About us

We are an independent, non-profit organisation dedicated to ensuring sexual and reproductive health services are equally accessible to all people living in Australia. Marie Stopes Australia is the only national accredited provider of abortion, contraception and vasectomy services, and the country’s longest running provider of teleabortion. Our holistic, client-centred approach empowers individuals to control their reproductive health safely, and with dignity, regardless of their circumstances. Through active partnerships with healthcare providers, researchers and communities, our models of care ensure the total wellbeing of our clients is supported at every stage.

Your purpose:

The Allied Health Manager will lead the Counselling Service’s three streams – Intake, Counselling and Case Management. Providing strategic direction, leadership and innovation you will be responsible for the counselling services, quality assurance, professional development and administration of the overall counselling service provision.

You will ensure best practice in Trauma Informed counselling is delivered across the counselling service as well as overseeing statistical data collection systems, ensuring effective and efficient procedures are in place to meet reporting requirements. You will contribute to quality improvement and see that compliance with legislative requirements in constantly met. You will present yourself as a representative of Marie Stopes in all interactions and constantly lead the unified mission of quality client care within the team.

Your responsibilities will include, but are not limited to:

• Ensure best practice in Trauma Informed counselling is delivered across counselling services
• Maintain engagement with Social Work Student Placement partners
• Provide non-directive pregnancy options counselling and support-based counselling for women and pregnant people in line with Marie Stopes Australia’s policies and procedures as required
• Leadership and management of counselling service, including the ability to work under broad direction, exercise original thinking and drive service innovation and delivery of new services.
• Maintain and monitor the counselling program statistical data collection systems and ensure effective and efficient procedures are in place to meet reporting requirements
• Establish and maintain collaborative and productive working relationships with all stakeholders and partners, both internally and externally.
• Ensure that service goals are met in accordance with established counselling values, policies, procedures and legislation.
• Manage counselling contact systems including referral, intake, assessments, allocation reviews and data collection
• Ensure the counselling team is adequately resourced and new staff are appropriately inducted, trained and supported, particularly within the frameworks of Trauma Informed Practices, Attachment based Practices, client centred modalities and short-term decision based psychotherapy
• Maintain an effective and collaborative relationship with internal stakeholders to ensure effective provision of counselling services and the integration of counselling services with other clinical and non-clinical functions
• Participate in team planning, reference groups and working parties inside and outside the organisation where appropriate
• Provide leadership for the counselling team’s clinical development and performance, including performance management, performance reviews and clinical oversight and compliance
• Contribute to the achievement of quality improvement, both in terms of individual and service performance by encouraging an environment where high quality work is achieved and supported by the adherence to and development of quality systems and documentation
• Ensure adequate systems are in place so all counselling records are maintained according to legislative requirements.
• Monitor compliance with legislative requirements and risk management strategies within area of responsibility, and report breaches of incidents to appropriate leaders and regulatory bodies as required
• Maintain up to date progress notes, case files and data entry across the team and all records to be stored safely.
• Manage and respond to any counselling based feedback or complaints
• Support Nurse Unit Managers in managing complaints as required and appropriate
• Provide non-judgmental pregnancy options counselling
• Establish best practice case management
• Hold yourself and others accountable to achieving the Marie Stopes mission and values
• Utilise and interact in a positive manner with all internal and external stakeholders

What we need:

• Minimum 5 years social work experience and relevant Social Worker qualification
• Membership with AASW
• Eligibility for Medicare Provider Number
• Fiercely Pro-choice and champion of women and pregnant people’s rights
• Passionate about de-stigmatising abortion, sexual and reproductive health
• Excellent time management skills
• Clear, professional and articulate communication
• Empathetic and supportive approach
• Non-judgemental attitude
• Minimum 3 years management experience
• Demonstrated change management skills.
• Experience in developing and implementing case management services
• Understanding of Digital Mental Health Standards
• Extensive Counselling experience
• Strategic and forward-thinking
• Excellent problem-solving skills

What we're offering:

• Generous salary packaging (considerably reducing your tax)
• Opportunity to work with an incredibly passionate and skilled team
• Make a positive difference while being a part of an organisation with a global footprint
• Competitive salary

Who you're joining:

At MSA we believe in children by choice, not chance.

Person and community centred healthcare involves cultural safety, a diverse workforce and multidisciplinary skills. We welcome applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people of migrant and refugee backgrounds, people with disability and LGBTIQ+ people.

To be eligible for this position you must have an appropriate Australian work visa. Marie Stopes Australia does not provide work visa sponsorships.

Integrity | Agency | Safety | Quality | Courage