Our Belief

Health is not the absence of disease – it’s a complete state of physical, mental, emotional and spiritual wellbeing. Like the World Health Organisation, we see health as a resource for life and not itself the object of living. Health is the product of structural and social determinants. We believe that habits are normal, functional, learned responses to specific situations and these responses are a combination of cognitive, environmental and behavioural patterns. We recognise that some habits may have negative outcomes, and it is a choice to learn how to change habits and build resilience.

Amity is a learning organisation and provides staff with a supportive environment to develop individual, team and organisational capacities.

The Role

The Counsellor/Educator role primarily focuses on providing evidence-informed, therapeutic services to members of the Territory Community with the aim of promoting healthier habits and lifestyles. You will deliver therapeutic services within a harm minimisation framework, specialising in alcohol, drugs, gambling and other associated mental health concerns.

Other key frameworks that you will utilise include Motivational Interviewing, Adult Learning Principles and Cognitive Behavioural Therapies. You will work with individuals, families and communities. You will also have the opportunity to contribute to service and agency development opportunities.

Amity’s values of respect, diversity, professionalism and curiosity will guide your work; both with clients and colleagues. You will work in a multi-disciplinary team of professional counsellors and will be directly responsible to the Coordinator of the Counselling Services.

Qualifications

Essential:

• Minimum Diploma level qualification in Social Work, Psychology, Counselling, and/or Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD);

Desirable:

• Certificate IV in Alcohol and Other Drugs;

Experience

Essential:

• Registration with AHPRA, AASW, the ACA or PACFA;
• Demonstrated ability in providing one on one counselling in AOD gambling and associated mental health concerns;
• Knowledge of alcohol, drug, gambling and mental health assessment and intervention tools/strategies within an evidence-informed framework, including motivational interviewing and cognitive behavioural therapies;
• Knowledge of harm minimisation and trauma informed care principles;
• Understanding of a variety of approaches and philosophies in relation to human behaviour and change;
• A demonstrated high level of communication and interpersonal skills;
• Commitment to embody/adhere to Amity’s philosophy and organisational values;

Desirable:

• Knowledge of the Darwin and broader NT community including other services available;
• An understanding of adult learning principles and experience preparing and presenting training programs, or a willingness to develop this;
• A fundamental understanding of research/evaluation principles.

Prerequisites

• National Police Check or willingness to obtain.
• Ochre card or willingness to obtain.
• Current Northern Territory Driver’s License.
• Ability to travel throughout the NT and work outside of normal business hours, when required.

SERVICE DELIVERY

• Provide evidence-informed assessment and therapeutic interventions, including:
  • Bio-psycho-social assessments to gain a holistic understanding of your client’s presenting and underlying concerns;
  • Develop, provide and review individualised treatment plans for each client;
  • Liaise with other services and facilitate referrals when appropriate;
  • Maintain required internal documentation, including case notes, case formulations, individual treatment plans and formalised reports as required;
  • Complete any required internal and external data entry and collection.
• Participate in the development and presentation of education and training programmes to individuals, professional bodies, and community groups;
• Actively engage in individual and group supervision;
• Contribute to agency administration, evaluation and research projects;

• Maintain a professional approach and assist in maintaining a professional environment;
• Other duties as required by the Counselling Manager and General Manager.

STANDARD MEASURE

Services delivered meets the stated objectives in accordance with the funding agreement, Amity’s Continuous Quality Improvement Plan and related policies and procedures: -

• Use of initiative demonstrated
• Project tasks maintained and organised at all times
• Role functions are actively undertaken in an accurate and timely manner, and in accordance with record keeping requirements and standards.
• Sound organisational and communication skills are demonstrated

TEAM SUPPORT

• Provides administrative support to the Gambling program area in a timely manner and to required standards.
• Participate in program governance, work health and safety, quality and accreditation processes and other activities and processes as appropriate.

• Co-operative and professional working relationships are developed and maintained.
• Provides timely support.

WORKPLACE HEALTH & SAFETY

• Ensure your personal health and safety, and that of others in the workplace.
• Complying with any reasonable directions (such as safe work procedures, wearing personal protective equipment) given by management for health and safety.
• Promote and deliver the service in accordance with Amity’s risk management framework.
• Report all accidents, incidents, near misses and hazards immediately

• Adheres to Risk Management and WH&S Policy and Procedures at all times.

CORPORATE IDENTITY

• Promotes and embodies Amity’s vision and values
• Act as a role model for clients
• Maintains community networks that allow for good service delivery and continuity of care for clients
• Acts in accordance with Amity’ Code of Conduct

• Acts in a professional manner, leads by example, promotes the organisation and maintains the reputation of the organisation and profession / service

Personal Characteristics / Qualities

• Respect for individuals and diversity, is nonjudgmental and a good listener (Treats others with dignity & respect)
• Service –user focused: Committed to and acts for well-being of all service users (internal and external)
• Presents a personal image and demeanor that promotes professionalism and credibility and is appropriate to work setting and role
• Sound interpersonal and relationship building skills
• Encourages and cooperates with others to achieve common goals
• Punctual and reliable

Job Competencies (Skills and Knowledge)

• Willingness to work within Amity’s values and vision and adhere to quality improvement practices, policies and procedures
• Sounds skills and knowledge in primary and secondary mental health interventions, public health and harm minimisation approaches
• Ability to communicate effectively (face to face, telephone, in writing)
• Sound knowledge of use and application of standard office equipment
• Able to develop sound customer/client relationships
• Ability to work in a team
• Adhere to deadlines

What Amity Offers

A supportive, professional, inclusive and respectful work environment;

A workplace that values and actively supports career development and continual learning;

Regular clinical supervision within a robust framework of internal, external, individual and group sessions;

6 weeks annual leave, plus the period between Christmas and New Year;

The option of salary sacrificing; and

Up to $2,500 per year support for approved professional development.

next steps

For more information about the role, please contact [email protected] using the subject line: Counsellor / Educator.

Click Apply Now to submit your application. 

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates are encouraged to apply.