AOD Clinician - Lower Plenty

Honesty     Trust      Respect     Concern      Love   

• Full-Time, 11-month contract 
• Based in Lower Plenty, Therapeutic Community 
• $94,419.72 per annum plus super.     
• 17.5% annual leave loading and generous salary packaging options    
• Progressive Workplace Flexibility options that enable genuine work life balance   

About Odyssey Victoria:   

Odyssey Victoria (OV) is a place of hope and positive change for individuals working towards breaking their pattern of addiction. At Odyssey Victoria we believe that every person should have the opportunity to change and grow. Our diverse teams work with individuals, families, and communities to reduce alcohol and other drug (AOD) use, improve mental health, and reconnect people to their family and the community. OV is a dynamic and fast-growing organisation committed to excellence in service provision and innovation in responding to alcohol and other drugs use problems.   

Role Purpose: 

The key purpose of the position is to support clients in residential treatment in establishing healthier lifestyles free of problematic alcohol and drug use, fostering the process of mutual self-help recovery.  

The AOD Clinician engages in the combined functions and activities of the Facilitator; to guide the individual through a process of self-discovery and change the Counsellor to ensure that every resident in the community obtains relevant individual and group counselling whilst enhancing and promoting self-help as a concept and activity, and the Role Model, using the social environment to maximise peer influences by encouraging transmission of residential community teachings rather than directly instructing, and delivering such communications in the manner or style that reflects the rational purpose of helping. The AOD Clinician contributes to the life of the TC by assisting in the admissions process, and providing individual and group therapy, and case management to clients for the duration of their journey at the TC.  

This position will be required to rotate to our Admissions Team for up to 6-months for the purpose of multi-skilling and developing a comprehensive understanding of our Residential Services program as Therapeutic Community. 

Key areas of focus:    

Case Management  

• Conduct client planning groups to develop individual recovery plans (IRPs)  
• Ensure high quality case management and timely record keeping.  
• Contribute to therapy team reviews, case reviews and other staff meetings.  
• Facilitate client admissions through:  
• Assessing client suitability  
• Participating in preparation and support groups  
• Consulting with other services  
• Supporting senior residents during the admission process  

Program Development and Treatment Activities  

• Contribute to the development and implementation of program modules.  
• Plan, implement and/or facilitate other treatment activities such as communiqués, action meetings and special activities.  
• Contribute to the TC by participating in/supervising selected social/recreational activities and modelling appropriate behaviour.  
• Participate effectively in clinical supervision.  

Networking  

• Assist in the appropriate referral and conjoint treatment of clients with specific or specialist needs and in the development of appropriate inter-agency protocols.  
• Represent the organisation and its clients as required including program liaison, network meetings and court advocacy. 

General  

• Actively promote and adhere to the OV Child Safety policy and procedures to assist OV to maintain a Child Safe Organisation and support colleagues to engage in child safe practices.  
• Demonstrate ability to understand and apply inclusive practice when working with people from diverse communities, such as cultures, genders, sexualities, bodies, abilities, spiritualities, ages and backgrounds.  
• Demonstrate understanding of the importance and application of intersectionality when working with people from all cultures, genders, sexualities, bodies, abilities, spiritualities, ages and backgrounds. 

To be successful in this role, you must…    

1. Relevant Health, Social or Welfare related degree/tertiary qualification with one-years’ experience and/or substantial experience or an Associate Diploma with relevant experience.  
2. Cert IV in Alcohol or Other Drugs and/or a degree in Health, Mental Health, or Allied Health with a minimum of the AOD Skill Set for Health Professionals (or commitment to obtain one of these within 12 months of employment).*  
3. Demonstrated ability to engage clients in dialogue and develop a therapeutic relationship. 
4. The ability to work with difficult and demanding clients.  
5. Demonstrated ability to work as part of a multi-disciplinary team, be open to giving and receiving feedback, and recognise and resolve interpersonal conflict.  
6. Ability to take initiative and capacity to work independently, adapting to changing organisational needs.  
7. A comprehensive understanding of alcohol and drug substance abuse and an understanding of residential rehabilitation services.  
8. Strong organisational and highly developed interpersonal and communication skills (both verbal and written) with a consultative approach to addressing issues.  
9. Ability to effectively liaise and communicate with a wide variety of agencies and individuals at various levels. 

*Note: refer to Appendix A for details on competencies 

For a copy of the position description which outlines the full list of responsibilities and key selection criteria, please click HERE (http://odyssey.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/POSTC4056-AOD-Clinician-LP.pdf) - or see attached below.

*Appendix A (AOD Competencies)    

OV requires people in clinical positions to have the following competencies (or their equivalent). Where people do not already have these competencies, OV will invest in the person’s professional development by providing them through its RTO.    

The competencies required in the first 12 months of employment are:    

• CHCAOD001 - Work in an alcohol and other drugs context    
• CHCAOD004 - Assess needs of clients with alcohol and other drugs issues.    
• CHCAOD006 - Provide interventions for people with alcohol and other drugs issues.    
• CHCAOD009 - Develop and review individual alcohol and other drugs treatment plans   

What we can give YOU!   

In return we are committed to offering you an inclusive and transparent workplace culture where our people can develop to be their very best by:     

• Ongoing learning and development opportunities   
• Providing work that is meaningful and challenging  
• Providing career pathways across diverse OV programs.   
• Access to 24/7 counselling through our Employee Assistance Provider (EAP)   
• Generous leave options such as 48/52 Purchase Leave and Study Leave   
• Flexible working arrangements such as monthly RDO’s for full-timers (arrangements will vary based on role requirements).   

In addition to the above, staff will also be provided monthly Clinical Supervision sessions for professional development and personal wellbeing.   

Application information   

Please click the 'Apply now' button below to apply directly via our careers website (applications via external recruitment websites or via email will not be considered)   

Applications should be addressed to Freya Carson and include your CV and a cover letter addressing the key selection criteria.    

If you have any questions relating to the position, please contact Freya Carson Team Leader – Clinical – Lower Plenty on, fcarson@odyssey.org.au using the subject line: AOD Clinician - Lower Plenty enquiry via EthicalJobs.

We will be assessing applications on a rolling basis, and suitable candidates will be shortlisted immediately. This role will be open for one week and close once a suitable candidate has been selected, which may be prior to the application deadline, so please don’t wait to apply! 

Our commitment to diversity   

At OV we value diversity and believe that a range of backgrounds brings a variety of ideas, perspectives and experiences that will enhance our effectiveness. We promote a workplace that actively seeks to include, welcome and value unique contributions by encouraging people with disability, Aboriginal Australians, LGBTQIA, young people and people from culturally diverse backgrounds to apply for this position.   

Safety screening   

OV is committed to child safety and is a child safe organisation. All OV employees must undergo Police Records and Working with Children Checks. Any person issued with a negative notice on their Working with Children Check will not be eligible for employment with us.   

All Odyssey Victoria sites are smoke free for all employees