.

About the role

The AOD Clinician will conduct comprehensive alcohol and other drug (AOD) forensic assessments of clients over the phone, in person, or via Telehealth, to develop treatment formulations and recommendations for further AOD-related treatment, such as counselling, care coordination, and/or residential services.

They will provide bridging support, to engage and support a client via a harm reduction approach, while the client is waiting for formal treatment services to begin either within the NSW AOD team, or externally.

Brief intervention may be utilised in instances where further formal treatment options are not necessary, with appropriate services suggested to facilitate further care and support as needed. The AOD clinician is responsible for providing evidence-based therapeutic counselling to clients to elicit behaviour change and AOD harm reduction with the aims of better overall health and wellbeing.

What we’re looking for

• 2+ years’ prior experience in the AOD, mental health or forensic sectors, working with complex clients, including the delivery of AOD treatment interventions and therapeutic approaches.
• Eligibility to enter New South Wales (NSW) prisons.
• A contemporary understanding of the biopsychosocial model of addiction and a sound knowledge of substances and their effects on human physiology, psychology, and offending behaviours.
• Demonstrated skills in administering a comprehensive alcohol and drug assessment, and formulating findings utilising strong report writing skills.
• Demonstrated experience in providing evidenced-based counselling (e.g., Motivational Enhancement Therapy and Motivational Interviewing, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Mindfulness-Based Relapse Prevention, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, etc.) to clients tailored through assessment and formulation of client centred treatment planning.
• A contemporary understanding and approach in working with individuals who have co-occurring mental health and alcohol and other drug issues (i.e., dual diagnosis) or other co-occurring complexities (e.g., ABI and other disabilities).
• Well-developed communication skills including conflict management and the ability to liaise with clients over the phone and in person and liaise with a range of health and other professionals, and the ability to work with a culturally and linguistically diverse client population, including Indigenous Australians and the LGBTIQ+ community.
• Demonstrated organisational, time management skills to deliver a quality service to clients, as well as demonstrated ability to handle complex situations.
• Sound understanding of client risk management and risk assessment practices.
• A working knowledge of the relevant and current legislation relating to the client group including the Mental Health Act and Privacy Act.
• An ability to adhere to policy and procedure such as privacy, confidentiality and workplace health and safety.
• Strong and demonstrated commitment and alignment to the ACSO Vision, Values and Mission.

Desirable but not essential:

• Holds registration with a regulatory health practitioner body such as AHPRA.
• Current accreditation or knowledge in naloxone provision and administration.
• Experience working with clients in contact with or at risk of contact with the criminal justice system.

How to Apply

If you think you’d be a great fit – we’d love to hear from you!

To apply and view the position description (PD), please visit our careers website and provide a copy of your resume, a brief covering letter and a document outlining responses to the selection criteria found in the PD.

As ACSO is an NDIS provider, the successful candidate must hold an NDIS Worker Screening Check Clearance before they commence employment in this position.

To learn more about this position, please contact Rob Biviano, Program Manager, on 0429 929 761.

Applications are likely to close early if a suitable candidate is found sooner, so we recommend applying early!

ACSO proudly acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as Australia’s first peoples and pay respect to their rich culture, lores, customs and elders past and present. We strongly embrace the spirit of reconciliation and continue working towards ensuring an equal voice of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, particularly those who have been touched by the justice system.

ACSO recognises the right to a safe and inclusive service without bias and aims to provide a safe working environment, one which seeks to protect those affected by domestic and family violence and holds those who may use domestic and family violence to account, whilst supporting positive behaviour change.

ACSO embraces diversity within its workforce and encourages applications from appropriately qualified and skilled people regardless of their background. All suitable applicants for this role will be considered regardless of age, ability, race, gender expression, sex, cultural background, spiritual beliefs or lived experience.