• EMPLOYMENT STATUS: Part time - 22.8 hours per week - 3 days
• Monday – remote work optional, Tuesday in office, third day flexible
• Fixed term contract to June 30, 2024. (further contract pending funding)
• AWARD DETAILS: Health Professionals and Support Services Award - Level dependant on experience
• Generous salary packaging available.
• REPORTS TO: Manager Telehealth Support Programs and Practice Development Lead
• LIAISES WITH: EDV staff, individuals experiencing an eating disorder and their families/support people, relevant external stakeholders

ABOUT US

Eating disorders are complex and debilitating mental illnesses that affect up to 1 in 20 people. Like any mental illness, they are not the fault of the individual and can affect anyone no matter their age, gender or background. While serious, eating disorders are treatable.

With the right support, full recovery is possible for everyone.

Eating Disorders Victoria is the trusted guide for Victorians affected by eating disorders. We help people get the support they need to inspire hope and ensure the earliest possible recovery.

How we work:

We are a committed, engaged and progressive community health service who value innovation. We are known for developing and delivering eating disorder services that can’t be found anywhere else in Australia, or even the world. We are a strong voice for people affected by eating disorders and actively advocate for our eating disorder affected community at state and national level.

We pride ourselves on being a vibrant place to work, where creativity, collaboration and lived experience are highly valued and supported.

All of our work is guided by our values of Connection, Courage, Optimism and Perseverance.

Where we are going:

We are moving through an exciting time of reform in Victoria’s Mental Health System, and have every intention of ensuring eating disorders are fully supported in this new system. We want eating disorders to be considered core business when it comes to mental health, so that more Victorians are identified, diagnosed and put on the path to recovery, sooner.

We are focused on delivering high quality, data-driven community services that demonstrate the impact of our work, while underscoring the growing community demand for specialised eating disorder services. Underpinning this is an evolving culture of strong clinical governance, which supports the wellbeing of staff, volunteers and our service users.

We consider the lived experience workforce to be pivotal to the future of eating disorder treatment and are positioned to be leaders in this emerging field.

What we can offer you:

• A genuinely nice place to work – we know that our people are our best asset
• Support and encouragement to grow your skill set in a hands-on environment
• Ability to take ownership of your role
• Opportunities to engage in a fun social calendar of events
• Hybrid working arrangements (minimum 50% in-office time in Abbotsford)
• Ability to take scheduled mental health days to focus on your personal wellness
• Regular supervision provided for all staff
• Salary packaging arrangements (increasing your take-home pay)

ROLE STATEMENT

The Telehealth Counsellors provide short term (1-5 sessions) counselling support to clients and families via telephone, video conferencing and email, and support peer mentors to facilitate a suite of online support groups for people with an eating disorder.

The telehealth counselling program is a targeted service for those impacted by eating disorder symptoms across Victoria. The primary client group is early help seekers and / or carers and families with a primary focus on early support access or understanding, waitlist support, relapse prevention and support for those in rural or remote areas of Victoria.

Telehealth counselling operates within a suite of mental health, physical health and peer programs including Telehealth Nursing, Online Support Groups and Carer Coaching. The telehealth counsellors work collaboratively as part of this team and actively engage any other services or stakeholders engaged in a person's care.  

Lived Experience at EDV

At EDV we have a commitment to supporting employees with lived experience through a range of supports and highly encourage those with lived experience to apply.  Candidates who have lived experience of an eating disorder or who have lived experience of caring for a person with an eating disorder must align with the definitions as detailed in the attached Position Description.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

Therapeutic Support:

• Support clients and / or their families via short-term 1-5 session online/phone counselling including;
• Assist clients and / or families to explore strategies for addressing challenges e.g., simple strategies for distress tolerance, options for connecting with others
• Support client/family empowerment through education and information provision including connecting clients to EDV’s other support services
• Take a holistic, trauma informed and person-centered approach to care
• Provide support, guidance and best practice to the peer mentors/facilitators of the online support groups where needed to assist and facilitate groups.
• Attend and actively engage in reflective practice, supervision, staff meetings, and other internal meetings; keep up to date with EDV news and sector developments. 

Administration and Data Management

• Keep clients' electronic files up to date via Salesforce Client Management System
• Support data collation, health outcomes reporting and program evaluation 
• Assist with administrative tasks and special projects as required

Stakeholder Engagement

• Work in close collaboration with the telehealth team and broader EDV services to ensure consistent, safe and effective care
• Liaise with multiple external stakeholders for collaborative continuity of care, including those in the eating disorder sector, mental health and allied health organisations 

KEY SELECTION CRITERIA

Essential:

Qualifications

• Qualification in social work, counselling, psychology, occupational therapy or mental health nursing.
• Registration with AHPRA, PACFA, AASW or other relevant peak body.

Professional Experience

• Competent understanding of the nature and purpose of eating disorders counselling and support services for clients and / or their families.
• Ability to achieve or be working towards ANAZED credential status
• Experience in a mental health and / or counselling setting.
• Excellent time management, problem solving and organisational skills to be able to work in a busy environment with frequent interruptions.
• Able to maintain confidentiality with all aspects of information in accordance with EDV and State and Federal regulations.
• Proficient computer skills

Communication Skills

• High-level communication skills (both written and verbal) and the ability to build rapport and adapt approach according to the audience (clients, services, staff).

Stakeholder Engagement

• Ability to work respectfully and collaboratively within a multi-disciplinary team and lived experience workforce.

Desirable:

• Experience in providing counselling in a telehealth setting.
• Experience working in a specific eating disorders program or mental health service
• Support group coordination or facilitation experience

Employment conditions:

Location: This position will be based at the EDV office on Level 2 of the Magpies Community Centre (corner Lulie and Abbot Streets, Abbotsford).  We also offer hybrid working options, with a minimum 50% of time in the office (refer role specific requirements outlined above)

Normal working hours will be between Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 5pm. There may at times be some out of hours work and this will be negotiated with your manager.

Other conditions as mandated by the Fair Work Act. 

Subject to satisfactory Working with Children Check, National Police Check and completion of Conflict-of-Interest Declaration. 
Probationary period will apply (3-months). 

Wellness Plan:

EDV acknowledge that the work in this sector can be challenging and stressful, which can impact on all employees, volunteers and students' personal wellbeing and mental health. All staff complete a ‘Wellness Plan’ and this important document acknowledges that in times of stress, a commitment to positive mental health practices and supports can improve resilience and wellbeing.  

Ethical requirements: 

All EDV staff are required to adhere to the EDV Code of Ethics, Code of Conduct, Core Values and guiding principles and relevant organisational policies, practices and guidelines. 

HOW TO APPLY

To apply, please navigate to the 'Apply Now' section and include a resume and a cover letter including a specific response to each of the Key Selection Criteria (found on the position description).

A position description is attached.

Please combine these as a single document. Direct applications to EDV via email will not be monitored.

If you don’t meet all of the key selection criteria, but are still keen to work with us, we want to hear from you! Please just tell us what you will bring to the role within your application.

For more information about the role and working at EDV contact Sarah Pollitt, Manager Telehealth Support Programs and Practice Development Lead at [email protected], using the subject line: Telehealth Counsellor enquiry via EthicalJobs.