Drug and Alcohol Counsellor NENW

Looking for a way to make a real impact on our community? Be at the forefront of a dynamic workforce utilising innovative, evidence-based skills and interventions to professionally support people requesting assistance with alcohol and drug use. 

With a rewarding career in alcohol and other drugs, you can be part of the vibrant and professional team enriching health in millions of ways every day.

Our benefits: 

• A collaborative, teams-based multi-disciplinary approach to patient care 
• Engaging and intellectually stimulating work 
• A team that is inclusive, respectful, and values the diverse communities it serves 
• A position dedicated to empowering others to achieve their goals 
• ADO's each month (for full time employees) 
• Salary packaging options 
• Fitness Passport 
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for staff and family members

Employment type: Permanent Full Time (Part Time will also be considered)
Position classification: Counsellor Level 3, Occupational Therapist Level 3, Psychologist, Registered Nurse, Social Worker Level 3  
Remuneration: $74,317 – $116,038 per annum (dependent on qualifications) + superannuation + salary packaging 
Hours per week: 38
Requisition ID: REQ602633 

Who we are: 

The successful applicant will be located in Armidale as a member of the multidisciplinary Drug and Alcohol Clinical Services (DACS) team. When you are not admiring the heritage architecture throughout the town or sightseeing through the surrounding national parks, you will be working alongside other DACS clinicians to improve health outcomes of clients. Combined with fellow colleagues, consisting of Nurses, Psychologists, Counsellors, Social Workers & Medical Officers, you will be required to conduct assessments and provide counselling to clients engage with our services.

The alcohol and other drugs team work for the greater good through an open, flexible and dynamic, strengths-based approach. We listen to understand, not label. 
We are an inclusive and committed team where staff are encouraged to bring their whole self to work, and are proud that our team is as diverse as the vibrant communities we support. 

What you’ll be doing: 

Using innovative, evidence-based skills and interventions, you will professionally support individuals seeking assistance with alcohol and drug use. You will take a trauma-informed approach and provide respectful, person-centred care, tailored to individual’s needs. Central to your role will be employing an individualised, holistic approach to care, incorporating comprehensive care planning to address the diverse physical, emotional, and social aspects of each person’s journey. 

As the DACS Level 3 Counsellor for this service, you will provide specialised counselling services to clients experiencing challenges with substances. This may include, but is not limited to, assessing risk factors, providing interventions that are individualised to their needs, and completing evaluations and reports on the service itself to ensure we are delivering an effective and efficient facility.

This position offers a challenging and rewarding specialisation. It provides the opportunity to take pride in the field, with a strong focus on human rights and intellectually stimulating work.  

Your contribution as a healthcare professional will have a meaningful and positive impact, which is felt at a community level. 

Criteria: 

Candidates will need to meet the following criteria: 
 

• Must hold a degree in Psychology, Social Work, Occupational Therapy, Counselling or Nursing or other qualification deemed equivalent by the employer, which provides eligibility or membership of the relevant professional association and full registration through the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA), where applicable.
• Eligible to drive in NSW and the ability and willingness to travel for work purposes which may involve driving long distances.
• Demonstrated advanced skills in drug and alcohol counselling including comprehensive assessment, care planning, therapeutic intervention, evidence-based counselling models of care and ability to provide case management principles.
• Demonstrated ability to independently problem-solve and apply professional and ethical boundaries when working with complex situations as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Awareness of cultural issues and an ability to interact with people from a diverse range of backgrounds, providing a non-judgemental and empathetic approaches to Drug and Alcohol clients.

People of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander background are encouraged to apply. 

More information:

  1) Click here for the Position Description 
  2) Find out more about applying for this position

For role related queries or questions contact Patricia Skelton on Patricia.Skelton@health.nsw.gov.au

This is a NSW Health Category A position which requires immunisation and screening for certain diseases. The full list of requirements are outlined in the NSW Health OASV Policy (Page 11). You will be required to complete the OASV Undertaking/ Declaration Form and TB Assessment Tool during the recruitment process. Please upload this with your application along with any other vaccination evidence that you may have.  

NSW Health is committed to implementing the Child Safe Standards. 

Applications close: Sunday 9th November 2025