Community Support Worker – Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD)

Community Support Worker – Alcohol and Other Drugs

Position: Community Support Worker – Alcohol and Other Drugs

Location: Bagot Clinic                  

Duration: Full time, fixed term until 30 June 2025

Classification: $70,993 - $76,403 per annum (HPCS 2.1 – 2.4)

This position is identified for an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person and is intended to constitute a special measure under section 8 (1) of the Racial Discrimination Act 1975 (Cth), and section 57 of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1996 (NT).

Job description

The primary focus of the Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD) Community Support Worker (CSW) is to work with the AOD team to assist indigenous clients to access health care services including residential treatment and rehabilitation services.

WHO ARE WE?

Established in 1991, Danila Dilba Health Service (DDHS) is an Aboriginal community-controlled organisation committed to providing culturally appropriate, comprehensive primary health care services and community development within the Biluru (Aboriginal) community of the Yilli Rreung (Greater Darwin) Region in the Northern Territory.

We work to address the social determinants of health including the broader issues that affect our people’s health, through evidence-based research and public advocacy. We also work to empower individuals, families, and communities to optimise their health.

WHAT WILL YOU FOCUS ON?

The primary focus of the Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD) Community Support Worker (CSW) is to work with the AOD team to assist indigenous clients to access health care services including residential treatment and rehabilitation services. The AOD CSW is expected to provide information, education, motivational interviewing, advocacy, assessments, and brief interventions in clinical and outreach settings, to encourage clients to modify their substance use habits and support to undertake AOD treatment and rehabilitation where relevant.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Program Delivery

• Provide support to individual clients and families to improve access to relevant health care services including AOD residential rehabilitation and treatment services.
• Provide ongoing support to clients whilst they undertake rehabilitation and treatment for AOD issues including the provision of post residential rehabilitation relapse prevention support to clients and their families.
• Assist in the planning and delivery of diversionary activities to individuals and families to encourage them to modify their AOD habits.
• Establish and maintain networks with internal stakeholders and external agencies to facilitate client access to relevant services such as housing, Centrelink etc.
• Participate in weekly intake meetings and contribute to the capture of information for reporting purposes.
• Assist and participate in the program planning, delivery, and evaluation of the health promotion and education under the banner of Deadly Choices.
• Maintain accurate, legible, and up-to-date client records using the Patient Information and Recall System (Communicare).
• To work in partnership with other DDHS program areas to provide a holistic approach to better client care.

Performance

• Complete and participate in regular formal and informal performance feedback and improvement sessions.
• Demonstrate responsibility for own development through participation in all learning opportunities.
• Actively model DDHS Code of Conduct Policy and demonstrate appropriate and professional workplace behaviours, help team members as required and undertake other key responsibilities or activities as reasonably directed.

Communication and Teamwork

• Effectively communicate with a multidisciplinary team including clients and external service providers to ensure external stakeholder services to clients.
• Maintain a positive work environment along with harmonious and cooperative relationships with all employees, and clients.
• Develop and maintain effective relationships internally and externally.
• Represent DDHS in a variety of settings ensuring the organisation’s brand is protected and enhanced.
• Maintain professional work ethics and participate in staff meetings.

Safe Practice and Environment

• Conduct all activities in a manner consistent with national health accreditation standards, DDHS Occupational (Work) Health and Safety Policy and procedures.
• Proactively address WH&S hazards, incidents, and injuries.

Quality

• Identify and make recommendations on opportunities to improve processes, quality, and service delivery outcomes.
• Participate in the development of quality procedures and contribute to internal and external program reviews as required.
• Implement/follow the DDHS incident and complaint investigation policies.
• Comply with DDHS Privacy and Confidentiality of Health Information Policy.
• Ensure all documentation, records management and the health information system database are maintained and completed in accordance with established standards, policies, and protocols to ensure continuity of care.

Organisational Responsibilities

• Build and maintain awareness and understanding of the DDHS strategic plan.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of strategies designed to meet organisational objectives.
• Adhere to all organisational policies, procedures, standards, and practices e.g., Information and records management, confidentiality.
• Act only in ways that advance DDHS objectives, values, and reputation and with honesty, integrity and good faith.
• Other duties as required, consistent with skills and experience, as directed by the Supervisor.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Essential

• Demonstrated experience working in or delivering AOD/Community Services to Indigenous people in an outreach setting.
• Demonstrated experience working with indigenous people and the ability to communicate effectively and in a culturally appropriately manner.
• Ability to undertake work in the community with demonstrated ability to communicate appropriately with a range of health/welfare clients and colleagues, including providing written correspondence to supervisors when required.
• Ability to plan and deliver culturally appropriate services or Community events and activities which strengthen community capacity so that families can provide for family members with minimum dependence on external agencies; and,
• Demonstrated written skills in the preparation of detailed reports, general correspondence, and documentations as well as demonstrated computer skills with the ability to enter information into client history notes.

Desirable

• Relevant qualifications in AOD or Community Services
• Good Understanding of the support services available to indigenous people in the Darwin and Palmerston area.

CONTACT AND APPLICATION INFORMATION

For further information please contact Jessica Pocock (Acting Senior Manager SEWB) 08 8942 5400

We ask that you supply the following documentation in your application to assist the hiring managers with their decision making.  

• Police check or willingness to obtain one.
• Current Working with Children Clearance (Ochre Card) or the ability and willingness to obtain one.
• Current CPR certificate or the preparedness to gain one within 6 months of commencement. 
• Full vaccination against Covid-19 or evidence of exemption as listed on the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR)
• Current drivers’ license
• Work right documents (Australian passport/birth certificate OR international passport with visa).

DDHS Expectations

• Contribute to the efficient and effective functioning of their team or work unit to meet the organisation’s objectives. This includes demonstrating appropriate and professional workplace behaviours in accordance with the Code of Conduct, assisting team members if required and undertaking other key responsibilities or activities as directed by one’s supervisors.
• Read, understand, and comply with all DDHS policies and procedures.
• Be aware of the requirements of the DDHS’s risk management framework; identifying, assessing, managing, and escalating risks; and exercising a duty of care.
• Work at and travel between other DDHS locations may be required from time to time.
• Complete all mandatory training as required by DDHS.
• Demonstrate understanding of the principles of anti-discrimination, staff and trainee’s equity, work health and safety and other relevant legislation, and show the willingness and capacity to implement equal employment opportunity and work health and safety plans, policies, and programs.

Work Health & Safety

• Ensure all activities comply with WHS legislation and DDHS policy & procedure.
• Implement & monitor risk management activities including, but not limited to, workplace inspections, incident/hazard investigation and follow-up, and implementation of risk controls.
• Analysis of WHS training requirements for staff including the provision of training and monitoring of training to ensure completion and currency.

BENEFITS AND ENTITLEMENTS

• 6 weeks annual leave
• 5 days paid leave during end-of-year shut down (additional to annual leave)
• Salary packaging up to $15,990 per annum.

POSITION DESCRIPTION

Select “Apply now” and you will be directed to the full position description.

COMMITTED TO PROTECTING CHILDREN

Danila Dilba Health Service is committed to protecting the rights of children in all areas where we work. Applicants are advised we will conduct police checks and other screening procedures to ensure we maintain and promote a child safe environment.

To work with DDHS you must hold, or be willing to obtain, a current police check, a valid NT working with children's card, a current CPR certificate and full vaccination against COVID-19, or an exemption as listed on the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR).

Only those with full working rights will be considered for this position.