Role Purpose:

The purpose of this position is to provide high-quality gambling counselling to Vietnamese individuals, their families and significant others, and to promote greater public awareness about the social issues associated with problem gambling through the provision of information to the Vietnamese community.

Key Responsibilities:

Gambling Help Service Counselling Responsibilities

• Provide empathetic and non-judgmental counselling that affirms strengths and encourages clients’ self-efficacy to make positive changes to their gambling behaviour.
• Provide therapeutic counselling to reduce the impact and severity of those affected by problem gambling and their friends and family, and to enhance their wellbeing.
• Employ an integration of contemporary theoretical and evidence-based approaches to inform counselling treatment for individuals and/or significant others, including family members and friends, who have been adversely affected by gambling.
• Operate within a client-centred practice which will support clients to work towards individual gambling change goals.
• When required provide information, advice and referral to those affected by gambling.
• Develop and provide therapeutic group workshop activities to the target audience, including Vietnamese speaking offenders.

Gambling Help Service Community Education and Engagement Responsibilities

• Work within a harm minimisation framework to promote greater public awareness of the social issues associated with problem gambling.
• Provide primary community education interventions, such as the provision of information, to raise awareness about the impacts of gambling and the promotion of responsible gambling practices.
• Build partnerships with key GHS stakeholders, including the community, government and gaming industry, to actively facilitate the engagement and referral to GHS services and ensure clear referral pathways for people accessing AVWA gambling help services.
• Work with other team member(s) to identify key AVWA GHS stakeholders, target audiences and strategies in the development of Community Education/Engagement and Communications Plans, and ensure plans are consistent with AVWA’s holistic approach.
• Monitor and maintain GHS Community Education/Engagement and Communication Plans and adjust as required in consultation with the Funding body (VRGF).
• Work with AVWA Media & IT Team and the Vietnamese media to strengthen relationships, distribute AVWA endorsed media materials to promote greater public awareness about problem gambling.
• Maintain and record data as required by the funding body.

Other Clinical Responsibilities

• Work within a case management framework, and work collaboratively with the client to establish individual counselling plans, interventions and actively managed supported case closure and follow-up processes.
• Conduct screening intake and assessment, assessing for risk of mental health issues, suicide, domestic/family violence, relationship distress and alcohol/drug dependence. Those requiring clinical services are to be referred to appropriate support.
• Where directed work across different modes of service delivery including phone and online services.
• Participate in regular case reviews to determine client’s ongoing needs and progress against counselling plan.
• Monitor and report on pre and post client outcomes as required by program performance measures.
• Maintain confidentiality and duty of care, including identification of domestic and family violence.
• Maintenance of appropriate files and case notes as per organisational policies and procedures.
• Meet legislative and funding requirements.
• Achieve the organisation’s targets for caseload and completed client sessions as designated for the program.
• A commitment to supervision and professional development.

Administrative Responsibilities

• Maintain computer-based diary management system to enable effective and informed client bookings.
• At times assist with the provision of administrative duties, which may include reception, telephone, resource filing and general office duties.

Organisational Responsibilities

• Adhere to the Code of Conduct in a manner that is consistent with both its spirit and intent.
• Adhere to all organisational policies, procedures, standards and practices.
• To act only in ways that advances AVWA objectives, values and reputation.
• To act with honesty, integrity and good faith at all times.
• To raise any issues or concerns in a manner consistent with AVWA complaints and grievance processes.
• Other duties, consistent with skills and experience, as directed by the CEO and or her delegates.

Selection Criteria:

1. Appropriate qualifications in the social or behavioural sciences.
2. Demonstrated experience, and theoretical knowledge of working therapeutically with addiction, specifically gambling, in a variety of settings, for example individuals, couples, families and groups.
3. Demonstrated ability to develop and deliver education and awareness programs, as well as an understanding of theoretical frameworks and models of adult education and community development.
4. Previous experience in managing caseloads and effective time management.
5. Knowledge and application of relevant legislation and regulations relating to gambling and debt recovery.
6. Demonstrated competency in computer use.
7. Highly developed interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal.
8. Capacity to engage constructively and respectfully with individuals of diverse cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds, abilities and genders, to achieve mutually beneficial outcomes and promote the principles of social justice, effective consultation and equitable access to services – particularly for those identified as vulnerable or at risk.
9. Ability to work as a team member within the ethos and values of AVWA.
10. Fluent in Vietnamese and English