Job Title: Drug and Alcohol Worker

Location: Midlands (Laois / Offaly)

Reports to: Midlands Drug and Alcohol Service Coordinator

About this Role:

The Midlands Drug and Alcohol Service offers a free, confidential, non-judgemental, and supportive service. Our mission is to support any person impacted addiction. We can provide both onsite and outreach-based appointments to ensure accessible support for all. The main objective of this role is to provide evidence-based support for individuals and families impacted by substance use.

Main Responsibilities

• Individual Support: Work directly with individuals impacted by drug or alcohol use.
• Group Work: Facilitate groups using evidence-based approaches.
• Assessments: Conduct comprehensive assessments to understand the needs of individuals, evaluating their needs and identifying appropriate interventions.
• Key Working: Develop one-on-one supportive relationships with clients, providing guidance, advocacy, and support.
• Care Plan Development: Collaborate with clients to develop tailored care plans that address their specific needs and goals.
• Case Management: Manage cases by coordinating with various services and monitoring progress to ensure that individuals receive the appropriate supports to achieve the goals set out in care plans.
• Interventions: Provide evidence-based interventions, such as key working, psycho-educational workshops, and therapeutic activities.
• Facilitate needle and syringe exchange as well as distributing other Harm Reduction items such as crack pipes, condoms etc.
• Offer rehabilitation and aftercare supports to service users.
• Link with prisons and support people post release to access appropriate services.
• Provide information, advocacy and treatment support to service users and their families.

Community & Collaboration:

• Service Provider Relationships: Build and maintain relationships with local service providers, including health services, addiction treatment centres, and community organisations.
• Community Stakeholders: Engage with community stakeholders to create a network of support for people impacted by substance abuse.
• Identifying Gaps: Identify potential gaps in services and resources and work collaboratively to find solutions.
• External Support Coordination: Source and organise external support services, such as legal advice, financial assistance, and healthcare, to address specific needs.

Administrative Duties:

• Client Records: Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of client interactions, assessments, and progress using electronic systems.
• Report Preparation: Prepare regular reports, statistics, and other necessary documentation as required by the Service Coordinator and management.
• Volunteer Support: Assist in the recruitment, induction, and retention of volunteers, providing them with the necessary support and supervision.
• Produce standard monthly and quarterly reports for the Service Co-Ordinator and/or Head of Day Services in line with funding agencies requirements and compile any ad hoc information requests relating as required.
• Compile and report on complaints and compliments received as required
• Responsible for ensuring that statistics/data are kept updated on the CRM system at all times and provide reports to the Service Co-Ordinator in keeping with all required deadlines and on an ad hoc basis as required.
• Responsible for maintaining a complete, accurate and up to date record for each treatment episode on the HRB on-line web based system

Compliance & Quality:

• Policy Adherence: Ensure all activities comply with organisational policies, including safeguarding, confidentiality, and health and safety.
• Incident Management: Manage incidents and emergencies effectively, following organisational protocols and documenting details appropriately.
• Quality Standards: Ensure consistent delivery of high-quality services in line with National Standards for Better Safer Healthcare.

Additional Responsibilities:

• Meetings & Training: Attend internal and external meetings, training sessions, and professional development opportunities as required.
• Volunteer Supervision: Provide supervision, guidance, and training to volunteers and other personnel.
• Fundraising Support: Assist the Fundraising Team with events and initiatives related to the service.
• Undertake additional tasks as assigned by the Service Coordinator, contributing to the overall success of the service delivery.

Person Specification

Essential:

• Level 7 qualification in Addiction/Social Care/Social Studies, Counselling, Psychology, or a related field.
• 2 years of frontline experience working with people who use drugs and alcohol.
• Experience in group facilitation.
• Knowledge of evidence based approached (e.g., Harm Reduction, CRA, CBT, SMART Recovery).
• Understanding of National Drug & Alcohol Strategy and National Drug Rehabilitation Framework.
• Full driving license.

Desirable:

• Accreditation in evidence-based approaches to working with people who use drugs and alcohol (e.g. CRA, CBT, Resonance Factor, SMART Recovery).

Salary: €33,860 to €37,980 DOE

Hours: 39 hours per week (Monday – Friday, with some evening work required)

Contract: Contract of Indefinite Duration

Closing Date: 10th February 2025

Benefits MQI Offer:

• Fulfilling and challenging work.
• Sick Pay Scheme.
• Minimum 23 days of annual leave.
• Defined Contribution Pension Scheme (after 6 months, plus Death in Service benefit).
• Line management supervision.
• Learning and development program.
• Paid family leave (maternity, paternity, parental, adoptive, force majeure, compassionate leave).
• Educational assistance (study and examination leave).
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• Health & Wellness Programme.

Additional Information:

• Management reserves the right to amend or change this job description as required.
• This position is subject to Garda Vetting Clearance, IPS Security Clearance and background checks.
• Merchants Quay Ireland is an equal opportunity employer.

Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI):

Merchants Quay Ireland is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace that values and respects all individuals. We believe in the strength that diversity brings to our team and are dedicated to promoting equality of opportunity and fostering a culture of inclusion.
We welcome applications from all sections of the community and strive to ensure our recruitment process is inclusive and free from bias.
Our commitment to EDI is reflected in our policies and practices, ensuring a supportive environment where everyone can thrive and contribute to their fullest potential.

Application Process:

If you are interested in this exciting role, please click the link below to apply by the 10th of February 2025:
https://login.hirelocker.com/merchants-quay-ireland/jobs/31089/drug-and-alcohol-worker-laoise-offaly-laois-offaly