Position Description Counsellor/ Psychosocial Team leader

Transcription

1 We get it. Just when life should be full of possibilities, cancer crashes into a young person s world and shatters everything. CanTeen is the game changer. CanTeen is a national support organisation for year olds who cope with cancer in their family. Through CanTeen, they learn to explore and deal with feelings about cancer, connect with other young people in the same boat and if they have been diagnosed themselves, we also provide specialist, youthspecific treatment teams. Working for CanTeen is a chance to support young people rebuilding the foundations that crumbled beneath them when cancer turned their world upside down. You can be the difference. As a Counsellor you will be responsible for the delivery of counselling services for all young people affected by cancer, in both individual and group format. In addition, you will take the lead role in the provision of clinical support for the psychosocial team. The position is based in the Brisbane office; however outreach days in different locations may be required. The counsellor also plays an integral role within the Brisbane team and may assist with the design of psychosocial sessions for camps, and attend a small number of these per year. While the role is predominantly face to face, the State supports young people across Queensland and the counsellor will engage in counselling via a range of mediums including via the Online Support Platform (telephone, chat based and support). This is a full time, fixed term contract for 2 years based in Brisbane. It is anticipated that 0.7 FTE will be dedicated to counselling duties and 0.3 to psychosocial team leader responsibilities. We are looking for a candidate who can satisfy the below criteria: Relevant tertiary qualifications as a Registered Psychologist, Occupational Therapist, or Social Worker Minimum 3 years experience in the clinical setting and/or counselling service using a number of evidence based interventions (CBT, IPT, ACT, Narrative etc.) Minimum 3 years post registration experience in a clinical setting using a number of evidence based interventions (CBT, IPT, ACT, Narrative therapy etc.) Experience in delivering therapeutic interventions via at least two of the following modalities: individual, group, family and/or online Experience and fluency with using web based technology, including: chat/instant messaging, , telephone systems, SMS, and client management systems. Experience in providing clinical support to allied health and other staff within a multi-disciplinary team context Experience in the oncology and/or haematology sector Most importantly A passion and drive to work for CanTeen and to make a difference to young people s lives Working for CanTeen not only enables you to do amazing work, but we also provide a range of benefits for our employees including a tax-effective salary packaging scheme, leave loading, mobile phone, training and development opportunities and plenty more. We also offer a motivating working environment, a culture we are proud of, and all with the support of a committed and passionate team. Please written applications addressing the above selection criteria by close of business on Friday XX February 2017 to careers@canteen.org.au.

2 Position Description Title: Counsellor/ Psychosocial Team Leader Reports To: State/Territory Manager Direct Reports: Nil Key Working Relationships: Psychosocial Support Workers (PSW s), Programs Officers, State/ Territory Managers, Online Support Platform Manager, CanTeen Counsellors, Director of Psychosocial Support, Psychosocial Practice Coordinator, CanTeen Members, other service providers. Job Summary As Counsellor you will be part of the overall psychosocial support team for the State/ Territory. Through initial triage, young people experiencing high levels of distress and unmet needs will be allocated to the Therapeutic Care Stream, and you will be assigned as their key worker. You will provide psychosocial assessment, review and counselling services to support the client s current needs delivering counselling in both individual and group format (including group work on overnight psychosocial programs). You will participate in weekly case review meetings and engage in multidisciplinary case review for all young people for the state/territory and occasionally consult on cases with staff in other states/territories. As the Psychosocial Team Leader you will be responsible for providing clinical support to CanTeen psychosocial staff and facilitating case discussions. You will play a key role in CanTeen s psychosocial practices and delivery of high quality psychosocial support services for young people living with cancer, through the provision of both clinical support and supervision for team members as well as the provision of direct service to young people living with cancer. You will be based in the state/territory office; however, sometimes outreach days in different locations may be required. While the majority of counselling services will be delivered in person, to best meet the needs of young people, especially those that are geographically isolated, you will deliver services via a range of mediums including CanTeen s Online Support Platform (telephone, chat based and support). Duties and Responsibilities: Individual Support: - Assess young people in line with CanTeen s Psychosocial Model, including providing intake, assessment, individual support planning and periodic reviews at defined intervals - Respond to enquiries from families, health and education professionals and others including friends and partners of YPLWC that may be relevant to their care. CanTeen s services engage in family inclusive practice - Encourage communication between young people and their health professionals - If applicable, ensure that referrals are made to suitable resources within the local health and nonhealth-related networks, liaising with family when appropriate Provision of counselling: - Deliver counselling services to young people affected by cancer via individual and/or group based interventions; this will primarily involve in-person counselling but will also include some online and telephone counselling and occasional work with the Canteen Online Support Service ( , IM and phone counselling). - Operate within Canteen s preferred models of service delivery and/or models endorsed by the Director of Psychosocial Support or the Clinical Governance Group

3 Clinical support and supervision: - Lead group supervision and case discussion sessions for the team fortnightly, and otherwise as required - Establish strong referral, intake and care planning processes in line with CanTeen s Psychosocial and Referral Process - Provide advice and support to the State Manager on addressing the psychosocial needs of individual young people living with cancer - Work closely with the State Manager to establish a strong team-based approach to supporting young people living with cancer Community liaison and service promotion: - Liaise with hospital social work and palliative care teams, wards, oncology staff, outpatient clinics, schools and the wider community to establish and build effective cancer, medical and psychosocial networks, and ensure they receive up-to-date information about CanTeen services and activities on a regular basis; - Work closely with the State Manager to develop formal referral processes with hospitals and other key stakeholders that ensure the high quality care and support of individual young people in line with Privacy and other legislative requirements - In collaboration with State Manager and members; develop, engage and increase the State membership and peer support network - Participate in regional tours to promote CanTeen to regional communities, as required Best Practice: - keep abreast of new areas of best practice, clinical guidelines, and professional requirements. - attend regular professional group supervision provided by CanTeen and other appropriate courses for professional development as agreed with direct line manager Hours Of Work Some weekend work will be required for staff development events, delivery of counselling workshops/groups and as a staff member in the delivery of overnight psychosocial programs (camps), for which you will be given time off in lieu as per policy. Service demand by young people will require regular work outside of regular business hours and flexible hours of operations can be negotiated with direct line manager.

4 Criteria for the role Qualifications Relevant tertiary qualifications as a Registered Psychologist, Occupational Therapist, or Social Worker Registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) or Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) Minimum 3 years experience in the clinical setting and/or counselling service using a number of evidence based interventions (CBT, IPT, ACT, Narrative etc.) Knowledge/Skills/Experience Required Minimum 3 years post registration experience in a clinical setting using a number of evidence based interventions (CBT, IPT, ACT, Narrative therapy etc.) Experience in delivering therapeutic interventions via at least two of the following modalities: individual, group, family and/or online Experience and fluency with using web based technology, including: chat/instant messaging, , telephone systems, SMS, and client management systems. Excellent clinical record keeping, administration, reporting and computer skills Excellent written and oral communication skills Experience working with young people and young adults Experience in providing clinical support to allied health and other staff within a multi-disciplinary team context Strong networking skills that include the ability to build strong interagency networks and present confidently Desirable Experience in the oncology and/or haematology sector Experience working with adolescents, young adults and families affected by a life-threatening illness. Experience conducting counselling with families and parents. Personal Attributes Warm and approachable, ability to listen actively, friendly and professional High level of integrity, honesty and commitment Highly motivated, team player Ability to handle stressful situations Strong attention to detail and good initiative Adaptable to change Able to work autonomously A passion and drive to work with CanTeen and to make a difference in the lives of young people living with cancer

5 General Information All employees are required to adhere to CanTeen s Human Resources Policies during the course of their employment. Pre-employment checks As CanTeen s work involves employees being in direct contact with children and young people, employees are required to complete police and working with children checks, relevant to the State in which they will be employed. CanTeen will conduct at least two reference checks on successful applicants, and will also require proof of any professional qualifications stated on an application.