Telephone Counsellors
Job No:
20164
Location:
Footscray, Melbourne
About the Organisation
Crisis Support Services Inc (CSS) provides telephone counselling to people in personal crisis. CSS is Australia's leading telephone counselling service providing confidential counselling, support, information and referral services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week operating with a team of professionally qualified psychologists and counsellors. CSS is a not-for-profit, non-government with no religious affiliations counselling services.
CSS main services include SuicideLine (VIC), Suicide Call Back Service, MensLine Australia, MensLine Australia Call Back Service, and specialist lines for the beyondblue InfoLine and Veterans Line.
About the Opportunity
CSS has several exciting opportunities for dedicated Telephone Counsellors to work across our services, in particular the beyondblue InfoLine and the new beyondblue Virtual Men’s Shed (VMS) Online Forum. The following positions are currently available:
- Temporary - 12 shifts per month during October and November (with possibility of moving to casual or permanent part-time work);
- Permanent Part Time - minimum 3 shifts per week (approx. 18 hrs p/week) and max of 5 shifts per week (approx. 30 hrs p/week).
The main aim of the role is to provide a national information and referral telephone service for people affected by depression, anxiety and related disorders and to provide callers with access to information and referral around these issues.
Some of your specific responsibilities will include:
- Assessing the callers needs and working with them regarding mental health issues;
- Knowing the options for ongoing support and further information and referring callers to relevant information, service and supports and motivating them to use them and facilitate direct links where appropriate;
- Identifying and assessing callers who may be at risk of harm to self or others and respond within crisis intervention and emergency guidelines of CSS;
- Consulting and working with the Counselling Manager on duty to assess and manage at risk or repeat callers as required by operational procedures;
- Reviewing difficult calls with Counselling Managers and attend debriefing sessions as appropriate;
- Accurately entering statistical data about calls during or after calls on the statistical data base as provided;
- Responding to emails in accordance with standard procedures;
- Ensuring data base requirements are entered for each call in line with guidelines, and when requested assist with clerical and statistical information; and
- Working with designated Counselling Managers and Program Leaders to identify own learning objectives, training and professional development needs.
Due to the contractual obligations of CSS, it is essential that you have either:
- Honors or postgraduate degree in psychology;
- Eligibility for membership with one of the following:
- Australian Association of Social Workers; or
- Occupational Therapy Australia; or
- Mental Health nurse.
AND
- Knowledge of depression, anxiety and associated issues, particularly primary care pathways. This entails either having completed a mental health/abnormal psychology unit/subject as part of university course work, having relevant field experience in mental health or telephone experience in a related field.
CSS will also consider applicants with degrees in psychology, social work or counselling as well as extensive counselling experience for employment with MensLine Australia and SuicideLine (VIC).
A knowledge around depression, anxiety and associated issues is essential as is a knowledge of mental health services, support services and primary care pathways. You will have experience in telephone counselling particularly demonstrating ability to work within a strengths-based or a solution-focused framework.
The successful candidate will require experience in suicide first aid, assessment, intervention in addition to suicide bereavement counselling, linkage and liaison with other services. Experience with the provision of information to assist the target groups of callers for the service is also required.
Although not essential, an awareness and sensitivity to men's issues and ability to employ counselling approaches relevant to these needs would be highly regarded.
About the Benefits
The successful candidate will be rewarded with an attractive remuneration, as well as salary packaging available up to $16K tax free to significantly increase your take-home pay!
In these roles, applicants will enjoy working regular days and hours, over 24/7, while training will be provided to enable you to work as an integral part of the counselling team, with penalty rates for all evening overnight and weekend shifts.
CSS offers a range of great benefits to all staff including five weeks annual leave and continuing professional development in a supportive team environment.
Working in a convenient location close to all public transport and amenities you will not only be able to benefit from a great work/life balance but progress your career with ongoing training and support and opportunities for career development!
CCS provides you with a supportive environment which includes a staff relaxation room - containing massage chair, exercise bike, and vending machine. You'll also benefit from this social group who organise Christmas parties, movie nights, employee of the month and many other regular events!
This is a wonderful opportunity to further your career in counselling - Apply Now!
Note: To be considered for this role, please ensure you answer the following criteria to the best of your ability before attaching your resume.