The Opportunity 

The Primary Therapist, Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP), will be a key member of a multi-disciplinary team whose role will be to implement an intensive outpatient treatment service to individuals experiencing complex and problematic alcohol and other drugs use.  

The Setting 

First Step is a not-for-profit addiction, mental health, and legal services hub in the heart of St Kilda supporting over 1,600 people each year. We have a team of General Practitioners, Registered Nurses, Nurse Practitioners, Lawyers and Allied Health workers, all working together to create a community where people who use drugs and alcohol and people living with mental distress can live well, be safe and be supported.   

Our model of care is designed to address the systemic barriers faced by people with co-occurring illnesses and prioritises welcome, empathy and hope. Through the compassionate application of multiple disciplines in a team environment we focus on incremental, whole-of-life improvements that build towards physical and mental health and wellbeing. We work to help people be connected to their families, participating in society, and taking control of their own lives. At First Step we believe that everybody deserves every chance to turn their lives around.  

Primary Therapist 

The primary therapist will utilise a range of treatment interventions including Assessment, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing (MI), and psychoeducation in the delivery of this integrated Intensive Outpatient Program.  These interventions will be used in both individual and group treatment sessions.     

Adherence to the structural and clinical fidelity has been shown to be an important determinant of success for this program.  Actively adhering to the manualised treatment materials; consistent scheduling and facilitation of individual and group sessions; collection of weekly random drug/alcohol screens (note this is to inform treatment and is NOT a punitive measure); monitoring of group size; involvement of peers as co-leaders (when appropriate); and actively engaging participants throughout the process are all important elements of the Primary Therapist role.  

Applications should provide a cover letter that addresses the following Key Selection Criteria, a recent (up to date) resume and 2 professional references.  Applications that do not address the Key Selection Criteria will not be considered.  

Key Selection Criteria 

• Outline your qualifications and experience in Drug and Alcohol treatment (refer Position Description) 
• Outline your qualifications and experience of psychological therapies (refer Position Description) 
• Compare and contrast your values with those of First Step (as you understand them to be)
• Articulate your ability to collaborate within a multidisciplinary team.   Describe your ability to move between different treatment modalities (addiction medicine). 
• Describe your willingness and ability to adhere to a prescribed treatment program while treating all individuals with dignity and compassion.
• Outline your recent or ongoing professional development goals 

Note: First Step is an independent not-for-profit organisation that provides a safe and nurturing work environment for people of all backgrounds, genders, religions, sexualities, ethnicities, or any other factor.  Candidates identifying as LGBTQI+ as well as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates are strongly invited to apply. People with a lived experience of mental illness or substance use are invited to address their experience from a strength-based perspective in their applications if they feel comfortable to do so.  Note that there are designated peers at First Step and that many staff members have lived experience of drug or alcohol use and mental distress.