• Casual Counsellor Advocate role available - Sexual Assault Crisis Line (SACL)
• Parkville location, multiple public transport options available
• $44 - $51 per hour (excluding shift work entitlements) + salary packaging + super

The Royal Women’s Hospital is one of Australia’s oldest and most distinguished tertiary hospitals dedicated to improving the health and wellbeing of women and newborns, offering specialised services within maternity, neonatal and women’s health. Our goal is to be the best place to work, learn and contribute, and to provide exceptional experiences for our patients and consumers.

About the Afterhours Sexual Assault Crisis Line

Situated within the Social Model of Health, the Sexual Assault Crisis Line (SACL) provides a state-wide after-hours telephone crisis service to people of all genders and sexualities impacted by sexual assault. SACL provides immediate crisis care coordination to victims / survivors of recent sexual assault, telephone crisis counselling support and advocacy, information and referral to victim /survivors of recent and past sexual assault and secondary consultation to professionals.

About the Counsellor Advocate Role

As a Counsellor Advocate, you will provide telephone crisis counselling support, information, referral and advocacy services to victim survivors of sexual assault and their non-offending families or friends, professionals and other community members across Victoria. You will also coordinate an immediate crisis care response with CASA services throughout the state, to survivors of a recent sexual assault (within the last 2 weeks).

A regular day will see you:

• Deliver high quality crisis care and follow up services for victim survivors of sexual assault,
• Provide an evidence-based response using intersectional feminist, rights advocacy, violence and trauma informed practice frameworks,
• Answer our Police and Counselling Telephone Lines during SACL hours of operation (afterhours, weekends and public holidays),
• Actively participate in regular supervision, professional development activities, debriefing and consultation as required.

About you

You are passionate about ending gender-based violence against women in our community. You thrive in a supported team environment whilst being able to work independently on night shift. You have experience managing crises and have supported service users who present with complex trauma. You are motivated to deliver a high-quality service to our callers that is based on an intersectional feminist, rights advocacy, violence and trauma informed practice framework.

You’ll bring with you:

• A university obtained Bachelor or Master’s degree, ideally in Social Work or Psychology and/or a related health profession. Post Graduate qualifications are highly desirable,
• Eligibility for membership with the AASW or other Professional Body as relevant to the qualification held,
• Demonstrated crisis counselling experience and specialist knowledge and skills in supporting victim survivors of sexual assault and violence,
• Knowledge of contemporary issues in relation to gender based violence in policy and practice,
• An understanding of and commitment to the provision of a service based on intersectional feminist frameworks.

Our benefits

At the Women’s you will enjoy a culture that is collaborative, supportive and passionate about learning. We have a strong sense of purpose, and engage in meaningful work every day. We offer our people a range of rewarding benefits, including:

• $11,660 in salary packaging benefits, for living expenses, meals and holiday accommodation
• A suite of wellness initiatives designed to support you, including discounted financial, lifestyle and health options, and a comprehensive wellbeing program
• Public transport options at our doorstep and end of journey facilities for cyclists
• Onsite childcare centre and breastfeeding rooms
• Mentoring, learning and career development opportunities
• Flexible working arrangements

Inclusion and belonging

The Women’s celebrates, values and supports a diverse and inclusive environment which reflects our vibrant community. We encourage applications from anyone identifying as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander. We also welcome anyone who identifies as LGBTQIA+, linguistically, culturally and/or gender diverse, people with disability, and people of any age to apply for our roles. We are committed to gender equity principles, and our people have an awareness of and sensitive approach to violence against women and family violence matters. We are proudly Breastfeeding Association accredited.

Join us!

If you feel this role is right for you we warmly invite you to apply by responding to the key selection criteria in your application and encourage your early application. All appointments are made subject to a satisfactory National Police Check, a Working with Children Check and three COVID-19 vaccinations, and may include a range of additional vaccinations including influenza, as required by the Department of Health.

Should you need assistance or require any adjustments or accommodations to fully participate in the application or interview process, you are welcome to reach out to the contact person listed. We acknowledge that not all applicants will meet the full list of selection criteria outlined, and wherever possible we will consider applications where relevant experience can apply.

View the position description for this role.

For more information contact Chloe Lonsdale on 03 8345 3021