The Setting

First Step is a renowned not-for-profit addiction, mental health, and legal services hub in the heart of St Kilda. We provide services to thousands of vulnerable Victorians every year, with the firm belief that everybody deserves every chance to turn their lives around. First Step provides a uniquely multi-disciplinary team of General Practitioners, Registered Nurses, therapists, lawyers and care coordinators all of whom have decades of experience in addiction, mental health and legal services.

First Step’s model of care is designed to address the systemic barriers faced by people with co-occurring illnesses including mental ill-health and prioritises welcome, empathy and hope. Through the compassionate application of multiple disciplines in a team environment we focus on incremental, whole-of-life improvements that build towards physical and mental health and wellbeing. We work to help people be connected to their families, participating in society, and taking control of their own lives.

The Role

Reporting to the ResetLife Program Manager, the Primary Therapist will utilise a range of treatment interventions including Intake and Assessment, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing (MI), Motivational Enhancement Therapy (MET) and Psychoeducation in the delivery of our integrated Intensive Outpatient Rehabilitation Program. These interventions will be used in both individual and group treatment sessions according to the Matrix Model.

ResetLife adheres to the structural and clinical fidelity of the Matrix Model which has shown to be an important determinant of success for the ResetLife program. Actively adhering to the treatment materials, co-developing routine for participants, facilitation of individual and group sessions, collection of weekly random drug/alcohol screens (note: this is to inform treatment and is NOT a punitive measure), monitoring of group size, involving peers, and actively engaging participants throughout the process are all important elements of the Primary Therapist role.

Qualifications, Skills and Experience

The following minimum competencies are considered necessary:

Qualifications & Experience:

• Relevant health and/or welfare tertiary qualification such as Social Work, Psychology, Youth Work, Nursing, Allied Health Sciences or Counselling.
• Certificate IV in AOD or have completed the required AOD competencies.

Skills:

• Minimum of 3 years’ experience in the delivery of clinical interventions (CBT, MI, Motivational Enhancement Therapy, etc) with people and families experiencing complex alcohol and other drugs use.
• Advanced group facilitation skills.
• Ability to effectively work with people and families experiencing problematic alcohol and other drugs use in a respectful, compassionate and positive manner.
• Demonstration of a high level of self-management.
• Work closely with the multidisciplinary team, including Counsellors, Family Therapist, Peer Support Coordinators, Peer Volunteers, GPs, Mental Health Practitioners, the First Step Legal Service, and the Reception and Administration team to contribute to the planning and implementation of support and treatment of participants.
• Excellent administration skills including developing comprehensive care plans, maintaining clinical documentation to a high standard and writing reports.
• Active, constructive participation as a member of the team.
• Actively sharing information and ideas with colleagues and support each other to be successful in their relevant positions.
• Respect and consideration of the rights and wellbeing of co-workers by following First Step’s policies and procedures.
• Ability to use initiative and work under minimal supervision.
• Proficient in the use of MS Suit

Desirable:

• Demonstrated advanced knowledge of the physiology of addiction.
• Demonstrated experience with providing peer supervision.
• Proficient in the use of medical database systems (such as, Medical Director and Pracsoft).

Key internal relationships:

• First Step ResetLife Program Manager
• ResetLife team members
• Reception and administrative staff
• GPs and clinical team (Nurses, AOD practitioners, Psychologists etc.)
• First Step Legal Services

For a more detail description of the role please refer to the position description.

Key Selection Criteria

Applications should provide a cover letter that addresses the following six Key Selection Criteria, a recent (up to date) resume and 2 professional references.

Applications that do not address the six Key Selection Criteria will not be considered.

Outline your qualifications and experience of psychological therapies including group facilitation.

1. Describe your ability to move between different addiction treatment modalities.
2. Describe your willingness and ability to adhere to a prescribed treatment program while treating all individuals with a tailored approach and compassion.
3. Articulate your ability to collaborate within a multidisciplinary team.
4. Compare and contrast your values with those of First Step.
5. Outline your recent or ongoing professional development goals.

Please note: The successful candidate must have or be willing to undertake a valid Working With Children Check and Police Check. Evidence of three doses of COVID vaccinations (or valid medical exemption) as per Department of Health Guidelines is also required. For more information please visit: www.health.vic.gov.au/immunisation/vaccination-for-healthcare-workers.

What we offer

This role is offered on a full-time contract basis until 1 July 2026 (EFT 1.0). Candidates wishing to work 0.8 ETF a week will be considered but will be required to have a full caseload.

We offer:

• A pro rata monthly RDO (E.g. 4 days per week allows 10 annual RDOs).
• Salary packaging up to $15,900.
• Inclusive and supportive dynamic working environment.

Note: First Step is an independent not-for-profit organisation that provides a safe and nurturing work environment for people of all backgrounds, genders, religions, sexualities, ethnicities, or any other factor. Candidates identifying as LGBTQI+ as well as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates are strongly invited to apply. People with a lived experience of mental illness or substance use are invited to address their experience from a strength-based perspective in their applications if they feel comfortable to do so. Note that there are designated peers at First Step and that many staff members have lived experience of drug or alcohol use and mental distress.