Counsellor Advocate - Dandenong Area

Working in Healthcare has never been more important or meaningful.

Our Journey

The South Eastern Centre Against Sexual Assault and Family Violence (SECASA), is a program of Monash Health and has the responsibility in the Southern Region of the Department of Families Fairness and Housing to: 

• Develop and provide effective services to adult victim/survivors and associated people affected by sexual assault and family violence 
• Develop and provide effective services for adolescents exhibiting sexually harmful behaviours 
• Provide public education and professional training on sexual assault and anti-violence issues 
• Social planning and processes related to reducing societal violence 

This role is permanent full-time ongoing and working days are Monday to Friday, based at our Dandenong and Cranbourne Offices. 

A Day in the Life

As a Grade 2 Counsellor/Advocate you will provide high quality trauma focused counselling and therapeutic interventions, driven by frameworks of intersectionality, gender equality, anti-oppression, and a human rights-based approach. This position requires a truly collaborative approach, working with clients, their families and key agencies, within the scope of current legislation and professional guidelines. Key purpose of this role includes: 

• To provide counselling and therapeutic interventions to adults who have experienced sexual assault and/or family violence 
• To undertake evidence-based and trauma focused assessments, case formulation, goal setting, counselling, advocacy, group work and crisis response 
• To work collaboratively with the client and key agencies to advocate for, assess and respond to identified risk 
• To contribute to the After Hours rosters 
To see first-hand what our team of Social Workers think about working at Monash Health, please take a look at the following short video: https://monashhealth.org/careers/allied-health/social-work/ and please check out our You Tube link below.

What you bring:

• Demonstrated clinical experience working with and responding to complex trauma related to sexual assault and/or family violence 
• A willingness to receive evidence based training in modalities recommended for treating trauma and to apply professional development to you work with SECASA clients 
• Crisis intervention skills necessary for supporting people who have experienced sexual assault and/or family violence 
• Collaboratively work with other professionals and agencies to enhance wellbeing and safety for clients 

What you need:

Social Work

Formal qualification in Social Work and eligibility for AASW: 

• An Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) accredited bachelor’s degree or entry level master’s degree of Social Work that provides eligibility for membership of the AASW 
• Written evidence of eligibility of AASW membership for overseas qualifications 
• Minimum of two years’ experience as a qualified Social Worker 

In Return

SECASA has a strong emphasis on clinician well-being with flexible work hours, monthly ADO, 5 weeks annual leave per year. In addiction SECASA has a committed in-house wellbeing team with monthly social activities planned. As part of SECASA's commitment to you SECASA ensures all employed receive $500 and 5 days of Professional Development leave per year. In addition to this SECASA as the largest sexual assault service in Victoria also offers a comprehensive induction to the service, specific trauma focused training to ensure you feel equipped to complete the role, such training includes TF-CBT, CPT and EMDR. As the largest sexual assault service in Victoria SECASA is leading the way in providing evidenced based therapeutic treatment to victim/survivors of sexual assault and family violence and has a strong research portfolio ensuring we remain at the forefront of trauma treatment. In addition to this, you will also:

• Be part of a highly committed compassionate team 
• Be part of a service that values you and all you bring to the counsellor/advocate role. 
• Work in a team with a diverse range of experience for you to draw upon 
• Receive evidence based training providing you with the skills to be a competent counsellor in this specialist field 
• Be part of an expanding service with multiple projects focusing on improving service delivery and improving the client experience 
• Work with a team where social work values are evident in daily practice

For a confidential discussion and to explore the opportunity further, please call Amanda Fillingham Manager on 0407 325 ***

Monash Health is a great place to work 

Our employees enjoy a range of benefits including:

• salary packaging options that increase your take-home pay
• a comprehensive Health and Wellbeing program
• free vaccinations
• private health insurance at discounted rates
• health imaging services
• + more

Monash Health is Victoria’s largest public health service and proudly provides healthcare to one quarter of Melbourne’s population, across the entire lifespan from newborn and children, to adults, the elderly, their families and carers. More than 22,000 of us work at over 40 care locations across south-eastern Melbourne.

We recognise the value of equal employment opportunity and is committed to patient safety and promoting fairness, equity and diversity in the workplace. At Monash Health we are relentless in our pursuit of excellence and work to our six guiding principles and our five ICare values.

How to Apply 

Applications are only accepted that are submitted via the Monash Health online Mercury System (e-recruit). 

For information including how to apply and probity check requirements, please refer to attached ‘Application Guide’ located under Position Documents.

Please note, applications will be screened upon receipt and selection activity may commence prior to the closing date.

Job Category:
Victim support services Sexual assault services

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