Address Due to a growth in our program, we are looking for experienced Counsellors to provide empathic, person-centred telephone counselling to meet the needs of carers who are experiencing stress, anxiety, depression and low mood.
About the Role
CatholicCare Sydney has been contracted to deliver the National Carer Gateway Counselling Service, a component of the integrated support service, the Carer Gateway. The overarching purpose of the Carer Gateway is to support carers earlier in a proactive way, and to build their capacity to sustain their caring role. The Carer Gateway Counselling Service provides a crucial platform for carers across Australia to engage with professional, experienced counsellors and to obtain genuine outcomes to reduce stress and to improve their wellbeing. Carers are unique and valuable members of our community with varying circumstances and needs. The joys and negative impacts of their caring experiences are often very complex and difficult and are often felt very differently and these unique experiences need to be understood and supported.
The counsellor will provide empathic, person-centred counselling over the phone to flexibly meet the needs of carers who are experiencing stress, anxiety, depression and low mood. The successful applicant will perform assessment and person-centred brief therapy services, in addition to occasional intake.
We have full-time and part-time (minimum of 3 days/week and must be available on Thursdays) opportunities available. Permanent shifts are undertaken between 8.00 am and 8.00 pm, Monday to Friday (non- daylight savings) and between 8.00 am and 9.00 pm, Monday to Friday during daylight savings. All staff are expected to undertake at least one evening shift per week.
This is an ideal opportunity to work within a friendly and highly professional team of experienced counsellors and utilise your valuable skills and experience to support carers nationwide.
Key Criteria:
Critical to this role will be your demonstrated clinical practice and counselling experience using a person-centred approach, Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy together with other evidence-based therapeutic modalities. You will also require knowledge of current Child Protection and Domestic Violence best practice as well as Suicide Protocol and other risk identification tools and skills.
You will be an excellent communicator and team player and be able and willing to work flexibly and adapt to a changing environment. While experience working with individuals caring for people with a disability, dementia and/or mental health concerns is not essential, it will be highly regarded.
Additionally, you will be required to:
Demonstrate skills in providing counselling and crisis support to clients, including carers
Deliver evidence-based telephone clinical and support services using primarily person centred and Third wave Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Solution Focussed Therapy, Complex Grief and Loss Counselling and other therapeutic approaches
Demonstrate authentic, compassionate and empathic responses in front line service delivery/Counselling role
Demonstrate capacity to conduct assessments and develop and deliver collaborative treatment and case plans and implement ongoing maintenance plans
Continue to maintain your accreditation and memberships
If you would like to find out more about the role, click apply to view the Position Description on our career website.
Requirements for Success:
Relevant work experience as a Qualified Counsellor with a minimum of 3 years counselling experience in Australia
Relevant tertiary qualifications in Counselling or Social Work. Membership(s) is required with one of the following associations: minimum level 2 membership with the Australian Counselling Association (ACA), Provisional membership of the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation (PACFA) or membership of the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW)
A willingness to learn and develop your skills
Must be able to work on Thursdays and a late shift once a week and be flexible supporting your team
Live in or near Sydney and able to attend our Lewisham office during business hours for in person training or other team activities as required and Professional Development, Team Meetings and Supervision (the requirement is a minimum of at least once per week)
Benefits of joining us
Rewarding work, every day you will know you have impacted someone’s life and you are making a difference
Access to salary packaging – this allows you to save on tax and increase your overall take home pay
Structured induction and training process and ongoing professional development opportunities
We support hybrid working arrangements for work-life balance
An innovative staff wellbeing program, as well as access to an Employee Assistance Program (free and confidential Counselling Service)
A strong framework of Clinical Supervision within the Service
Enhanced leave conditions including an additional weeks’ leave available after your first year, study leave and celebration leave
We are dedicated to the promotion of a productive workforce, while helping employees maintain a healthy balance in their personal and professional lives
How to Apply
Click Apply to view the Position Description and begin your online application!
To be considered for this role, you will need to attach your resume and a cover letter addressing how your skills, knowledge and experience meet the requirements of the role. Applications that do not address the selection criteria or provide a resume only will not be considered.
Applications for this position close on 14th January 2024. Please submit your application as soon as possible as shortlisting for this position will commence immediately. Unsuccessful applicants may be placed on an eligibility list for future employment.
For enquiry and additional information please contact Nathalie Brachet Talent Acquisition Lead at CatholicCare Sydney at nathalie.brachet@catholiccare.org.
The Organisation and Culture
CatholicCare Sydney is a leading non-for-profit agency supporting people from all walks of life. We are an organisation that promotes diversity and inclusion and commits to the growth and wellbeing of our staff, empowering them to make positive change and influence in the community. CatholicCare Sydney is the official social services agency of the Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney and a certified Family Friendly Organisation.
At CatholicCare, we believe vaccination to be the best way to keep our people and our communities safe from Covid-19. We require all employees, volunteers and students to be fully vaccinated against Covid-19 as a condition of engagement.
CatholicCare requires the preferred applicant to undertake a National Criminal History Record Check prior to employment and will also require a Working with Children Check.
CatholicCare is an Equal Opportunity Employer and Employer of Choice for Women. People of Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and other culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply; people living with a disability are encouraged to apply.
