Team Leader, Client Services - Hunter

Ok, so what’s the role?

ACON provides services to people living with (PLHIV), affected by or at risk of HIV, and to sexually and/or gender diverse people in NSW that are aged 18 or over. This position is responsible for:

1. The line supervision and support of ACON’s funded counselling services, and care coordination team to ensure the highest quality counselling support to PLHIV, and to sexuality and gender diverse people.
2. Lead and support team functions related to service quality and performance, including monitoring and reporting on KPIs, contributing to continuous quality improvement initiatives, facilitating team meetings, supporting staff through the Learning & Development framework, and coordinating Professional Development Processes (PDPs) to ensure alignment with clinical standards and organisational goals.
3. Managing a small counselling/care coordination caseload using a short-term, solution-focused counselling approach to clients presenting with a range of mental health needs relating to HIV, gender and sexuality, mental health and substance support as well as ageing and domestic and family violence.

Who are we looking for?

This positions main responsibilities are:

• Plan, schedule, deliver and evaluate ACON’s counselling and care coordination services to achieve established goals and objectives in line with ACON’s Business and Strategic Plans.
• Ensure these services are delivered within ACON’s protocols and policies.
• Provide regular line supervision and de-briefing support (as required) to your team of care coordinator/counsellors.
• Work alongside the Peer Work Team Leaders to case conference high risk or immediate need clients.
• Contribute to regular Peer and Client Service Team Leader meetings to best identify ways of meeting community needs and supporting the sustainability and wellbeing of the overall Hunter Peer and Client Services team.
• Liaise with all teams within Peer and Client Services to ensure referrals and intakes are completed ensuring smooth and efficient allocation of clients to the most appropriate service stream.
• Support care coordinator/counsellors to utilise a range of best practice strategies within ACON’s model of care, including effective care and support strategies for clients living with or impacted by HIV.
• Consult on Counselling and Care Coordination Services policies and procedures as needed.
• Ensure you team collects and records high quality client information in the electronic client record database.
• Actively lead team meetings and participate in broader unit meetings, general staff meetings, quality improvement and professional development strategies.
• Continually enhance networks with primary health care, agencies and external service providers to ensure that all clients are provided with a comprehensive range of options and referrals.
• Provide short-term solutions focused counselling and care coordination to a caseload of between 6-10 clients of PLHIV, and people of diverse sexuality and gender. This includes providing referrals to appropriate external health and community services including specialist counselling, legal and social support.
• Maintain a professional standard of behaviour and the confidentiality of all information pertaining to clients and their families.
• Perform other duties to assist with the work of the unit as requested by the Manager (or designate).

What else can we tell you?

ACON provides a colourful, nurturing, and fun workplace. Our employees and volunteers are the foundation for our ongoing effectiveness and for our capacity to deliver innovative community engagement and health promotion programs and initiatives for our communities.

To support the successful candidate in their new role at ACON we offer:

• Flexible working arrangements.
• Generous learning and development opportunities.
• Potential for tailored mentoring opportunities.
• Supportive working environment with a knowledgeable and friendly team.

What’s the remuneration and working details? 

Salary:                 $112,257 per-annum FTE (Gross Salary, PLUS Superannuation and Leave Loading)

Location:            ACON’s Awabakal / Hunter Office in Newcastle with some flexible working options a possibility (away from the office).

Hours:             Full time, 70 hours per fortnight on a 12 Month fixed term contract with the possibility of extension.

We offer flexible working arrangements and a generous array of entitlements often above the National Employment Standards (NES) including:

• Salary Packaging up to $35,000 gross up value (i.e., currently up to $15,900 Expenses + $2,650 Meals, tax free).
• Generous pro-rata leave entitlements – including up to an extra week of paid leave for full time employees to be taken during our Christmas and New Year’s shutdown period.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) – access to a comprehensive counselling service free to employees.

Details

Download Position Description

Essential Criteria

1.       Tertiary qualifications and registration with the relevant professional body in psychology, social work or occupational therapy.

2.       Minimum of five years’ experience in mental health service delivery, preferably within the context of LGBTQ+ mental health, suicide prevention, trans mental health, domestic and family violence and/or substance support.

3.       Demonstrated experience in leadership, including building strong team cultures, managing clinical risks, and line supervising teams in a multi-disciplinary environment.

4.       Demonstrated skills in a number of the following short-term solution-focused interventions; Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Solutions Focused Brief Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Motivational Interviewing and Positive Behavioural approaches.

5.       Demonstrated experience in the assessment of psychosocial needs as well as demonstrated insight into the broader range of social factors that may impact on the mental and physical health and wellbeing of LGBTQ+ people and PLHIV.

6.       Understanding of and commitment to ACON’s communities, particularly people living with or affected by HIV.

7.       Understanding of primary health care and how this position interfaces with GPs, other health services and the client.

8.       Advanced level of oral and written communication skills including active listening, empathy, negotiation, conflict resolution and feedback.

9.       Administration and system planning skills as well as proficiency in all Office software programs.

10.   Actively participate in, and contribute to an ongoing process of supervision, unit meetings, team meetings, general staff meetings, quality improvement and professional development strategies.

11.   Champion the development and sustained implementation of diversity and inclusion initiatives within the workplace, actively promoting a culture that respects, celebrates and cultivates differences among staff and volunteers.

12.   Evidence of up-to-date recommended vaccinations to meet any Department of Health requirements for the role.

Desirable Criteria

1.       Project Management experience

2.       Current driver’s license

Other Information

Peer & Client Services support LGBTQ+ health & wellbeing through peer work, counselling, & care coordination. We’re seeking someone to join our Hunter team to assist our care coordinators/counsellors.

How to Apply

How can I find out more details and apply? 

If this sounds like you, we invite you to apply to join our team and help us make a meaningful impact on the lives of those we serve. By joining us, you will be part of a mission to create a healthier and more inclusive community.

We’d love someone who has experience already in this area but people at all levels of experience are absolutely welcome to apply. We highly encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people from CALD backgrounds, people with disabilities, and people of all genders to apply.

For more information on the role, please contact Louise Dunne, Regional Operations Manager, via email at ldunne@acon.org.au or (02) 49627700.

If this sounds like the position and organisation you’ve been looking for, find out how to apply at www.acon.org.au/jobs.

Your ONLINE APPLICATION must include:

1. Your completed ACON Employment Application Form with all the details filled in where requested; attaching your:

a. Cover Letter outlining how the position aligns with your Personal Values and Interests, and how your Skills and Experience meet the Essential Selection Criteria in the Position Description; and

b. Resume outlining any current and previous employment and training. Be sure to include your Education History and any Formal Qualifications, Major / Minor Study Fields, Honours and Publications, and Work Experience (including Paid Jobs, Internships, and Volunteer work).

ACON Health Limited

ACON is Australia’s largest health promotion organisation specialising in community health, inclusion, and HIV responses for people of diverse sexualities and genders. Established in 1985, ACON works to create opportunities for people in our communities to live their healthiest lives.

We are grounded in the belief that diversity is our strength, our differentiator, and at the core of who we are and what we do. As part of our commitment to inclusion, we encourage applications from people living with HIV, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and LGBTQ people from culturally, linguistically and ethnically diverse, migrant and refugee backgrounds, and LGBTQ people of colour.