Directions Health Services is an innovative non-profit organisation that has been providing specialist alcohol and other drug (AOD) services in the ACT and NSW for more than 40 years.

Pathways Murrumbidgee is one of Directions’ programs. It offers a range of community-based treatment and support services to people impacted by AOD and co-occurring issues in Wagga Wagga and the surrounding region.

Directions provides a comprehensive suite of holistic AOD, mental health and primary health services that aim to reduce harms experienced by individuals, families and communities and improve overall health and wellbeing.

Our capacity to implement innovative services developed in collaboration with our clients, partners, and other stakeholders, enables us to effectively respond to the changing needs of the communities we serve.

At Directions we pride ourselves on our supportive, inclusive, employee and client-centred culture. Our excellent culture has led to our very high staff retention rates and great reputation within the Mental Health and AOD sectors.

The Position

As an AOD Peer Worker within Pathways Murrumbidgee’s multidisciplinary team you will draw on your lived experience of alcohol and other drug (AOD) and/or mental health recovery to provide support to clients and their family/friends to improve outcomes associated with AOD use and co-occurring issues.

This position is on a 6 month part time (0.6 FTE) contract.

Responsibilities:

• Drawing on lived experience, support clients to achieve their goals, utilising harm minimisation, trauma-informed, strengths-based and person-centred approaches
• Actively support people to access the service and participate in intake processes, including assessment of the client needs, identification of their goals and priorities and development of an individual treatment support plan
• Provide culturally responsive services to clients and their family/friends to improve health and wellbeing outcomes and reduce harms associated with AOD use
• Undertake outreach activities and provide information regarding Pathways’ programs and other appropriate services.
• Ensure documentation is up to date and of an appropriate professional standard including case notes, data collection, reports and other written communication
• Undertake training and ongoing professional development as required by the organisation
• Assist with the development of resources, supports and programs in consultation with colleagues, clients and other stakeholders
• Work in accordance with Directions’ policies and procedures and contribute to our culture of continuous quality improvement
• After hours work and travel to other sites in NSW and ACT may be required
  

What we offer

• A flexible and supportive work environment
• CSE Level 3 salary plus superannuation, commensurate with qualifications, skills, and experience
• Generous salary packaging benefits
• 17½% leave loading
• Professional development and training opportunities

What we would like you to have

• Lived experience of AOD and/or mental health recovery and experience accessing relevant services
• Experience working in AOD settings
• Cert IV qualification in Alcohol and Other Drugs, Mental Health and/or Mental Health Peer Work or willingness to obtain
• Well-developed understanding of the impact of alcohol and other drug use and mental health concerns and the associated issues this client group may experience, including physical and mental health and other co-morbidities
• Demonstrated working knowledge of evidence-based treatment, harm minimisation and support strategies
• Demonstrated capacity to work with clients using a person-centred approach
• Proficient in using Microsoft Office and client information management systems
• Ability to work competently in a cross-cultural environment and engage with staff and clients from a marginalised background in a non-judgemental, courteous and respectful manner.
• Thorough understanding of the importance of personal and professional boundaries, ethical behaviour and adhering to policies and procedures
• A commitment to the mission and values of the organisation

All appointments will be conditional upon having a NSW Working with Children Check, current First Aid and CPR certification, and a satisfactory National Police Check.

For further information about this position please refer to the attached Position Description and/or contact our HR Team at [email protected], using the subject line: AOD Peer Worker enquiry via EthicalJobs.

A position description is attached.

Directions is passionate about providing equal employment opportunities and we greatly value diversity in our organisation. We actively encourage applicants from all background and cultures. Research shows that women and other marginalised individuals tend to only apply for jobs when they meet 100% of the requirements. If you think you may be a good fit for this position, but don't necessarily meet every requirement, please get in touch. We would love to have a chat and see if you could be a great fit.