Alcohol and Other Drug Support Specialist

Job Description\Entities are key for supporting individuals with alcohol and other drug-related issues.

We provide a busy health hub in the middle of Richmond. North Richmond Community Health includes the Centre for Culture Ethnicity and Health, making it a great place to work. Staff are inspired through meaningful work and supported by colleagues and management. We prioritise an inclusive and positive working atmosphere at North Richmond Community Health.

The team provides flexible working arrangements, ensuring that people of all circumstances are well-represented in our staff. This includes comprehensive and competitive salary packaging options. We enjoy rich cultural diversity in our workforce, with approximately 55% of our staff born overseas and over 75% identifying with an ethnicity other than Australian. Over 65% of our staff speak languages other than English.

As an AOD Worker, you will be responsible for providing support and assistance to individuals dealing with alcohol and other drug-related issues. You will work closely with clients to promote harm reduction, provide education, and facilitate access to appropriate resources and services including health services and various treatment programs. The primary objective of this role is to help reduce harm associated with problematic drug or alcohol use for clients and to improve their overall wellbeing.

", "Benefits", "

A number of benefits are available to employees:

- Flexible working arrangements, including purchased leave
- Wellbeing policy, with on-site subsidised fitness classes, work health checks and social events
- Comprehensive and competitive salary packaging options.

", "Required Skills and Qualifications", "

Essential qualifications, attributes and skills include:

- Recognised qualification in health or social/human services or Diploma of Community Services (AOD)
- Minimum of 3 years' experience in outreach, harm reduction in the AOD field
- Demonstrated knowledge of co-occurring drug use and harm reduction in the context of illicit & other drugs and risks associated with the use of these.
- Sound knowledge and understanding of issues and challenges for improving the health status of PWUD and those with complex/multiple health issues.
- Commitment to improving the health and wellbeing of vulnerable and marginalised communities that is culturally aligned.
- High level of capability to develop client and stakeholder relationships, including capacity to seek client and community needs to shape services.

", "Others", "

The position will be a valued member of the Outreach Service providing daily community and client engagement to expertise and support for assessment, interventions and referral to services both internally and externally to meet clients identified needs.

Roles and responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

- Conduct assessments: Perform comprehensive assessments to determine clients' substance abuse history, treatment needs, and goals.
- Develop treatment plans: Collaborate with clients to develop individualized treatment plans that address their specific substance abuse issues and recovery goals as consented.
- Harm reduction strategies: Educate clients about harm reduction strategies, such as safer substance use practices and overdose prevention.
- Establish and evaluate health pathways and referrals for clients including liaising internal with care coordinators and referral to other services for complex client needs.
- Development of trusted relationships with clients and stakeholders, including supporting activities for purpose, engagement, behavior support and education.
- Work under supervision and direction, either individually or in a multidisciplinary team, using routine harm minimising practices.

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