AOD Support Worker LGBTIQ+

Job Type: Part-time

Location: Dandenong

Job Category: Alcohol and Other Drugs

• Passionate about helping young people? Join our residential youth community house team based in Dandenong.
• Permanent/part-time (0.7 FTE) role working 54 hours per fortnight across weekdays and weekends. Immediate start available.
• Wonderful, inclusive and supportive team with lots of internal development opportunities.
• SCHADS Level 3 with Salary packaging provisions to enhance your take-home income.

Windana provides connected services for more people in need.
We provide services across Victoria for adults and young people experiencing alcohol and other drug harms, family violence, mental health challenges and social disadvantage.

Our Model of Care puts clients at the centre of what we do to create positive change in people's lives. We work with families, communities and other organisations to deliver trauma informed, equitable, culturally safe and integrated services based on evidence and practice wisdom.

By intervening early and creating purposeful partnerships, we help clients achieve improved outcomes while reducing demand on acute services. And we are influencing policy, practice and research to help shape better systems for clients. Together, we influence the broader system for a more positive and connected future.

Windana is proudly committed to
diversity, equity, and inclusion
. We celebrate the strength that comes from varied lived experiences, cultural backgrounds, and identities. We are actively working towards
Rainbow Tick accreditation
, demonstrating our dedication to creating safe, inclusive and addirming services for LGBTIQ+ clients and staff. This role contributes directly to fostering a culturally safe environment and challenging stigma within AOD support services.

Is this your next career opportunity?
Windana understands that Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex, Queer people and other sexuality, gender and bodily diverse (LGBTIQ+) people and communities are exposed to barriers such as stigma, discrimination and isolation which can prevent these people from accessing AOD services.

This AOD Support Worker LGBTIQ+ (identified) position ensures the Windana Youth Community House site is a safe, affirming and supportive environment for LGBTIQ+ clients to participate in the AOD withdrawal program.

This role is part of a targeted initiative to improve outcomes for LGBTIQ+ individuals affected by AOD issues. Lived experience as part of the LGBTIQ+ community is considered essential to building trust and cultural safety.

We are looking for Permanent/Part-time (0.7 FTE) AOD Support Worker to join our team at our Windana Youth Community House working 54 hours per fortnight as per roster below.

Week 1
Saturday & Sunday: 7:00am – 3:30pm

Week 2
Friday: 1:30pm – 9:30pm

Saturday: 7:00am – 3:30pm

Monday: 1:30pm – 9:30pm

Wednesday: 1:30pm – 9:30pm

Thursday: 9:00am – 5:00pm

• Support senior team members to initiate effective treatment and intervention planning, addressing identified client needs.
• Participate in the orientation and ongoing support of new residents.
• Provide practical and emotional support to residents during admissions and discharges, in conjunction with a Senior AOD Clinician or AOD Clinician.
• Assist and support the team and clients /LGBTQIA+ individuals within inclusive practice frameworks at Windana Youth Community House.
• Supervise and participate in daily house and domestic activities when required.
• Provide support to residents attending off-site appointments and visits, including driving to and from appointments and communicating any concerns or recommendations raised by allied health professional to the nurses / handover.
• Maintain client documentation and case notes accurately and in a timely manner.
• Understand the withdrawal program and the culture expectations of the shared living space.
• Provide support in the delivery of medication after completion of medication competency training.

What We're Looking For

• This is an LGBTIQ+ identified role, meaning applicants must identify as part of the LGBTIQ+ community. This requirement is a special measure under the Equal Opportunity Act 2010 (Vic), designed to ensure culturally safe and affirming support for LGBTIQ+ clients.
• Experience working in a clinical setting or similar environment delivering a consistent model of care within the sector of alcohol and other drugs, mental health or community service.
• A commitment to and/or experience in working with people from LGBTIQ+ communities.
• Demonstrated understanding of the needs, issues and sensitivities of people from diverse backgrounds including Aboriginal, LGBTIQ+ and culturally and linguistically diverse people and communities.
• Case management skills and ability to write clear and professional case notes/handover notes and other essential documentation.
• Ability to work, participate and contribute within a multidisciplinary team.
• High level interpersonal and communication skills, including active listening skills and clear speaking skills, with an ability to tailor communicate style to suit the diversity of residents
• You must be willing to undertake a Certificate IV in AOD or AOD Skill Set with us in the first year of employment.
• Ideally you will have qualifications in a health-related discipline (e.g., social work, youth work, mental health, psychology or similar).
• Ideally experience working in a withdrawal program and knowledge in using AOD screening tools.

Join our team to contribute to our life-changing work.
Contribute To Our Meaningful Work And Values-based Culture Through

Our people are integral to the work we do, and we pride ourselves on providing our team opportunities to contribute, grow and thrive:

• our Strategic Plan ,
• our quality accreditation ,
• Reconciliation Action Plan , and
• our progress towards Rainbow Tick accreditation .

We value the contribution of every team member and regularly recognise each other informally and through our annual staff awards program.

Grow With Professional And Personal Development, Including

• 40 hours of study leave each year
• Support for qualifications, professional registrations, and external training
• Career pathways through secondments and our Leadership Network
• Regular supervision, goal-setting, and individual development plans

Thrive
with benefits that support your wellbeing and work-life balance, including:

• 12 weeks paid parental leave from day one
• 15 days personal leave, plus additional cultural, compassionate, and gender affirmation leave
• Flexible working arrangements tailored to you
• Generous salary packaging to increase your take-home pay
• Retail perks and fitness discounts
• Access to our wellbeing program, including discounted osteopathy treatments.

Ready to join us?
Be quick Applications will be reviewed as soon as they land on our desks so apply today if you're interested.

Windana is committed to child safety and a valid Working with Children Check and Police Check are required for this position.
Windana values and celebrates diversity and inclusion and is an equal employment opportunity employer. We encourage applicants of all backgrounds and life experience to
apply. Our aim is to build a team that closely reflects the diversity of the people and communities we work with.