*Please note this position is also being advertised as a Registered Nurse Alcohol and other Drug (522983dL4). Please note Multiple Positions will be filled on Merit
*This is not a graduate level position. 2-3 years post registration experience expected.
Make a Meaningful Difference in People’s Lives
Are you an experienced allied health professional with a passion for supporting people affected by alcohol and other drug use? This is a rewarding opportunity to work in a specialist service where your clinical expertise, therapeutic skills and professional judgement will have a genuine impact on individuals, families and communities across Tasmania.
The Team
The Tasmanian Department of Health is seeking a dedicated and motivated Alcohol and Other Drug Senior Counsellor to join Alcohol and Drug Services (ADS). You will work as part of a multidisciplinary team delivering high‑quality, evidence‑based alcohol and other drug treatment services in line with contemporary best practice, professional standards and primary health care principles.
ADS provides a supportive and collaborative working environment that values clinical leadership, professional development, quality improvement and excellence in person‑centred care.
The Role
This role is open to Occupational Therapists, Social Workers and Psychologists with experience delivering counselling and therapeutic interventions in alcohol and other drug settings, who are seeking an opportunity to work in a specialist, multidisciplinary service.
As an Alcohol and Other Drug Senior Counsellor, you will provide specialised, evidence‑based assessment, treatment and counselling services to individuals and their families/carers affected by alcohol and other drug use. Clients frequently present with complex needs, including co‑occurring mental health conditions and broader psychosocial challenges.
In this senior clinical role, you will also contribute to service development, clinical supervision and mentoring, and collaboration across the health and community service system to enhance outcomes for clients.
In the role of Alcohol and Other Drug Senior Counsellor, you will:
- Deliver specialised counselling and therapeutic interventions to individuals and families affected by alcohol and other drug use
- Undertake comprehensive AOD assessments and provide 1:1 counselling for clients with complex and co‑occurring needs
- Provide clinical consultation, advice and liaison with internal teams and external agencies to optimise coordinated care
- Support the Team Leader in the provision of clinical supervision, mentoring and guidance to counsellors, less experienced staff and students
- Contribute to the development, implementation and evaluation of specialised alcohol and other drug psychosocial treatment programs
- Participate in education, health promotion and community awareness activities
- Maintain high‑quality clinical documentation and prepare clear, well‑presented treatment reports
- Actively contribute to quality assurance, continuous improvement, research and policy and procedure review activities
This role offers the opportunity to combine advanced clinical practice with leadership, mentorship and service improvement in a highly meaningful and impactful area of health care.
You Will Need
To be successful in this role, you will demonstrate:
- Strong experience delivering counselling and specialised therapeutic interventions in an alcohol and other drug setting
- Sound knowledge of contemporary, evidence‑based AOD practice, including harm minimisation approaches
- Demonstrated ability to undertake comprehensive assessments and deliver effective interventions for clients with complex and co‑occurring needs
- Proven experience providing 1:1 counselling and working collaboratively with clients, families/carers and service providers
- Well‑developed communication skills, with the ability to maintain high‑quality clinical documentation and treatment reports
- Capacity to contribute to quality improvement, service development and/or program evaluation activities
- Effective teamwork skills and the ability to work within a multidisciplinary and broader service system
Note: - Please refer to the Statement of Duties for all the selection criteria of this position to address in your application.
Why Tasmania:
The Department of Health Tasmania oversees various hospitals across the state, including the Royal Hobart Hospital, Launceston General Hospital, Northwest Regional Hospital, and Mersey Community Hospital, as well as district hospitals and ambulance services. Additionally, it provides community health, mental health, and primary healthcare services to the Tasmanian community through more than 300 sites.
Tasmania, Australia's only island state, offers unparalleled natural beauty and a luxurious lifestyle. Pursuing your health career in Tasmania’s public health system means building strong connections with colleagues and patients. It also means embracing a lifestyle where you can enjoy extraordinary experiences outside of work while making a significant impact on the community during work.
This role is based in Southern Tasmania; you can find out more about the region here
Details of appointment:
Multiple permanent, full time and part time, day worker positions, working up to 76 hours per fortnight, commencing as soon as possible.
*notwithstanding hours to be negotiated with the successful applicant.
Applicants should note that, for a period of twelve months from the date of publication, this selection process may be used to fill subsequent or similar full time, part time, and casual vacancies.
Salary:
$110,425 to $121,907 pro rata per annum + our Employer 12% superannuation contribution is on top of this amount.
- Salary range is in accordance with Agreement Allied Health Professionals Public Sector Unions Wages Agreement No. 2 of 2022
Salary Packaging:
You’ll have access to salary package a range of benefits including living expenses up to $9,010 + $2,650 in meal entertainment each FBT year + other benefits if eligible
Allowances:
- Please note that access to salaries beyond $119,290 is subject to qualifications and/or application to the personal upgrade scheme
In addition, the following allowances calculated on the salaried incremental point may be available: (edit and delete as required)
- Professional Development Allowance of up to $1000 per annum
Benefits available to eligible candidates:
- Travel and relocation assistance support available up to $15,000 for eligible appointees from overseas, and up to $10,000 for appointees from interstate.
- Professional development and accelerated pathways.
- A range of leave entitlements, including study leave and Professional Development Support.
- Fitness Passport – You, and your family can access 40+ fitness facilities across Tasmania for just $14.50 per week per person, or $28.05 for a family.
More information about our Employee Benefits can be found here
Eligibility:
Successful applicants will be required to meet the essential criteria.
- Registered with the Occupational Therapy Board of Australia; or
- Degree in Social Work giving eligibility for membership of the Australian Association of Social Workers; or
- Registered with the Psychology Board of Australia
- Current Working with Children Registration
*Registration/licences that are essential requirements of this role must remain current and valid at all times whilst employed in this role and the status of these may be checked at any time during employment. It is the employee’s responsibility to ensure that registration/licences remain current and to advise the Employer if their circumstances change. This includes notifying the Employer if a registration/licence is revoked, cancelled or has its conditions altered.
Applicants should note the following criteria are desirable:
- Holds, or is working towards, a relevant tertiary qualification in alcohol and or other drugs (AOD) field
- Current Driver’s Licence
Note: - Please refer to the Application Guide for more information of pre-employment check.
Download the Statement of Duties and any Associated Documents
We encourage you to review the Statement of Duties, Applicant Guide, prior to applying for an overview of the duties, program, selection process and application guidance.
Statement of Duties:
Application Guide:
How to apply:
Apply Online. Please click the "Apply" button on this screen to ensure that important questions about you are answered.
You will be prompted to complete a 1–2-page application detailing your experience, skills and knowledge as they relate to the attached Statement of Duties. A separate statement addressing the selection criteria in the Statement of Duties is not required.
*applications from Recruitment agencies will not be accepted for this role
*only Recruitment Agencies specifically contracted are invited to provide applicants to this role
For more information:
Applicants who require further information are encouraged to contact the Contact person for detailed information about the vacancy.
Name: Ellen Waugh
Position: Director of Nursing- Alcohol & Drug Services South
Phone number: 6166 0808
Email address: ellen.waugh.ths.tas.gov.au
What it is like working at the Department of Health?
Compassion, Accountability, Respect, Excellent are the key values to work in Department of Health. Listen to some of the lived experiences from within the department through some of our wonderful staff and hear about their journey in relocating to Tasmania!
Make It Tasmania | Move for a great lifestyle
One Health Podcast - Spotify
One Health Podcast - Apple
Tasmanian Health Careers | Tasmanian
Department of Health has achieved the “Carer Accredited Employer Status” providing support to employees with caring responsibilities. (Find out more under the Carer Recognition Act 2023).
Respecting diversity is the foundation of everything that Department of Health do. This allows us to instil trust and collaborate through honest and fair communication and helps cultivate an environment of growth and innovation. We strongly encourage applicants from key communities including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, LGBTIQA+ people, and people living with disabilities.
