Established in 2020 the Wellbeing Program is growing and we want to add another Telehealth Counsellor to the team. If you have qualifications in mental health and are passionate about improving the lives of people with eating disorders then we want to hear from you.

• Employment Status: Fixed term (until 30 June 2022), 0.8 EFT (days/times negotiable) 
• Award details: Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award 2010 (SCHADS): Level 5. Salary Sacrifice arrangements apply. 
• Reports to: Rebecca Lister, Director Strategic Programs
• Direct reports: None
• Liaises with: EDV staff, volunteers, service users and other professionals

ABOUT EDV 

Our Mission:  To assist all Victorians impacted by eating disorders to access the information, support and services they need throughout their journey, from discovery to recovery. 

Our vision: Victorians affected by an eating disorder have timely access to the information, support and services that they need to inspire hope and ensure the earliest possible recovery. 

Our Values: We embrace the following values to underpin our mission: 

Connection - Courage - Optimism - Perseverance 

Eating Disorders Victoria (EDV) is the leading community organisation helping Victorians understand and recover from eating disorders. A trusted source of support since 1983, EDV delivers a broad range of free and low-cost community services that respond across the breadth of the eating disorder experience – from discovery to recovery. 

Our services exist to: 

• Guide Victorians to the services needed for timely, evidence-based care. 
• Share with Victorians the skills developed by those who have experienced and recovered from eating disorders. 
• Provide Victorians with innovative community programs that aren’t available elsewhere.  
• Be a voice that guides Victorian stakeholders (health professionals, community leaders, decision makers) to the knowledge required to strengthen the broader system of care. 

Our services are for individuals affected by eating disorders, as well as the families, communities and professionals that support them.  

EDV’s work is proudly informed by lived-experience, as well as the expertise of health professionals and evidence-based approaches. We are a strong voice for lived experience and actively advocate for our community at local and national level. 

ROLE STATEMENT 

In 2020 EDV established the Wellbeing Program to support people with an eating disorder and their families during COVID 19. The Wellbeing Program has proved to be hugely successful and EDV now wants to expand the service by engaging a second counsellor.  

The Telehealth Counsellor and online support group organiser will provide assertive outreach to clients and families via telephone, video conferencing and email, and will support our peer mentors to facilitate a suite of online support groups for people with an eating disorder.

The Wellbeing Program sits within the EDV Strategic Programs suite of services compromising of Telehealth Nurse, Carer Program, Education and the Peer Mentoring Program. The new telehealth counsellor will work closely with the Telehealth Nurse to complement work in supporting clients and families to access treatment, set up clinical teams and develop care plans.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES  

• Support clients and their families via short-term online/phone engagement
• Provide an avenue for clients/families to express the challenges they are facing with eating disorders
• Assist clients/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
• Support continuity of care with external services.
• Support continuity of care with families and friends following hospital admissions or discharge from intensive day programs.
• Provide support, guidance and best practice to the mentors/facilitators of the online support groups
• Provide supervision to the support group facilitators
• Participate in data collection, health outcomes reporting and program evaluation

KEY SELECTION CRITERIA 

Essential: 

• Qualifications in mental health nursing, social work or psychology with competent understanding of the nature and purpose of eating disorders counselling and support services
• Registration with AHPRA, PACFA, AASW or other relevant peak body
• Proficient computer skilled (especially Word and Excel)
• 5 years’ experience in a mental health setting.
• High-level communication skills (both written and verbal) and the ability to build rapport and adapt approach according to the audience (clients, services, staff).
• Excellent time management, problem solving and organisational skills to be able to work in a busy environment with frequent interruptions.
• Ability to think creatively and practically to develop a new service
• Able to maintain confidentiality with all aspects of information in accordance with EDV and State and Federal regulations.

Desirable: 

• Experience working in an eating disorders program or mental health service
• Experience working with adolescents
• Support group facilitation experience
• Good knowledge of eating disorders and/or other mental health issues.

CONDITIONS OF CONTRACT 

 Location: The position will be based at the EDV office on Level 2 of the Magpies Community Centre (corner Lulie and Abbot Streets, Abbotsford). Please note due to COVID-19, there are restrictions to onsite working and capacity for working from home arrangements. 

Employment conditions: 

• Normal working hours will be during Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm. 
• 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). 

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. 

Wellness criteria:  EDV values the lived experience of volunteers, staff and board members in the organisation. For anyone who discloses a history of a mental illness, including eating disorders, we recommend a two-year recovery period and a ‘Declaration of Wellness’ so that all connected with EDV are able to look after themselves and be supported. 

Applications are to include a current CV, with two references and a cover letter addressing the Key Selection Criteria.

Interviews to be held in the week beginning 9 August.

For more information about the role and working at EDV contact Rebecca Lister, Director Strategic Programs – [email protected] / 9994 0354 x215