AOD Clinician – Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander – Lower Plenty (Identified role*)

Honesty Trust Respect Concern Love

• Full-Time, Permanent
• Based in Lower Plenty, Therapeutic Community
• $108,016.22 per annum plus super.
• 17.5% annual leave loading and generous salary packaging options
• Progressive Workplace Flexibility options that enable genuine work life balance
• Applicants must identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander.

*Odyssey House Victoria considers that accepting applications only from Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander is permitted as a 'special measure' under section 8 of the Racial Discrimination Act 1975 (Cth) as this role will be best met by someone who has lived understanding of Aboriginal culture, spiritual connections to the land and good connections to the Aboriginal Community

About Odyssey Victoria:

Odyssey Victoria (OV) is a place of hope and positive change for individuals working towards breaking their pattern of addiction. At Odyssey Victoria we believe that every person should have the opportunity to change and grow. Our diverse teams work with individuals, families, and communities to reduce alcohol and other drug (AOD) use, improve mental health, and reconnect people to their family and the community. OV is a dynamic and fast-growing organisation committed to excellence in service provision and innovation in responding to alcohol and other drugs use problems.

About our Therapeutic Community (Lower Plenty):

The Therapeutic Community (TC) is a long-term residential program with 120 treatment beds that works with clients to establish healthier relationships, promote personal change, and support them in their recovery journey. An essential element of the TC is the individual clients’ relationship to the peer community.

About our Buladu Ngarrgu Program:

All first Nations peoples are welcome to participate in the weekly Buladu Ngarrgu program, which is guided by our Reconciliation Action Plan. The program benefits all residents of the Therapeutic

Community while offering relevant support and cultural recognition to Aboriginal residents. Residents are introduced to and participate in a range of activities including:

• Art, music, totem poles, didgeridoos, clap sticks
• Outings to Aboriginal cultural events
• Linkage to indigenous organisations
• Introduction and understanding of their cultural heritage
• Dancing and fire ceremonies.

As part of OHV’s Reconciliation Plan to inform and break down cultural barriers all residents take part in cultural events such as:

• National Aboriginal Children’s Day
• NAIDOC Week
• Sorry Day
• Smoking Ceremonies
• Yarning Circles.

Role Purpose:

The key purpose of this position is to provide specialist, culturally safe and responsive support for our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander residents at our Therapeutic Community in Lower Plenty. This role contributes to interventions which address underlying AOD and other issues for Aboriginal residents through case management, administration, group facilitation and engagement through a culturally safe lens.

The AOD Clinician – Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander participates in the recovery journey of residents in the Therapeutic Community by supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients through the admissions process and during their participation in the residential program. Other aspects of this role are to support staff in ensuring the Therapeutic Community is a culturally safe environment and enhance engagement with aboriginal staff, volunteers, and residents.

The role will work with the Lower Plenty Clinical Team with a focus on providing culturally appropriate support for our Aboriginal clients/ residents. This role will report to the Team – Leader Clinical but will also receive support and guidance from our Senior Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Advisor.

Key areas of focus:

Clinical

Pre-admission

In consultation with the Admissions team:

• Liaise with Admissions Team leader and Senior Aboriginal Advisor in engaging other services, including community, legal, medical, and financial services to support referrals for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders.
• Support Aboriginal clients through Admissions day processes.
• Work with the Admission team on referrals for potential Aboriginal clients/ residents.
• Provide support and information to family members.

Post-admission

• Provide support to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait residents including children during the program ensuring they receive individual and family support.
• Participate in group-based activity at the TC.
• Promote activities around significant dates and specific events and supporting the celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and inclusion.
• Support and develop the Buladu Ngarrgu program at the Lower Plenty TC.
• Working in the broader context of delivering a culturally secure program to all residents.
• Contribute to the development of individual recovery plans (IRPs).
• Develop a cultural plan for each resident (and children if applicable).
• Conduct programs / groups with other staff.
• Facilitate access to Aboriginal-specific services and programs.
• Keep case notes, update treatment plans, and other documentation.
• Contribute to team reviews, case reviews and other staff meetings.
• Support culturally appropriate discharge planning and reintegration back into the community including outreach support and follow-up.
• Provide regular reports on resident progress to relevant stakeholders and complete timely documentation as required.
• Provide community education to inform services and stakeholders of the program.
• Develop strong collaborative relationships with relevant Aboriginal community agencies and services.
• Provide court advocacy for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander residents. · Represent the organisation and its clients.
• Organise and supervise participation in appropriate events in the community.

To be successful in this role, you must…

1. Relevant tertiary/degree qualifications in Welfare, Social Work, Mental Health, Disability or Drug and Alcohol with one years’ experience and/or substantial experience or an Associate Diploma with relevant experience.
2. Cert IV in Alcohol or Other Drugs and/or a degree in Health, Mental Health or Allied Health with a minimum of the AOD Skill Set for Health professionals (or a commitment to obtain one of these within 12 months of employment)*
3. A sound understanding of the diversities of the Australian Aboriginal culture and the ability to acquire knowledge of the issues affecting the health of Aboriginal Australians.
4. A comprehensive understanding of alcohol and drug substance abuse and an understanding of residential rehabilitation services.
5. Demonstrated ability to engage clients in dialogue and develop a therapeutic relationship.
6. Well-developed organisational, interpersonal, and planning skills, with ability to apply effective case management practices, determine priorities and manage multiple tasks to deadlines.
7. Self-motivated, with the ability to take initiative and work independently as well as within a team with a consultative approach to addressing issues.
8. Ability to maintain confidentiality and remain impartial at all times.
9. Demonstrated knowledge of record keeping methods, administrative procedures, confidentiality, and privacy protocols.
10. Ability to resolve conflict and work with difficult and demanding clients.

*Note: refer to Appendix A for details on competencies

For a copy of the position description which outlines the full list of responsibilities and key selection criteria, please see attached below or click HERE: (http://odyssey.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/POSTC4090-AOD-Clinician-Aboriginal-and-Torres-Strait-Islander-LP.pdf) 

*Appendix A (AOD Competencies)

OV requires people in clinical positions to have the following competencies (or their equivalent). Where people do not already have these competencies, OV will invest in the person’s professional development by providing them through its RTO.

The competencies required in the first 12 months of employment are:

• CHCAOD001 - Work in an alcohol and other drugs context
• CHCAOD004 - Assess needs of clients with alcohol and other drugs issues.
• CHCAOD006 - Provide interventions for people with alcohol and other drugs issues.
• CHCAOD009 - Develop and review individual alcohol and other drugs treatment plans

What we can give YOU!

In return we are committed to offering you an inclusive and transparent workplace culture where our people can develop to be their very best by:

• Ongoing learning and development opportunities
• Providing work that is meaningful and challenging
• Providing career pathways across diverse OV programs.
• Access to 24/7 counselling through our Employee Assistance Provider (EAP)
• Generous leave options such as 48/52 Purchase Leave and Study Leave
• Flexible working arrangements such as monthly RDO’s for full-timers (arrangements will vary based on role requirements).

In addition to the above, staff will also be provided monthly Clinical Supervision sessions for professional development and personal wellbeing.

Application information

Please click the 'Apply Now' button below to apply directly via our careers website (applications via external recruitment websites or via email will not be considered).

Applications should be addressed to Freya Carson and include your CV and a cover letter addressing the key selection criteria.

If you have any questions relating to the position, please contact Freya Carson Team Leader – Clinical – Lower Plenty on, fcarson@odyssey.org.au using the subject line: AOD Clinician – Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander – Lower Plenty (Identified role*) enquiry via EthicalJobs.

We will be assessing applications on a rolling basis, and suitable candidates will be shortlisted immediately. This role will be open for one week and close once a suitable candidate has been selected, which may be prior to the application deadline, so please don’t wait to apply!

Our commitment to diversity

At OV we value diversity and believe that a range of backgrounds brings a variety of ideas, perspectives and experiences that will enhance our effectiveness. We promote a workplace that actively seeks to include, welcome and value unique contributions by encouraging people with disability, Aboriginal Australians, LGBTQIA, young people and people from culturally diverse backgrounds to apply for this position.

Safety screening

OV is committed to child safety and is a child safe organisation. All OV employees must undergo Police Records and Working with Children Checks. Any person issued with a negative notice on their Working with Children Check will not be eligible for employment with us.

All Odyssey Victoria sites are smoke free for all employees