Counsellor

Gladstone Women's Health Centre – Gladstone QLD
Due to organisational growth, Gladstone Women's Health is seeking a dynamic Counsellor to provide professional counselling services.

This role will be responsible for the provision of a range of specialist therapeutic counselling and case management, risk management, and safety planning interventions with women.

Your main responsibilities will include providing counselling to individuals who may have been affected by domestic and/or sexual violence.
This may involve offering trauma-informed support and guidance to individuals who have experienced or are currently experiencing these types of abuse.
Additionally, you may have the opportunity to facilitate group therapy sessions.

Another important aspect of this role is case coordination and management, where you will be involved in ensuring that clients receive the necessary support and resources.
You will also be responsible for reporting any risk management issues that may arise, prioritising the safety and well-being of the clients.
Collaboration with other service providers and maintaining effective communication with colleagues within the organisation will also be essential.
You will also be responsible for minor financial tasks and administrative duties related to the program, ensuring that all activities are carried out within the allocated budget.

Duties and Responsibilities
Service Delivery
Work independently and in collaboration with other staff to support participants and the GWHC team.
Ensure that individuals are valued and respected and that care initiatives aim to promote independence and client self-determination.
Complete comprehensive intake assessments with clients requiring domestic and family violence support and counselling.
Complete comprehensive risk assessments and safety planning where required.
Appropriately manage and respond to all referrals, which will come from internal sources and multiple external stakeholders.
Ensure comprehensive case management and response to crisis intervention.
Ensure that all client files are completed to a high standard and that all relevant documentation is recorded and stored according to organisational policies and procedures.
Educate clients on self-care strategies, coping mechanisms, and lifestyle changes to enhance wellbeing.
On-refer clients to other services and community organisations to ensure they receive appropriate support for their presenting needs.
Actively engage in integrative/collaborative work practices.
Maintain confidentiality and duty of care, including identification of family and domestic violence and suicidality.
Leadership:
Project and promote the image of the Centre as being efficient, courteous, and client/customer-based focus.
All staff employed by the Centre will be privy to sensitive and confronting conversations regularly.
In addition to the training and support provided by the employer, the incumbent will have to be mindful of their own personal wellbeing.
Commit to supervision and professional development.
Governance:
Participate in local level networks of government and non-government agencies to contribute to a collaborative response to people who have experienced sexual violence.
Comply with the organisation's Code of Conduct.
Maintain a safe work practice in accordance with Workplace Health and Safety legislation.
People Management:
Ensure that individuals are valued and respected and that care initiatives aim to promote independence and client self-determination.
Effectively communicate with different employees of the organisation.
Reporting:
Collate client feedback.
Ensure that all client files are completed to a high standard and that all relevant documentation is recorded and stored according to organisational policies and procedures.
Teamwork:
Commitment to evaluation and monitoring and contributing to evidence-based service improvement.
Positive involvement and contribution in organisation team meetings and de-briefing other team members as required.
Contribute to the tone and culture of the organisation, model and promote team-based values and behaviours, and seek to continually enhance the capability and qualitative aspects of the organisation.
Please note that the responsibilities outlined above are not exhaustive and only an indication of the work of the role.

Experience & Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in counselling, Social work or Diploma of Counselling with registration/membership (or eligibility for registration) with the Australian Counselling Association (ACA).
Well-developed experience and skills in counselling and therapeutic support for individuals who have experienced sexual violence.
Demonstrated resilience and aptitude in working with complex and important matters, sound judgement, and ability to prioritise competing demands.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to build rapport and foster harmonious and collaborative relationships internally and with external stakeholders.
Skills, Knowledge and Ability
Knowledge and skills to ensure the provision of trauma-informed services to clients.
Knowledge and skills to ensure the provision of culturally, gender, and age-appropriate services to clients.
Knowledge regarding feminist practice and its application in working against both domestic & family violence, and sexual violence.
Working knowledge of the Domestic & Family Violence Protection Act 2012 and knowledge of court and legislative proceedings as they relate to the Act.
Experience and skills in gender-based violence risk assessment, trauma-informed practice, safety planning, crisis support, and system advocacy.
Excellent communication skills, particularly in negotiation, advocacy, and conflict resolution.
Understanding of the impact of sexual violence on victim/survivors, its complexities, and consequences.
Understanding the impact of sexual violence and its effect on women and children and sensitivity to their needs, in particular those of women who are isolated, newly arrived and/or refugee women, women from multicultural backgrounds, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women, women who identify as LGBTIQ, and women living with disability.
Quality case notes writing.
Intermediate Microsoft Office Suite skills (Word, Excel, Outlook).
Standards of Practice
Ability to deliver services in accordance with Gladstone Women's Health Centre service agreements, principles, policies and standards and operational documents.
Emotional strength to work in an environment where exposed to people who have been abused and who experience mental health issues.
Maintain professional standards of practice.
Practice within an evidence-based framework.
Participate in ongoing professional development of self and others.
Ability to successfully pass police check and Working with Children Check (blue card).
All GWHC staff are required to complete a National Police Check upon successful offer of position.
Current valid C-class driver's license.
About you:
Demonstrated understanding of particular needs and challenges faced by clients, ability to engage effectively with clients in crises and provide appropriate, trauma-informed support.
Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain professional working relationships with key stakeholders.
Demonstrated ability to work independently, as part of a team, and use initiative.
Ability to deliver services in accordance with policies, principles, and other operational documents.
Organisation and planning skills for managing and prioritising competing demands in a complex working environment.
Excellent communication skills, particularly in negotiation, advocacy, and conflict resolution.
BENEFITS OF WORKING WITH GLADSTONE WOMEN'S HEALTH
Join a well-recognised multidisciplinary organisation.
Salary Packaging option up to $15,899, increasing your take-home pay (additional meals and entertainment card option up to $2,650).
Access to other employee benefits.
Ongoing professional development opportunities, including further training, so you can broaden your horizons and sharpen your skillset.
To Apply:
Please apply through Seek, addressing selection criteria, attaching a resume and a cover letter.

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