Position overview

Alcohol and Drug Services (ADS) is a part of the division of Mental Health, Justice Health and Alcohol & Drug Services (MHJHADS), which is contemporary, evidence-based service providing high quality ADS guided by the principles of harm minimisation. ADS incorporates 7 areas including the Opioid Treatment Services, Medical Services, Consultation and Liaison Service, 10 bed Inpatient Withdrawal Service, Police and Court Diversion Service, Drug Alcohol Sentencing List and Counselling and Treatment Services.

ADS provides information, court reports, advice, referral, intake, assessment, and support for ACT residents struggling with substance use issues. We offer services for individuals, their family and friends, general practitioners, other health professionals, and business and community groups. This also includes the provision of high-quality liaison with external stakeholders, consumers, and staff of MHJHADS. This position is part of ADS Specialty Services Allied Health Team, based at Building 7 Canberra Hospital, Garran.

Within a multidisciplinary team, the Allied Health Assistant (AHA) will work collaboratively with individuals who are accessing alcohol, tobacco and other drug (ATOD) treatment through ADS Specialty Services programs. Under the direction and guidance of allied health professionals within the team, the AHA will support individuals who are receiving inpatient or outpatient care. This involves providing practical supports, referral, stakeholder liaison, psychoeducation and group-based interventions.

This position reports to the ADS Specialty Services Allied Health Team Manager and involves regular liaison and collaborative work with other MHJHADS program areas, government and non-government services in the Alcohol, Tobacco and other Drug (ATOD) and mental health sectors, and other external stakeholders.

ADS Team Members are required and supported to undertake professional development, engage in clinical supervision, participate in quality improvement and service development initiatives and contribute to multidisciplinary team processes. Where appropriate, AHA level 3 staff are expected to provide supervision to staff at AHA level 1 and AHA level 2, and AHA students.

Key Responsibilities

Specific responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following.

Under the direction and indirect/remote task supervision of an allied health professional:

• Communicate effectively with people receiving care through ADS, their nominated support networks and other stakeholders, to address identified psychosocial needs and provide effective care.
• Consult, liaise and work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team (MDT) and other relevant services within government and non-government sectors, to ensure streamlined service provision and positive individual outcomes.
• Through managing one’s own workload, implement relevant programs, tasks and interventions. Identify circumstances that require additional input from an allied health clinician or MDT and consult as required.
• Actively participate in clinical supervision processes, continuing professional development opportunities and completion of data and reporting processes for evaluating team activity against agreed targets and clinical governance requirements.
• Contribute to quality improvement activities relating to service delivery and improvement, policies and procedures applicable to professional and organisational practices.
• Work within legislation and policies associated with clinical service delivery in this area, using evidence-based practices which follow agreed clinical standards, policies, procedures and protocols.
• Undertake other duties appropriate to this level of classification which contribute to the operation of the organisation.

Competencies

Specific competencies include but are not limited to the following.

• Practical understanding of the biopsychosocial components of wellbeing.
• Under the guidance of an allied health clinician, have capacity to provide individual and group-based intervention and support to people receiving treatment and care.
• Ability to work within a multi-disciplinary team, with adaptability and flexibility to accommodate change and respond to novel situations.
• Ability to communicate, liaise and advocate effectively, with influence and of demonstrating strong written and oral communication skills.
• Strong organisational skills and ability to analyse information and make decisions to complete moderately complex tasks without direct supervision.
• Ability to support access and equity to high-quality person-centred care for people with diverse needs.

Qualifications

Specific qualifications include, but are not limited to, the following.

Essential

• A Certificate IV in Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug Studies, Mental Health or Allied Health Assistance (or equivalent qualification).
• Currently working towards or commitment to undertake and complete the Certificate IV in Alcohol and Other Drug Studies, while employed at Alcohol and Drug Services (training will be provided for the successful candidate).
• Have an understanding of how the National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) indicators align with this role.

Desirable

• N/A

Experience

Specific experience include, but are not limited to, the following.

Essential

• 3 years of professionally relevant work experience.

Desirable

• Experience working with people with a history of ATOD use in a community, inpatient or residential setting.
• Experience or knowledge of the CHS Exceptional Care Framework and all other related frameworks.

Please note prior to commencement successful candidates will be required to:

• Undergo a pre-employment National Police Check.
• Current registration issued under the Working with Vulnerable People (Background Checking) Act 2011 is required.
• Comply with Canberra Health Services Occupational Assessment, Screening and Vaccination policy.
• Comply with CHS credentialing and scope of clinical practice requirements for allied health professionals.

Important information

All employees are required to:

• Adhere to the Canberra Health Services Values and the ACT Public Service Code of Conduct.
• Act in accordance and comply with all relevant Safety and Quality policies and procedures.
• Comply with all relevant clinical and/or competency standards.

CHS is leading the drive to digitally transform health service delivery in Australia through the implementation of a territory wide Digital Health Record. Computer literacy skills are required which are relevant to this role as you will be responsible for completing the required documentation and becoming a proficient user of the Digital Health Record and/or other Information Technology systems; once proficient, you will need to remain current with changes, updates, and contingencies.

What you Require (Key Selection Criteria)

These are the key selection criteria for how you will be assessed in conjunction with your resumé and experience.

1. Demonstrated ability in providing individual and/or group-based interventions for individuals who present with a history of ATOD use. Proven ability to provide supports and interventions to assist with individuals’ psychosocial needs and provide psychoeducational groups under the indirect guidance of an allied health professional.
2. Proven effective verbal and written communication skills, including excellent clinical record keeping and the ability to communicate effectively with a range of stakeholders; demonstrated via the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with people seeking/receiving care, engagement with internal and external service providers, and collaborative work within a multidisciplinary team.
3. A working knowledge of available support services and policy direction in the alcohol, tobacco, and other drug sector; particularly within the ACT context.
4. Ability to undertake service development, quality improvement, and/or research activities, with commitment to continuing professional development and willingness to provide clinical supervision where required.
5. Demonstrates understanding of, and adherence to, safety and quality standards, Work Health and Safety and the positive patient experience. Displays behaviour consistent with CHS’s values of reliable, progressive, respectful, and kind.

Work environment description

The following work environment description outlines the inherent requirements of the role and indicates how frequently each of these requirements would need to be performed. Please note that the ACT Public Service is committed to providing reasonable adjustments and ensuring all individuals have equal opportunities in the workplace.