Family Drug Support is seeking a project officer to work on an exciting new project.
Support services and programmes for families of drug dependents are recognised gaps in most drug treatment services. Since 1977, Family Drug Support has successfully provided programmes in this area. Recent Government grant provides funding to extend FDS’ support services into treatment services nationwide.
Your role is to create partnerships with drug treatment services to increase their capacity to work effectively with families. The primary aim is to improve the efficacy of drug treatment by involving and supporting families of the drug user. This is achieved by offering a range family therapy programmes aimed specifically to improve the psychosocial and emotional health of families and to assist in building the capacity and skills of drug treatment services to better engage with families and carers of those in treatment.
Location of position: This is a National position but preferably living in NSW
Key activities
– Create partnership with treatment services
– Liaise with drug treatment services and assist them to identify skills and capacities in working with families and carers of those in treatment that need enhancement.
– Establish family support groups
– Provide counselling for families
– Run group counselling for families
– Offer group counselling for families and their drug dependent
– Provide comprehensive training for workers in treatment services to provide the above servicesQualifications
– Tertiary qualifications in psychology, social work or other relevant social science.Desirable qualifications:
– Participation in relevant workforce development activities
– Membership in relevant professional associations (e.g. APS.AASW, APSAD).Essential skills
– Goals oriented and high level of organisation
– Ability to work independently and as part of a team
– Proven experience in working with people experiencing alcohol and other drug-related difficulties.
– Commitment to personal and professional growth and development
– Experience in working with families
– Extensive group counselling skills and experience
– Well versed in and accepting of harm minimisation/reduction philosophy and approach
– Ability to work with a range of drug treatment service providers
– Available for intra-and interstate travel.Training & Support
– FDS will provide full training and supportRemuneration
A generous salary package of $70K will be negotiated and will include motor vehicle, mobile telephone, laptop computer and printer.Contract
– A one year contract will be offered commencing as soon as possible but with the proviso that from July 1st 2011 is subject to funding extension.Send expression of interest and CV to:
Mr T Trimingham OAM
CEO
Family Drug Support
PO Box 7363
Leura NSW 2780
Author Archives: James
Jobs: Alcohol and Other Drugs Counsellor – Moreland Hall
Alcohol and Other Drugs Counsellor
· Port Phillip Prison
· Full Time 6 month Fixed Term maternity leave contract
· Generous salary packaging benefitsMoreland Hall is a leading alcohol and other drugs (AOD) agency with 40 years experience in the not for profit sector in Victoria.
We currently have a six month maternity leave vacancy in the Port Phillip Prison team to deliver AOD counselling and education to prisoners.
As an AOD Counsellor you will ensure the delivery of the Moreland Hall program within the prison environment. You will be responsible for providing counselling, psycho-educational group programs, and will work closely with prison officers.
To be successful in the role you will have relevant tertiary qualifications in Social Work, Psychology, Nursing, or Allied Health Sciences, have 4 key competencies in AOD, qualifications in dual diagnosis or willingness to undertake, a current Victorian drivers license, and experience working in the AOD sector.
Applications should include a CV, cover letter and statement addressing the key selection criteria as outlined in the position description and forwarded to creid@morelandhall.org by 4pm Wednesday 6 April 2011.
A copy of the position description can be downloaded via http://www.morelandhall.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=263:alcohol-and-other-drugs-counsellor&catid=50:current-employment-opportunities&Itemid=68
For further information please contact Rob Testro on 9217 7222.
Jobs: Program Manager Network of Alcohol and Drug Agencies (NADA)
From NADA:
Program Manager
Network of Alcohol and Drug Agencies (NADA)Redfern, NSW
Full time to June 2012 (possibility of 12 months extension)
Commencement salary $70,000 – $78,000 p/a + superannuation contribution + salary packagingThe Network of Alcohol and other Drug Agencies (NADA), as the peak organisation for the non government drug and alcohol sector in NSW, provides leadership and services to its members. We focus on areas of sector development, service development and information technology, with the aim of having the non government drug and alcohol sector recognised as integral to a strong and progressive system of alcohol and drug service delivery.
NADA is seeking a Program Manager to lead and implement projects and activities to support NADA in meeting its strategic goals and key focus areas, and in line with funding body requirements. This position provides opportunity to expand your project management skills, develop relationships with government and non government bodies and service providers, and provide input into NADA’s policy and advocacy activities.
The primary project aligned to this Program Manager position is the NGO Drug and Alcohol and Mental Health Information Management Project which aims to improve client outcome measurement in the non government drug and alcohol sector. Further project information is available from the NADA website or from the Project Summary.
The Position Description and Guide to Applying provide further detail on the role and application process.
Contact Tanya Merinda tanya@nada.org.au or ph. (02) 8113 1312 for more information.
Closing date for applications is COB Thursday 28 April 2011.
Churchill Fellow Chat – 22nd March
CHAT WITH CLANCY WRIGHT, CHURCHILL FELLOW 22 MARCH 2011, 11AM – 12 NOON
“Australia has an intolerable level of alcohol related harm and death, resulting from the high levels of alcohol consumption. Australia requires a cultural change around alcohol, a reduction in harms and national legislation to support it. To achieve this, a revitalised approach led by the Australian alcohol and other drug sector is required.
A cultural change around alcohol can be realised. Harms can be reduced. Australia can restore the balance. But a new approach is required.”
Join Clancy Wright, 2010 Churchill Fellow, in a discussion around methods for initiating a cultural change around alcohol.
Bucket Head of the Year Awards 2010
Terry Wright has put in some very hard yards and has published an extensive list of stupid / mis-informed and potentially damaging statements on substance use by a bunch of people who should know better.
Jobs: Nurse Unit Manager, Eastern Health Melbourne
Via ADCA Update:
Looking for a lifestyle change?
Have experience working within AOD?
A Registered Nurse looking for the next step in your career?
Interested in management?Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes you say? Well Eastern Health Alcohol and Drug Services are currently recruiting to the Nurse Unit Manager position at the 12 bed residential drug withdrawal unit at Eastern Health, Melbourne. The withdrawal unit (Wellington House) is located in Box Hill, which is approximately 20 kms east of Melbourne CBD. Wellington House has been established for 12 years and has a compliment of experienced multi-disciplinary staff.
Wellington House is not only supported by a comprehensive suite of outpatient programs but since August 2009 Eastern Health Alcohol and Drug Services amalgamated with Turning Point alcohol and drug services. This affiliation with Turning Point has created exciting opportunities not just within clinical services but also with the research and training departments at Turning Point. This is a full-time position, for a Registered Nurse (Div 1 and/or 3) who is experienced in the AOD sector.
If you are interested and would like to read more in the position description, please log onto www.easternhealth.org.au/careers and click on the search vacancies link. Alternatively, you can phone the Manager of Clinical Services – Anna McKenry on: 0447 514 984.
All applications are to be made online at:
www.easternhealth.org.au/careers
Ref: 88570Applications close at 5pm Friday 4th March 2011.
The link between cannabis and psychosis
No real surprises in the meta-analysis described below but it certainly puts another line in the sand on the link between cannabis and mental health. The question remains on whether governments and NGOs can wait for a definitive link before making large policy changes.
Cannabis Use and Earlier Onset of Psychosis: A Systematic Meta-analysis
Matthew Large [et al.] Archives of General Psychiatry, 7th February 2011Abstract:
Context A number of studies have found that the use of cannabis and other psychoactive substances is associated with an earlier onset of psychotic illness.Objective To establish the extent to which use of cannabis, alcohol, and other psychoactive substances affects the age at onset of psychosis by meta-analysis.
Data Sources Peer-reviewed publications in English reporting age at onset of psychotic illness in substance-using and non–substance-using groups were located using searches of CINAHL, EMBASE, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, and ISI Web of Science.
Study Selection Studies in English comparing the age at onset of psychosis in cohorts of patients who use substances with age at onset of psychosis in non–substance-using patients. The searches yielded 443 articles, from which 83 studies met the inclusion criteria.
Data Extraction Information on study design, study population, and effect size were extracted independently by 2 of us.
Data Synthesis Meta-analysis found that the age at onset of psychosis for cannabis users was 2.70 years younger (standardized mean difference = –0.414) than for nonusers; for those with broadly defined substance use, the age at onset of psychosis was 2.00 years younger (standardized mean difference = –0.315) than for nonusers. Alcohol use was not associated with a significantly earlier age at onset of psychosis. Differences in the proportion of cannabis users in the substance-using group made a significant contribution to the heterogeneity in the effect sizes between studies, confirming an association between cannabis use and earlier mean age at onset of psychotic illness.
Conclusions The results of meta-analysis provide evidence for a relationship between cannabis use and earlier onset of psychotic illness, and they support the hypothesis that cannabis use plays a causal role in the development of psychosis in some patients. The results suggest the need for renewed warnings about the potentially harmful effects of cannabis.
Full text available here – http://archpsyc.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/full/archgenpsychiatry.2011.5
Jobs: Manager Therapeutic Services
Manager Therapeutic Services
· Leading Alcohol and Other Drugs agency
· Fantastic Leadership Opportunity
· Generous salary packaging benefitsMoreland Hall is a leading alcohol and other drugs (AOD) agency with 40 years experience in the not for profit sector in Victoria.
We currently have a unique and exciting opportunity for someone to join our management team and provide leadership in the provision of Alcohol and other drug treatment.
As the manager of Therapeutic Services you will initiate, develop and deliver high quality clinical services which contribute to the prevention and reduction of alcohol and other drug, and mental health related harms.
Reporting to the Director of Clinical Services you will manage our counselling and support, and assessment and intake teams ensuring high quality, evidence based treatment services are developed, promoted, delivered and reviewed in a timely and cost effective manner.
We are looking for candidates with degree qualifications in a health and/or welfare related discipline, qualifications, training or experience in management, AOD core competencies, competencies in Mental health /dual diagnosis (or willingness to complete within the first 12 months of employment), and demonstrated experience in a management or leadership position in a heath service setting, preferably in the AOD or Mental Health Sector.
Applications should include a CV, cover letter and statement addressing the key selection criteria as outlined in the position description and forwarded to Carla Reid creid@morelandhall.org To download the position description please click on the following link.
For further information please contact Donna Ribton-Turner on 9384 8830.
Applications close 4pm 18 February 2011.
NSW only: Drug & Alcohol Library service
For those of you who work in the drug and alcohol field in NSW, this is a reminder that you can access and utilise the NSW Health Drug & Alcohol Health Services Library.
We are a state-wide service offering assistance with a range of drug and alcohol related information needs to NSW drug health professionals.
We can assist you with any work-related research you may require; access to a variety of drug and alcohol journals, books/reports and videos/DVDs.
We can remotely service clients anywhere in NSW – either via email delivery of documents, or posting those physical materials that cannot be delivered electronically.
If you would like further information please contact me directly, or go to our website www.dahsl.org.au for further details.
The Inaugural Medicine in Addiction Conference
Great to see the College of GPs jumping boots and all into the area:
The Inaugural Medicine in Addiction Conference
March 18-20 2011
Citiclub Hotel
113 Queen St, MelbourneThe Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP) Section of Addiction Psychiatry and the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) are delighted to present this first time event taking place in the sophisticated urban setting of the city of Melbourne.
An exciting and diverse scientific program will offer those in attendance an insight into the problem of addiction and dependency in a range of clinical settings, and will include keynote presentations from Prof Paul Haber, Prof Dan Lubman, A/Prof Nick Lintzeris, Prof Andrew Lawrence, Prof Jason White and A/ Prof Kate Conigrave to name but a few. A thought provoking and lively debate will also feature.
The registration form can be downloaded here or visit the conference website for more details including program updates.