Alcohol & Other Drug Counsellor

Welcome to St John of God Health Care

St John of God Health Care is one of the largest private providers of health care services in Australia, employing more than 16,000 employees (caregivers). We operate 26 hospitals and services comprising more than 3,300 hospital beds, including home nursing, disability services and social outreach programs.

St John of God South West Community Alcohol and Drug Service (SWCADS) makes it easier for individuals and families across WA's South West to understand and address harmful alcohol and drug use. We help individuals, families and the broader community understand and get on top of harmful alcohol and drug use.

We're here for anyone who is, or may be, at risk. And that means everyone. Whether we're providing education and training to raise awareness of alcohol and drug abuse, or providing practical advice, counselling and referrals, we provide specialist support for individuals and families looking to put drug or alcohol problems behind them or avoid those problems altogether.

Your role at St John of God Social Outreach

We are seeking applications from Alcohol & Drug Counsellors to join our Social Outreach team in Bunbury, Busselton, Manjimup, Collie and/or Margaret River, on a permanent full-time/part time or 12-month fixed term contract basis.

This position is responsible for providing assessment, counselling and follow-up for clients seeking assistance with substance use issues. This may involve brief interventions, counselling, initiating and managing planned treatment options, consultation and referral to other agencies or crisis management

The Position

• Establish and maintain trust, warmth and rapport with clients consistently.
• Conduct, initial intake and ongoing client assessments to enable planning, implementing and evaluating individual and group counselling, support, education, community liaison and referrals using a variety of modalities.
• Ensure high quality clinical documentation as aligned with the electronic client record.
• Engage with the treating General Practitioners and other services involved in client care.
• Deliver evidence based, effective and safe counselling, therapeutic interventions and programs to clients in the context of best practice, contractual obligations, service polices, and available resources.
• Deliver client-centered care, building health literacy and promoting self-management.

You will have demonstrated counselling experience in a drug & alcohol mental health setting, ability to work in a multidisciplinary team and experience liaising with a range of services within human services and providers.

Successful applicants must hold a tertiary qualification in Social Work, Nursing, Occupational Therapy, Psychology or Counselling and eligibility for membership of the relevant organisation. This position requires a current First Aid and CPR certification, 'C' class drivers licence, Working with Children's Certification and National Police Clearance.

Above all, patient care will be at the core of everything you do committing to and supporting our Mission and Values.

We can offer you

• Salary: $85,508 to $120,255 plus 12% Superannuation
• Permanent full-time, working 38 hours per week

• Salary packaging up to $18,550 on a range of benefits such as mortgage, rent, meal entertainment, holiday accommodation or other everyday living expenses as well as options to salary package benefits above the FBT cap on items such as:

• Novated leasing

• work related expenses
• self-education and

• additional superannuation

• A healthy work-life balance through flexible work options, additional purchased leave & well-being programs

• Employee discount on St John of God Hospital & Medical Services and Private Health Insurance

Please submit a covering letter outlining your interest in the position and addressing the selection criteria, in no more than 2 pages.

For all enquiries contact Karen Barrett-Lennard, Manager SWCADS on

If suitable applicants are identified advertisement may close prior to listed date and screening/interviews may commence throughout the advertising process.

St John of God Social Outreach is committed to providing a safe environment for all children and vulnerable people in its care and proactively takes measures to protect children/vulnerable people from abuse