About the Organisation

Since 1997 Bridges Health & Community Care has been providing specialist community-based mental health and psychological services, drug and alcohol treatment and a range of other programs across the Wide Bay Burnett and Central Qld region.

Bridges Drug & Alcohol Rehabilitation & Treatment Service (DARTS) offers comprehensive therapeutic drug and alcohol service for both youth aged 12 years plus and adults. We also assist families and carers who may have difficulty coping with their loved ones problematic drug or alcohol issues.

About the Opportunity

Bridges Health & Community Care has a rewarding full time opportunity for an AOD Educator/Worker to deliver the Breakthrough for Families Program across the Wide Bay Burnett region.

Breakthrough for Families is an initiative if the Queensland Government to address the impact o of “ICE” and other drugs on families and children.

Key components of the program are:

• Evidence based drug and alcohol education to the community and
• Brief interventions for families impacted by ICE and other drugs, including alcohol.

The role of the AOD Educator/Worker will be to:

• Develop and implement a targeted education "roadshow” of presentations across the entire Wide Bay community using training and education resources developed by Qld Health and;
• Provide timely intervention for at risk families, youth and children in particular those at risk of being involved or involved in the child safety service system

We are looking for a dedicated, reliable, professional with a can-do flexible attitude and the ability to get along well with others.

Your role will also include evidence-based interventions for families impacted by drugs and alcohol issues. Services will be provided in outreach settings such as our rural clinics, homes, other providers and settings where families are likely to be also in our established treatment centres in Hervey Bay, Bundaberg, Gayndah and Maryborough.

Key responsibilities:

The AOD Educator/Worker will deliver the BFF program in accessible times, places and formats to pro-actively engage with families and to enable diverse family and community members to attend. This includes:

• Individual support sessions with families stemming from direct referrals and outreach; and
• Group work including public workshops, seminars, forums, to connect with families and the community (training will be provided) which may lead to individualised brief support.
• Market BFF widely and use a range of methods to attract a diverse audience of community members seeking advice and support for ice and other drugs
• Provide brief support to families and individuals affected by methamphetamine and other drug use in their family using the Breakthrough for Families (BFF) program.

Brief support encompasses:

• Information about ice and other drugs, understanding drug use, how to respond to someone who is affected by ice and other drugs, effects, risks and harms of use to people who use, their families and the broader community;
• Helping participants understand the impact of alcohol and other drug use on physical and mental health and develop their own strategies to keep themselves and their family safe;
• Advice on treatment, help and support options in the community for people who use substances and those affected by it including practical strategies to help family members discuss drug use and available sources of help in the community; and
• Providing families with the skills and knowledge to navigate the treatment system, while also addressing some of the barriers to seeking help.
• Improving the family functioning, social connectedness and life skills of people who misuse substances;
• Promoting the Bridges DARTS to gain broader community awareness an enhance access for the target group.

Strong communication and presentation skills are essential, enabling you to liaise appropriately with a diverse range of internal and external stakeholders.

Innovative engagement strategies and strong collaborative relationships with the health and community sector will be vital.

IT and computer skills including use of databases is also essential.

A solid understanding of community resources, treatment services and referral networks would be held in high regard.

To be successful you must be an experienced drug and alcohol practitioner and  hold a current open drivers' licence. You must also be prepared to undergo a police check and currently hold a Working with children Blue Card (Qld).

Award wages and generous salary sacrifice offered – negotiable for the right person.

Early applications are encouraged. BHCC Ltd. reserves the right to close the position sooner if a suitable applicant is found.

Please note only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.

For confidential enquiries, please contact Sharon Sarah by email only - [email protected] using the subject line: AOD Educator / Worker - Breakthrough for Families AOD Program enquiry via EthicalJobs.