Intake, Assessment & Counselling Clinician (Social Worker, Grade 3) - SECADA
Dandenong, VIC, AU, 3175
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Social Worker Grade 3 – Intake, Assessment and Counselling Clinician | SECADA
About the Role
We’re looking for experienced Grade 3 Social Workers to join SECADA (South Eastern Consortium of Alcohol and Drug Agencies), providing intake, assessment, counselling and treatment planning for people experiencing alcohol and other drug concerns.
Working with people from a diverse range of backgrounds and circumstances, you’ll take the time to understand the whole person – their substance use, physical and mental health, relationships, supports, risks and what they want to change. From there, you’ll work collaboratively with consumers to identify their treatment needs and connect them with the most appropriate pathway forward.
In this role, you will:
- Conduct comprehensive alcohol and other drug assessments, including risk assessment and screening
- Develop person-centred treatment and care plans
- Provide evidence-based counselling, brief interventions and therapeutic support
- Support people to reduce substance-related harm and strengthen their motivation and readiness for change
- Facilitate referrals and admissions to withdrawal, rehabilitation, counselling and other community-based services
- Support people experiencing co-occurring mental health, substance use and psychosocial concerns
- Work closely with families, carers, referrers and other services to support coordinated care
- Present assessments and contribute to multidisciplinary clinical reviews where required
- Provide bridging support and follow-up to help consumers successfully connect with treatment
- Contribute to quality improvement, service development and contemporary AOD practice
We have two positions available, which are fixed term opportunities until December 2027. These positions will operate Monday to Friday, 8.30am–5.00pm, with flexible start and finish times available.
About SECADA
SECADA is a single point of contact for a broad network of specialist alcohol and other drug services supporting young people and adults across Melbourne’s south-east. As part of Monash Health Drug & Alcohol Services, SECADA provides Intake and Assessment, Counselling, Care and Recovery Coordination and pathways into residential withdrawal and rehabilitation services.
Our clinicians receive referrals from across the community, including directly from consumers and their families, GPs, courts and forensic services, mental health services and other alcohol and drug providers. You’ll work within a multidisciplinary environment that brings together clinical expertise, strong community partnerships and a shared commitment to harm minimisation, recovery and person-centred care.
About You
You’re an experienced Social Worker who can balance strong clinical judgement with curiosity, empathy and a genuinely person-centred approach. You’re comfortable having complex conversations, assessing risk and working with people who may be uncertain or ambivalent about change. You understand that there isn’t one pathway to recovery and can work alongside consumers to identify realistic goals and the supports that are right for them.
You’ll bring:
- A minimum of two years’ post-qualifying clinical experience
- Experience within alcohol and other drug, mental health and/or a relevant area of clinical practice
- Strong assessment, clinical reasoning and treatment-planning skills
- Knowledge of harm minimisation and the contemporary AOD service system
- Experience delivering evidence-based therapeutic interventions
- An understanding of co-occurring mental health and substance use concerns
- The ability to work autonomously while remaining connected to a multidisciplinary team
- Strong communication skills and the ability to build effective relationships across health and community services
- A current Victorian Driver Licence
Experience providing Social Work assessment, intervention and case management within drug and alcohol services will be highly regarded.
Why Join Us?
This is an opportunity to work at a point in someone’s journey where the right conversation, assessment or connection to treatment can make a meaningful difference. At SECADA, you’ll:
- Work across both assessment and therapeutic intervention, giving you variety in your clinical practice
- Build specialist expertise in alcohol and other drug assessment, counselling and treatment planning
- Work alongside an experienced multidisciplinary Drug & Alcohol team
- Support consumers with diverse and often complex clinical and psychosocial needs
- Develop strong connections across AOD, mental health, health and community services
- Access professional supervision, learning and development opportunities
- Contribute to service improvement and the continued development of contemporary AOD care
- Enjoy Monday–Friday hours with flexibility around start and finish times
If you’re passionate about AOD practice and want a role where you can help people understand their options, identify what matters to them and take the next step towards change, we’d love to hear from you.
For a confidential discussion and to explore this opportunity further, please reach out to Julie Walters, Team Leader SECADA, YDAS & ADLOW, on 0405 180 412.
Supportive Documentation can be found here.
Our Culture and Values
At Monash Health, our people are at the heart of everything we do. Our culture is inclusive, supportive and future-focused, underpinned by clear values and a commitment to continuous improvement. Our teams play a critical role in bringing our new strategy to life, challenging traditional approaches, embracing innovation, and ensuring every appointment reflects our commitment to equity, transparency and excellence.
You’ll be encouraged to share ideas, contribute to improvement initiatives, and grow alongside experienced professionals who are passionate about what they do. We are Full Hearted, Open Minded and All In, enabling excellent service delivery and a positive candidate and employee experience every time.
We recognise the value of equal employment opportunity. We are committed to patient safety, promoting fairness, equity and diversity in the workplace and to Child Safe Standards.
How to Apply
Applications are accepted via the Monash Health online EHub system. For information including how to apply and probity check requirements, please click here for the ‘Application Guide’. Applications will be screened upon receipt and selection activity may commence prior to the closing date.
Applications close: 4 October 2026