Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD) Counsellor

The role 

Jarrah House is a small residential drug and alcohol treatment facility for women and their children under the age of 5.    

We have an opportunity for an AOD Counsellor to join our team, working on a full-time or part-time basis, to cover a rotating roster across morning, afternoon and night shifts, 7 days a week. 

The AOD Counsellor plays a key role within a multi-disciplinary team, responsible for improving client outcomes and delivering effective therapeutic interventions for women in both an individual and group setting. 

Often operating as one of two on-site clinical staff, the AOD Counsellor supports the psychosocial needs of Jarrah House residents whilst working collaboratively with the team to complete a variety of shift related tasks.  

This role is well suited to someone who is collaborative, reliable and genuinely committed to empowering women during detoxification and rehabilitation. 

Key accountabilities of the role include:  

• Undertaking one-on-one counselling sessions 
• Facilitating group therapeutic programs  
• Contributing to intake assessment, admission, case management and discharge processes  
• Managing the day-to-day emotional and behavioural presentations of clients with complex psychosocial needs 
• Collaborating with colleagues to run a shift and complete shift duties. 

Key selection criteria: 

• Identify as a woman – an applicant’s gender is a genuine occupational qualification and is authorised under Section 31 of the NSW Anti-Discrimination Act 1977 
• Degree in Counselling, Psychology or related tertiary qualification 
• An ability and willingness to work across a 24/7 rotating roster  
• Experience in the AOD sector is highly desirable 
• Have the right to work in Australia 
• Criminal Record Check clearance 
• Working with Children Check clearance 
• COVID-19, Whooping Cough and other infectious disease vaccinations, in accordance with Public Health Orders and policies applicable to NSW Health Care Workers. 

Please include a cover letter, addressing the key accountabilities and selection criteria, and your CV, in the application. Applications without a covering letter may not be accepted. 

Why Jarrah House? 

At Jarrah House we provide holistic care in a peaceful residential setting on Bidjigal Country which is known as a place of healing. Your work here changes lives. We support and empower women experiencing drug and alcohol dependence to take back control of their life and start creating a better future for themselves and their children. Our team feel the reward of working with women grappling to overcome one of the most difficult challenges anyone could face. You become part of their story, walking alongside them as they grow and build a life worth living. As a team of skilled and compassionate healthcare professionals, we apply trauma-informed and evidence-based practices, offering each woman in treatment the opportunity to see that she has worth, that others care, and she has the power to make informed choices about her life. Our comprehensive treatment programs include supervised & medicated withdrawal, individual and group therapy, access to support groups, education, workshops and a range of activities aimed at improving relapse prevention skills. We know this work isn’t for everyone. You’ll need to be resilient. But we also know your wellbeing matters and we work together as a team to help you grow and do your best work. Through our values of Respect, Professionalism and Accountability, you can make a real difference to someone’s life. 

Other Information 

Jarrah House is the residential rehabilitation location for the Women’s Alcohol and Drug Advisory Centre Incorporated (WADAC), a Non-Government Organisation providing services in withdrawal management, rehabilitation and individual and group counselling, and services to improve the wellbeing and health outcomes of women, and their families and carers. 

The voluntary admission Residential Rehabilitation Centre in South-East Sydney, Jarrah House, is a place of care and compassion for women experiencing drug and alcohol dependence. A ‘women’s only service’, it is one of a small group of restricted-entry services and the only one in NSW providing in-house residential withdrawal management and Opioid Treatment Program (OTP) participation with dependent children also in residence.    

We have generous salary sacrifice arrangements and aim to look after the health and wellbeing of our team. We are committed to creating a workplace that reflects our values and building a workforce that reflects the diversity of our community and providing a working environment that embraces and values culture, diversity and inclusion.    

Jarrah House has exemptions to recruit women only in positions that have regular contact with clients and to recruit Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander women in designated positions.   

Jarrah House is an equal opportunity employer, committed to creating a workplace that reflects the diversity of our community and providing a working environment that embraces and values diversity and inclusion. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with disabilities and people from LGBTQ communities are encouraged to apply.  

Learn more about Jarrah House here www.jarrahhouse.com.au.