Addictions Worker

Information

This post is part of a rota and some evening and weekend work is required, as are sleepovers.

Main Function

To organise and deliver a specialist Individual Therapy provision for clients attending on both a Residential and Day Care basis under the supervision of the Managing Co-ordinator and Service Leader.

Main Duties

1. To liaise closely with the client and their Specialist Addiction Worker to identify those for whom individual therapy is a key requirement.
2. Meet with new clients prior to their first therapy session to brief them fully on purpose, practice and personal objectives and to allay tensions and fears.
3. Develop your work with the client within the principles of the REBT programme and general Cognitive Behavioural Therapy.
4. Ensure all therapy sessions are managed in a non-threatening and supportive atmosphere in which the client may grow in confidence.
5. Provide the Specialist Addiction Worker and other appropriate Therapists with accurate feedback on issues arising in the session which they may address.
6. Clients will be monitored closely to ensure therapy sessions are meeting the agreed objectives.

 

Professional Responsibilities

1. Be fully conversant with the principles of REBT and their application in practice.
2. Ensure that your professional knowledge in general and your practice in particular meet the highest standard.
3. Ensure you keep abreast of current research and practice development in your area, bringing relevant issues to the attention of your supervisor.
4. Understand fully the requirement for confidentiality in all areas of your work.
5. Ensure that the requirements of your professional registration bodies are met and your registration is current.
6. Maintain accurate contemporaneous records of your work.
7. Contribute to case conferences, assessments, reviews and other meetings relevant to your clients.
8. Support the Service Leader by the provision of information, reports and other data relevant to the client and their families needs.
9. Given the internal requirement for flexibility, undertake skill development in other compatible areas of work within the service when required.

 

Quality Assurance

1. Regularly review the quality of your service to clients and their families ensuring that the key principles of the REBT programme are applied.
2. Be conversant with the Boards standards document “Towards Quality” and ensure its principles are applied, in particular:

• The value of integrity and impartiality in discharging your responsibilities to your clients and their families
• The worth, rights and responsibilities of the individual
• The promotion of independent choice and normal living
• The protection of those who cannot protect themselves
• The promotion of equality of opportunity
• Ensure that the interests of the client and their family are at the forefront of all your activities

 

General Responsibilities

1. As a member of the staff team undertake all duties assigned by the Managing Co-ordinator and Service Leader.
2. Participate actively in staff communication meetings where appropriate.
3. Be prepared to brief new and other staff members on the central elements of your work when required.
4. Actively participate in training and educational activities as directed by the Managing Co-ordinator and Service Leader.
5. Ensure that information or allegations implying unacceptable behaviour towards clients or their families is reported promptly to the Managing Co-ordinator and Service Leader.
6. Be familiar with CrossReach’s general policies and procedures on all aspects of the Unit’s work and ensure they are applied effectively.
7. Act positively to ensure that the work of CrossReach is seen positively by all with whom you have professional contact.
8. Have respect for all aspects of Christian worship.
9. Facilitate service users to attend Christian worship (or worship of choice).

Qualifications

Desirable:

Ideally you will possess at least one of the following:

• An SVQ level 3 in Health & Social Care
• A certificate in Addictions/Counselling
• A COSCA certificate in Counselling skills combined with basic substance misuse training
• A post graduate certificate in Addictions
• A primary certificate in REBT
• Advanced training in motivational interviewing
• A Psychology qualification (Degree)

Personal

As we do our work in Christ’s name you must be respectful of our Christian Ethos and be able to work within it.

This post requires you to be a member of the Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Scheme and undertake the necessary vetting checks.

This post requires you to be registered with SSSC and it is your professional responsibility to ensure that you meet the standards & criteria for registration.

Skills and Abilities

The postholder must possess basic computer literacy skills including use of Microsoft Office and the internet for completing mandatory e-learning courses.