• Located in Preston
• Three roles: 2x permanent positions (1x 1FTE and 1x 0.8 FTE) and 1x fixed-term position (12 month contract, full-time or 0.8 FTE negotiable)
• Join a great team and help improve the wellbeing of carers in Northern Metro Melbourne

Your new organisation

At Merri Health, we strive to enrich diverse communities through the provision of quality health care and support services. A career at Merri will see you contributing to a culture that affects change for our clients and the wider community. We are committed to supporting the talent and skills of our employees because we know their capability is the key to our success.

Merri Carer Services

Since 1997, Merri Health has been providing carer support services in the Northern Metro region of Melbourne. In 2019, Merri Health was chosen by the Australian Government to lead the delivery of carer support, advice and information across Victoria for the Carer Gateway, the Australian Government’s national carer hub. Merri Health now works with a small number of other consortium partners to deliver carer services across Victoria. To reflect this transition, the previous CarerLinks North services is now known as Merri Carer Services.

Merri Carer Services provides a range of programs, supports and activities to carers living in the North Metro Melbourne catchment area. These include care coordination, peer support, coaching, counselling, respite support, events and activities, and supports specifically for young carers and those caring for people with dementia.

Your new role

As a Carer Counsellor, you will be responsible for:

• Delivering person-centred carer counselling using a range of methodologies and therapeutic approaches
• Developing, planning and delivering group counselling programs and other innovative offerings that meet carers’ needs
• Linking carers in with other appropriate longer-term supports
• Collaborating with the counselling team and wider carer services program on projects and events

What you’ll need to succeed

To be successful with Merri you will go above and beyond to achieve great results for our clients, the organisation and yourself. We’re looking for individuals with:

• Bachelor qualification in Social Work, counselling degree or equivalent tertiary related field and a minimum of 3 years’ experience in counselling/related field
• Formally accredited by one of the following Associations: Australian Counselling Association (ACA), or Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PCFA), or Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW)
• Knowledge of a broad range of therapeutic interventions and theoretical frameworks
• Experience working with individuals and groups with short-term counselling and support needs
• Very good knowledge of the community care sector and potential referral pathways
• Ability to work under set funding targets and compliance requirements

What we offer

Reporting to the Team Leader, Carer Counselling, you will be an integral part of the highly effective Merri Carer Services team. You will play an important role in shaping the future of carer services in Merri’s catchment area and will be able to make a real difference.

We offer a diverse, inclusive and flexible environment which encourages you to bring your whole self to work. As the successful applicant you’ll be joining an organisation where you will be supported to grow, learn and develop your skills to reach your potential.

You will also have access to generous salary packaging, purchase leave and flexible work arrangement options.