About the Benefits

A competitive salary ranging between $70k - $76k commensurate with relevant qualifications, skills and experience is on offer for the right candidate. Other entitlements include:

• Salary packaging up to $15,900
• Study leave
• Employee Assistance Program
• 12 days of personal leave per year
• NAIDOC Day holiday
• Personalised professional development opportunities

About the role

We are seeking a highly skilled and compassionate Counsellor to join our team. The successful candidate will be responsible to provide crisis support and counselling to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and families affected by crisis situations and / or require counselling support for general mental and emotional well-being. The Counsellor will work collaboratively with other healthcare professionals to ensure the best possible outcomes for clients.

Responsibilities

• Provide a broad range of counselling services across DYHS sites, which includes trans-generational grief, trauma and relationship counselling to clients identified through the clinic or stolen generation program.
• Respond to referrals from DYHS staff identifying clients requiring counselling.
• Maintain referral system appointment systems for clients accessing counselling.
• Establish appropriate networks and referring processes to external agencies and counsellors including AADS and Yorgum.
• Meet the needs of clients in a culturally appropriate manner and which actively involve both women and men in support group activities in appropriate community settings.
• Promote and raise community awareness of DYHS services whenever possible.
• Maintain and keep client notes in Communicare and provide responses to referrals as appropriate.
• Monitor the number of clients accessing counselling services and types of counselling services provided and provide information as requested for bi-annual reporting.
• Participate in DYHS team meetings and other relevant meetings as required.
• Accompany clients to hospital where it is appropriate to their ongoing clinical management.
• Ensure that counselling skills are consistent with contemporary practice and contractual requirements.
• Adhere to DYHS Policies and Procedures.
• Participate in Performance Management as required.
• Undertake other duties as directed from time to time by your Line Manager or the Executive.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Essential

• Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander 50D of the Equal Employment Opportunities Act.
• Possession of formal tertiary or vocational qualifications (Cert IV) in psychology, social work, mental health, counselling or a related area.
• Demonstrated understanding of current health and social emotional wellbeing issues affecting Aboriginal clients.
• Demonstrated effective communication skills including the ability to communicate effectively with Aboriginal people.
• Contemporary counselling and case management skills with emphasis on trauma and grief counselling.
• Have a sound understanding of Aboriginal culture, boundaries, values and protocols.
• Ability to work as an effective team member.
• Knowledge of Occupational Health & Safety, Industrial Relations and Equal Employment Opportunity Legislation.
• Computer literacy skills.
• Current WA Drivers Licence.
• Current Working with Children Check.
• It is an essential requirement for this position to produce a WA National Police Clearance, no older than six months from date of issue on commencement of employment. It is then required to produce a National Police Certificate every three years of service.

Desirable

• Demonstrated experience working with stolen generation and associated issues and willingness to refer clients to other services where appropriate.

Appointment Pre-requisites

Provision of the minimum identity proofing requirements

• Successful Criminal Record Screening Clearance
• Successful Pre-Employment Health Assessment
• Successful Working with Children Check
• Evidence of a current C or C-A Class driver’s licence or other specialised licence class

next steps

A copy of the Job Description can be obtained by contacting People Services Team on 1300 420 272 or [email protected], uusing the subject line: Counsellor enquiry via EthicalJobs.

Derbarl Yerrigan Health Service Aboriginal Corporation is an equal opportunity institution, providing educational and employment opportunities without regard to race, colour, gender, age, or disability.

Derbarl Yerrigan Health Service reserves the right to contact the current or most recent employer and evaluate past employment records of applicants selected for interview.

The organisation reserves the right to re-advertise the position or to delay final selection if it is deemed that applicants for the position do not constitute an adequate applicant pool.

Derbarl Yerrigan Health Service Aboriginal Corporation is committed to a smoke free environment across all buildings, grounds and vehicles.