i. Psychologist

Full-Time position for a Psychologist to work within a residential Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation Unit at our Ingleburn/Minto Facility.

 Essential:  

·        Previous background working in both the Mental Health and D&A fields.

·        Ability to assess client’s readiness to enter treatment.

·        Ability to assess clients for crisis intervention.

·        Be able to facilitate groups and present educational packages to our client base.

·        Possess a belief in the therapeutic Community and abstinence based model as a means of treatment.

·        Reliable work history.

 Pay rate as per Charitable Institutions (Paramedical Staff) State Award.

 For Job Descriptions and enquiries please call Stephanie Leau on (02) 9603-2157 or email  arc@odysseyhouse.com.au. 

Closing date 23^rd February 2007.  Child Protection Legislation requires that preferred applicants be subject to employment screening.

ii. Psychiatrist: Part Time (1 day per fortnight) 

Odyssey House McGrath Foundation is a non-government operation set up for the treatment of young men, women, and their dependent children whose lives have been adversely affected by their alcohol and other drug use. 

One of the features of the program, since it was founded by a psychiatrist, has been the ongoing psychiatric overview for residents participating in the residential program.  Recently, the ability to provide these services has become more and more difficult due to changes in government regulations regarding psychiatric practitioners.

We are greatly in need of assistance for a psychiatric consultant to conduct interviews, and mental status examinations of the residents who participate in our residential program.  The environment at Odyssey House is one that needs to be safe for all residents to participate in.  Psychiatric overview provides us with a safety net to determine the mental health issues which need to be addressed while residents are in treatment.  These could be the need for psychotropic medication, specific interventions to deal with anxiety and/or mood disorders, as well as ongoing follow-up and crisis intervention. The National Mental Health Strategy indicates the need for psychiatric services to be made readily available.  This is in light of the increasing number of Australians who have mental health disorders. 

Odyssey House’s residential facilities are located in the Macarthur area.  Due to the distance from the Sydney CBD it has been historically difficult to attract specialist consultants to this area.  This situation has not improved even though the population of the Macarthur region continues to increase.  As a result, our need for a psychiatric consultant is even greater.

For further information please contact :  Sharon Mestern, Clinical Manager, Odyssey House McGrath Foundation, 02 9820 9999 or by email, sharonmestern@odysseyhouse.com.au.

iii. D & A Counselor 

A full time position exists in the D & A field for a qualified Counselor or currently enrolled student in same field. Successful applicant will be able to work in a multi disciplined environment, deliver education packages, facilitate groups and counsel clients.

 Expectations:

*  Be able to display an empathic attitude towards our clients and at the same time be able to demonstrate

   strong boundaries.

*  You will need to be working towards or achieved a minimum Certificate IV in Community Services (Alcohol &

   Other Drugs).  

* Be neat and tidy, good presentation and a willingness to undergo further training in areas seen as

  appropriate by the employer.

Essential Criteria:

*Working towards relevant tertiary qualification.

*Presentation skills and a good desire to learn about counseling modalities.

*Good administrative skills.

*Skills in education presentations and counseling.

*Knowledge of local and regional resources.

*Good written and communication skills.

*Ability to work with supervision.

*Good computer skills.

*Knowledge of Occupational Health & Safety Act.

Desirable Requirements:

*Drivers License.  

*Previous experience in working with clients from the Alcohol and other Drugs backgrounds.

The salaried position is in accordance with the SACS Award. Child Protection Legislation requires that preferred applicants be subject to employment screening.

All enquiries requests for job descriptions please contact Stephanie Leau on (02) 9603 2157 during business hours or email resume to arc@odysseyhouse.com.au.

Closing date: 23 February 2007

iv. Enrolled Nurse (x2) & Registered Nurse

Odyssey House Residential Programme and Detoxification Unit.

Positions are available for one Registered Nurse as well as two Enrolled Nurses (prefer Medication Administration, however not essential). 

You would require good people skills, have a positive attitude and be able to support and motivate people towards a positive lifestyle. 

You would need to be able to organise your work, and at times work in isolation. 

You would therefore need to demonstrate a past history of nursing professionalism and excellence. 

Applications close 12^th February 2007. 

Information and Job Descriptions can be gained by contacting Terry Hooker (02 9824 8943) . The successful applicant will be subject to a criminal record check.