Counsellor

Counsellor-Limerick based - Clarecare's Cocaine Harm Reduction Project

BUSHYPARK COCAINE INITIATIVE PROJECT – HARM REDUCTION – HEALTH LED PROJECT

Bushypark are delighted to announce that funding was secured from the HSE Social Inclusion Office through MWRDAF IN 2022 to support clients and family members impacted by cocaine use across the Mid-West CHO 3 area. This funding enables us to focus on ‘Reducing the Health-related Harms from Cocaine’ within our community- based programme

ROLE: 

The Counsellor will provide interventions and counselling to individuals and families impacted by cocaine use and other related issues

JOB RELATIONS: 

The Counsellor will work as part of the Cocaine Initiative Team and will report to the Service Manager or designate with support from the Senior Counsellor within the Cocaine TeamJOB

LOCATION:

Your normal place of work will be based in Limerick City but you may, if required, be assigned by your Line Manager/CEO or designate, to other Bushypark offices or places of business as your office base, as and when required. You will be given as much notice of any such change of place of work as is reasonably practicable. You will be required to travel for work purposes and any reasonable expenses incurred in travelling for work will be reimbursed on a receipted basis, by the Service. Flexibility regarding travel during work hours is required.

JOB DETAILS:

The successful candidate will work as part of the Cocaine Initiative Team in Bushypark and liaise regularly with the overall team in Bushypark. Flexibility and willingness to travel and work outside of normal hours is necessary. Training and supervision will be provided to the successful candidate.

CONTRACT TYPE: 

This is a full-time permanent contract of employment.

HOURS OF WORK: 

The working week is 37.5 hours per week which includes 30 mins daily lunch break. You will normally work on a Monday to Friday basis – 9.30 a.m. – 5pm daily. Some evening work and 1 Saturday morning (3.5 hours) every 4 weeks will be required. Your work days/hours are subject to change depending on project requirements and flexibility regarding work days/hours is required in this position.

Annual Leave: 26 days per annum per full leave year (Jan-Dec) excluding Public Holiday entitlement.

Salary: The gross salary per annum is €48,699.38 for full accredited Counsellors and €37,649.38 gross p.a. for part-accredited Counsellors, commensurate with relevant experience. In addition, pending funding, there will be a further 2% salary increase on 1st April 2026 with a further final 2% salary increase on 1st October 2026.

RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE POSITION:

General Responsibilities:

• To be accountable to the Bushypark Manager or designate.
• To adhere to both Clarecare and Bushypark policies and procedures in relation to your work.
• To maintain files in accordance with HRB and CHKS accreditation standards in order to ensure that good record keeping practices are in place.
• To fulfil the administrative responsibilities of the post.
• To complete statistics as required by the line manager/Senior counsellor.
• To maintain professional boundaries in all work with clients.
• To comply with the clinical standards of the service
• To support the work of staff, volunteers, students and others involved in Bushypark and Clarecare.
• To actively participate in regular external personal supervision as required by your accrediting body and provide receipt of attendance.
• To actively participate in meetings with your Line Manager/Senior Counsellor
• To engage in in-house and other relevant training and to keep up to date with new developments in addiction, counselling and psychotherapy.
• To perform such other duties appropriate to the position as may be assigned to you by the Manager or designate.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities:

Clinical Practice:

• One to one counselling interventions with clients with addiction issues and their concerned persons.·
• Developing individual strategies and care plans with service users.
• Developing care plans with clients and family members to reduce risk of relapse
• Actively promote positive health outcomes for clients through holistic needs assessments and planning
• Support clients/family members presenting with cocaine and associated related issues
• Facilitating group sessions and undertaking family conferences and interventions
• Carrying out clinical screening, comprehensive assessments with clients.
• Liaising with referral agencies and other relevant services in the region
• Preparation and delivery of psycho-education with groups and family groups.
• Case managing clients where necessary in line with NDRIC.
• Working as part of a multi-disciplinary team and on own initiative.
• Support clients and concerned persons pre and post treatment via phone / on-line platforms.
• Support the Bushypark Aftercare Programme and volunteers and facilitate aftercare groups within the cocaine programme where required
• Development of progression routes for clients including referrals to self-help groups, community initiatives and other specialised services
• Participate in Clinical Multi-disciplinary Team meetings and liaise with GP’s and/or other primary health care staff, Psychiatric Services, Statutory/Voluntary and other agencies as required.
• Observe professional ethical standards and behaviours as required by Bushypark/Clarecare policies and guidelines e.g. Children First, Safeguarding Vulnerable Persons at Risk of Abuse, Freedom of information Act, Data Protection Act, etc and requirements of relevant Professional Accrediting Bodies, ensuring confidentiality of records and security of same.
• Maintaining relevant records and files as required by Bushypark and Clarecare.
• Facilitate and participate in clinical audits and quality audit projects when required.

Essential Requirements:

• A professional qualification in Counselling or Psychotherapy to at least Level 7 on the Irish National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) - QQI

OR

• Have an equivalent qualification and full registration from another jurisdiction.

AND

• Be fully accredited or awaiting full accreditation as a Counsellor with Addiction Counsellors of Ireland (ACI) or as a Counsellor/Psychotherapist with the Irish Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists (IACP) or a relevant body within the Irish Council for Psychotherapy (ICP)

AND

• A minimum of 1 years post qualification paid employment working as a part/full accredited Counsellor, with individuals and/or groups where addiction issues are part of your work experience.

AND 

• An awareness of the possible causes and preferred treatment approaches is essential
• Candidates must possess the requisite knowledge and ability (including a high standard of suitability) to ensure the proper discharge of the responsibilities of this role.
• Experience of working with addiction, trauma, mental health and/or with vulnerable groups
• Understand the principles of harm reduction and other treatment models
• Working knowledge of the Biopsychosocial model of addiction treatment.
• Excellent communication (both written and verbal) and interpersonal skills with the ability to work on own initiative and as part of a team.
• Well-developed computer skills i.e. MS Word, Excel and Outlook to facilitate you devising reports and care plans, etc.
• Excellent organisation and planning skills.
• Lone working applicable.
• Be committed to his/her continuous professional development (CPD).
• Be flexible to work some evenings and a Saturday morning approx. every 4 weeks.
• Ability to maintain the principles of confidentiality in all areas of work.
• 2 positive references from current/most recent paid employment.
• Positive current Garda Vetting Disclosure via Clarecare.
• Undertake a Pre-employment Medical Assessment.
• Undertake any other relevant duties as assigned.
• Full clean driving licence.

Desirable

• Training in Addiction is desirable.
• Knowledge and understanding of MI, CBT, SFT, CRA, 5 Step Model, SMART recovery and CRAFT.
• Understanding of the Harm Reduction and other models
• Excellent facilitation and group work skills.

Benefits:

• 26 days annual leave per annum for this part-time role, excluding Public Holidays.
• Paid external session of private supervision per month.
• In-house supervision provided.
• Free access to Employee Assistance Programme Services via VHI.
• Defined Contribution Pension Scheme Membership on successful completion of probation (6 months duration). My Future Fund Pension Membership oncommencement of employment until successful completion of probation (mandatory).
• Cycle to Work Scheme.
• Access to Sick Pay Scheme on successful completion of probation (1 years duration).
• Access to Clarecare’s Wellness Programmes.