Honesty      Trust      Respect      Concern      Love

Senior Youth AOD Outreach & Schools Engagement Clinician  

• Full-time, two year fixed-term contract.
• Based at Barwon.  
• $99,631.02 per annum, plus super
• 17.5% annual leave loading and generous salary packaging options
• Progressive Workplace Flexibility options that enable genuine work life balance
• Will be provided with an OV Laptop, OV Mobile Phone and OV Maintained Motor Vehicle

About Odyssey Victoria:

Odyssey Victoria (OV) is a place of hope and positive change for individuals working towards breaking their pattern of addiction. At Odyssey we believe that every person should have the opportunity to change and grow. Our diverse teams work with individuals, families, and communities to reduce alcohol and other drug (AOD) use, improve mental health, and reconnect people to their family and the community. OV is a dynamic and fast-growing organisation committed to excellence in service provision and innovation in responding to alcohol and other drugs use problems.

Role Purpose:

The Senior Youth AOD Outreach & Schools Engagement Clinician provides evidence-based, client-centred interventions and support to young people aged 12–25 impacted by harmful alcohol and other drug (AOD) use. This role focuses on young people who may be experimenting with substances or using regularly and where substance use is impacting their education, as well as those who may be disengaged from school, employment, or involved with youth justice or child protection systems.

Key areas of focus:

• Service delivery & Stakeholder Engagement
• Continuous Improvement & Professional Development

Duties include but are not limited to…

• Reduce the harm associated with alcohol and drug use among young people.
• Enhance young people's understanding of harm reduction strategies that align with their lifestyle, encouraging sustained behaviour that minimises drug-related harm.
• Deliver a comprehensive range of treatment and support services, including assessment, referral, individual, group, and family counselling, outreach, and case management for youth experiencing challenges related to alcohol and drug use. This may involve customised therapeutic interventions, secondary consultations, education, and training; and referring clients to suitable community or residential AOD treatment providers as needed.
• Marketing of the service and identification of the target group.
• Delivery of student education programs aimed at behaviour changes, imparting information and education and support.
• Develop and implement programs that are tailored to the specific needs of young people, ensuring they are accessible and flexible in scheduling.
• Provide relevant support, information, and guidance to carers and families of young individuals dealing with alcohol and drug issues.
• Offer secondary consultations to other services working with young people, such as Child Protection, Youth Justice, Mental Health, Adolescent Community Placement, and Out of Home Care. Assist staff with background assessments and the development, implementation, and evaluation of appropriate treatment and support for AOD-related issues.

For a copy of the position description which outlines the full list of responsibilities, please click HERE.
 

Who are WE looking for?

To be successful in this role, you must hold the below qualifications/experience…

1. Relevant health and or welfare Tertiary/Degree Qualification e.g., in Social Work, Psychology, Nursing or Allied Health Sciences or an Associate Diploma with substantial experience
2. Certificate IV in AOD or have completed the required competencies (or able to complete within the first 12 months of employment).*
3. Knowledge of dual diagnosis or willingness to undertake further training in this area.

*Note: refer to Appendix A for details on competencies

4. Extensive experience in working with young people, specifically in AOD, dual diagnosis and other categories of complex clients including homelessness, school disengagement, trauma, abuse, juvenile justice, out-of-home care, child protection and family breakdown.
5. Experience in providing outreach support to young people.
6. Proven skills in AOD assessment, Individual Treatment Plans and case management.
7. Experience in working with young people and families from diverse backgrounds, including ATSI, CALD and LGBTI communities.
8. Knowledge of available interventions and support services appropriate to the target group.
9. Proven ability to develop and collaborate effectively with service providers and stakeholders.
10. A demonstrated commitment to teamwork and the ability to take appropriate individual and team responsibility for the welfare of clients.
11. Highly developed verbal and written communication skills, including capacity to maintain file records and data collection processes to a high professional standard.
12. A desire to be innovative, creative and learn new skills.

For a copy of the position description which outlines the full key selection criteria, please click HERE.
 

*Appendix A (AOD Competencies)

OV requires staff in clinical positions to have the following competencies (or their equivalent). Where people do not already have these competencies, OV will invest in the staff’s professional development by providing them through our registered training organisation (RTO).

The competencies required in the first 12 months of employment are:

• CHCAOD001 – Work in an alcohol and other drugs context
• CHCAOD004 – Assess needs of clients with alcohol and other drugs issues
• CHCAOD006 – Provide interventions for people with alcohol and other drugs issues
• CHCAOD009 – Develop and review individual alcohol and other drugs treatment plans

What we can give YOU!

In return we are committed to offering you an inclusive and transparent workplace culture where our people can develop to be their very best by:  

• Ongoing learning and development opportunities to upskill your clinical capabilities.
• Providing work that is meaningful and challenging, with career development opportunities through project and secondment opportunities and succession planning
• Providing career pathways across diverse OHV programs.
• Access to 24/7 counselling through our Employee Assistance Provider (EAP)
• Generous leave options such as 48/52 Purchase Leave, Study Leave and Sabbaticals
• Flexible working arrangements such as monthly RDO’s for full-timers (arrangements will vary based on role requirements).

In addition to the above, staff will also be provided monthly Clinical Supervision sessions for professional development and personal wellbeing.

Application information

Please apply directly via our careers website (applications via external recruitment websites or via email will not be considered)

Applications should be addressed to Nicholas Morgan and include your CV and a cover letter addressing the key selection criteria. 

If you have any questions relating to the position, please contact Nicholas Morgan, Operations Manager – AOD Programs - Barwon on NMorgan@odyssey.org.au or 0466 319 468.

We will be assessing applications on a rolling basis and suitable candidates will be shortlisted immediately. This role will close once a suitable candidate has been selected, so please don’t wait to apply! 

Our commitment to diversity

At OV we value diversity and believe that a range of backgrounds brings a variety of ideas, perspectives and experiences that will enhance our effectiveness. We promote a workplace that actively seeks to include, welcome and value unique contributions by encouraging people with disability, Aboriginal Australians, LGBTQIA, young people and people from culturally diverse backgrounds to apply for this position.

Safety screening

OV is committed to child safety and is a child safe organisation. All OV employees must undergo Police Records and Working with Children Checks. Any person issued with a negative notice on their Working with Children Check will not be eligible for employment with us.

Mandatory COVID vaccinations

In line with OV's Mandatory Vaccination Policy, all Odyssey Victoria staff are required to hold Fully Vaccinated (Boosted) status, having also received the Booster Vaccination. Evidence of this minimum of three (3) COVID-19 vaccinations will be requested during the onboarding process and offers will be rescinded where such evidence cannot be provided.

All Odyssey Victoria sites are smoke free for all employees.