Counsellor

Carers WA values its dedicated and skilled employees and aims to create a flexible, supportive and family and carer friendly workplace. Carers WA actively supports diversity and inclusion, and we encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people from culturally diverse backgrounds, LGBTIQA+ people, neurodiverse people, carers and people with disability to apply.

We want to provide a space for everyone to have the best experience through the recruitment process, please tell us how we can best support you.

Carers WA are recruiting for a Carer Support Counsellor. The role is a full-time 12 month maternity leave cover position.

About Carers WA:

Carers WA is the peak body representing the needs and interests of carers in Western Australia and is part of a national network of Carers Associations providing a range of support services, supporting Carers across Western Australia. Carers provide unpaid care and support to family members and friends who have disability, mental health challenges, a chronic condition, terminal illness, an alcohol or other drug issue or who are frail aged.

Carers WA will support and provide you with:

• In house monthly group and individual Clinical Supervision
• Training and development opportunities, pertinent to your role
• Work/life balance
• Career progression opportunities
• A competitive salary, including salary packaging and added leave (5 weeks annual leave and 2 wellness days p.a.)
• A friendly, supportive and collaborative workplace environment

Position Description:

The Carers WA team of accredited Carer Support Counsellors provide counselling services as part of Carer Gateway in line with the Carers Recognition Act 2010. Counselling is safe, collaborative, and confidential* aimed at promoting carer and family mental health and wellbeing, enhancing self-understanding, and resolving identified concerns. *Confidentiality is limited when there are risks to the safety of the carer and / or others.

Carers are active participants in the counselling process at every stage. Counselling is offered to carers through several mediums including telephone, zoom and face-to-face. The team also participate in supporting other Carers WA programs and services including community engagement to promote counselling services.

This role predominantly involves:

• Providing carer support counselling to carers aged 8 – 90yrs +.
• Proactive working relationships with the young carer team and other internal carer service teams as needed.
• Travel required between Carers WA HQ in Perth and other metro offices co-located in other services throughout Perth to provide carer counselling on a rostered basis.

Essential Selection Criteria:

1. Must have a minimum of 3 years counselling experience in Australia OR have 18 months Australian counselling experience PLUS have completed Mental Health First Aid or suicide prevention course and who have also received training in recognising and responding to child protection and domestic violence risks.
2. Must be eligible for accreditation with a relevant Australian professional (association including ACA, PCFA or AASW). Continuous accreditation is essential for the duration of employment and ongoing membership is at the cost of the applicant.
3. Work from a trauma informed practice model.
4. Experience in counselling clients expressing suicidal ideation with ability to formulate safe plans.
5. Confident and competent at providing therapeutic sessions via telephone, web (zoom) and face-to-face.
6. Effectively manage time, calendar and documentation to meet service delivery KPIs.
7. Intermediate level of computer competency in Microsoft Suite and database management.
8. Ability to travel within Perth Metro to pre-designated counselling rooms on a rostered basis, and occasionally regionally if required.
9. Adhere to the In-Person Counselling Guidelines and Counselling Framework.

Position description for this role is available upon request from **************@carerswa.asn.au.

Please note: Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted for an interview.

Applications close on Thursday, 7 March 2024. Carers WA reserve the right to begin the recruitment process and withdraw the position prior to the close date/time.

Applications must include a covering letter addressing the selection criteria, Curriculum Vitae and contact details of two professional referees. Applications can be submitted online via www.seek.com.au.

Carers WA supports a zero harm workplace culture to all internal and external stakeholders.

To learn more about working with Carers WA, we encourage you to visit our website.