Job Title: Cocaine Project Worker

Reports to: Senior Project Worker

Job Location: Balbriggan, Dublin Area – Office in EDIT Hub, Raheny.

Hours: 35 hours per week. Some out of hours work required.

Job Type: 3 - Year Fixed Term

Salary: € 36,720

Contact Email: Dylan.murphy@coolminetc.ie

Application Ref. CTC/HR/DUB/SDL/CCPW/0425

Coolmine Therapeutic Community

Coolmine is a leading drug and alcohol treatment service providing community, day and residential services to men and women with problematic substance use and their families in Ireland established since 1973. Coolmine Therapeutic Community believes that everyone should have the opportunity to overcome addiction and lead a fulfilled and productive life.

Purpose:

• The role of the Cocaine Project Worker is to deliver a standardised group programme for powder cocaine users, and a contingency management programme for crack cocaine users within the Balbriggan. The Standardised Programme is underpinned by Janus Solutions Resonance Factor and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, and as such the Cocaine Specialist will draw on these approaches in their everyday work.
   
• The Cocaine Project Worker will liaise with a variety of agencies to identify and engage individuals who need specific cocaine/crack interventions, providing assessments and on-going key working supports for group members. They will co-deliver several programmes (approximately 12) annually, linking individuals to additional supports in the community where appropriate.
   
• The Cocaine Project Worker will be responsible for keeping accurate records and outcome measurements, providing regular reports and evaluations to inform the development of their programme of work.
   
• It is expected in the normal course of events that the role will evolve as professional, and service demands change. As such the Cocaine Project Worker will operate flexibility of working hours to accommodate individuals who are currently in employment.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

Service Provision

• To work alongside colleagues to ensure the smooth running of all service provision provided by the organisation.
• Ensure that the specific cocaine programmes runs smoothly and in accordance with organisational procedures.
• To regularly review, evaluate and develop initiatives for ongoing effective and needs based service delivery.
• To monitor and evaluate effectiveness and outcomes of treatment for service users.
• Have a flexible approach to the work in response to organisational change, development and review of best practice.
• To work as part of the team with regular and consistent communication participating actively in all team meetings and supporting the organisation’s ethos.
• Work within and contribute to organisational policies and procedures to ensure that a consistent delivery of this service and quality standards are adhered to.
• To prepare written reports, statistics and other information that may be required by the Manager.
• Responsible for keeping updated on organisation’s policies and procedures.

Service User

• To co-deliver powder cocaine specific group interventions alongside HSE Addiction Services and local funded organisations.
• To co-deliver a crack contingency management programme alongside HSE Addiction Services and local funded organisations.
• To provide one to one support to individuals engaged in both powder cocaine and crack cocaine groups.
• To provide Key Working supports to individuals using a range of evidence-based interventions across the continuum of care.
• Establish appropriate therapeutic contracts with service users to facilitate the key working process.
• Conduct initial assessments to all individuals referred to the cocaine programmes prior to programme commencement.
• Refer to rehabilitation residential facilities where appropriate.
• Inform and facilitate service users to access other appropriate health care supports or specialist services and facilitate this through a shared care approach.
• To identify potential gaps to progression for service users and problem solve in conjunction with other services.
• To liaise and network with other agencies – i.e. statutory, voluntary and community.
• Attend case management meetings and act on behalf of the service user as case manager where required.
• Ensure all aspects of case management are undertaken including intervention planning and recording of all relevant information.

Risk Management

• Develop risk assessments related to external working environments.
• Develop and implement service users risk assessments and continually review as required.
• Follow necessary risk management procedures e.g. dynamic risk assessments, lone worker protocol, suicide / self-harm procedure and violence procedure.
• Adhere to the safeguarding procedures and relevant internal and external policy and standards.
• Contribute to the efficient and effective use, maintenance, and security, of physical resources in relation to own and other’s work within the project.
• Undertake relevant risk management training and liaise with the Manager regarding any changes in service user risks.

Communication (Internal and External)

• Work proactively with a variety of agencies to identify and engage with specific cocaine and crack cocaine users.
• To consult with external stakeholders regarding delivery of cocaine and crack cocaine specific initiatives.
• Work in a multi-agency and case management manner with both internal and external stakeholders.
• Develop and maintain appropriate professional relationships with service users, colleagues, and stakeholders.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of information sharing protocols, audit systems, referral pathways and individual care plans.
• Represent the organisation professionally through a variety of mediums e.g. Telephone, email, presentations.
• Attend and participate in relevant committees as advised by the Manager.

Administration

• Produce monthly and quarterly reports for the Manager in line with organisational requirements and compile any ad hoc information requests relating as required.
• Responsible for maintaining a complete, accurate and up to date record for each treatment episode on the HRB NDTRS LINK system.
• Ensure compliance with necessary recording procedures e.g., eCASS client information system.
• To maintain records and submit statistics and activity data in a timely manner.
• To observe professional ethical standards and behaviours as required by organisational policies and procedures, Freedom of Information Act, Data Protection Act and requirements of relevant professional accrediting bodies ensuring confidentiality and security of records.

Supervision

• To attend and participate in group/individual clinical supervision as required.
• To actively participate in performance management supervision.
• Agree work plan and targets with line manager.

Training

• Attend all core training in line with organisational requirements (e.g. eCASS, Children’s First, HSE Land).
• Identify and discuss professional training needs and training programmes with line manager to maximise own potential and development.
• Utilise other forms of self-directed learning to maximise professional learning (on line training, shadowing opportunities).
• Ensure that learning gained is implemented in practice and where possible shared with team members to maintain professional standards.
• To engage in in-service and other relevant training opportunities and to keep up to date with new developments in substance use interventions.
• To develop and conduct relevant research within the service and the evaluation of such research to improve treatment and therapeutic standards

Health & Safety

• Adhere to Health & Safety Policies and Procedures e.g. Lone Working Policy, transport policy
• Will act as a key holder for any buildings and secure the buildings as appropriate.
• Complete training and adhere to all Fire Safety regulations.

Project Specific Duties:

In addition to the overall role description outlined the post holder will be required to complete the following specific duties relevant to the service.

• Work closely with community, voluntary and statutory services to ensure that service users can access support in relation to other needs.
• Ensure regular service user reviews take place where appropriate with probation, health services and any other agency the service user are engaged with.
• In conjunction with the Team Leader / Project Manager to continuously develop the role to ensure that all aspects of the service are managed effectively and in line with service requirements.
• Ensure compliance with HSE Safer Better Healthcare quality standards framework across the service.
• Source and update resources in addition to keeping up to date with current developments in the sector.
• Support the development and roll out of a service user involvement framework specific to the service.
• Deliver direct work to service users as part of overall team.
• As part of the team provide on-call support when required.
• Undertake other duties as reasonably requested for the delivery of the service.

Person Specification

Education

Essential:

• Third Level qualification in Addiction Studies, Addiction Counselling or related field, Minimum of NFQ Level 7 Diploma

Experience

Essential:

• Three years’ experience working within the drug and alcohol field.
• Experience of working directly with service users.
• Experience of the implementation and evaluation of care planning and Case Management.
• Experience in providing statistics and reports.
• Full clean driving licence and willingness to drive as part of work.

Desirable:

• Experience delivering SAOR Brief Interventions.
• Experience in a leadership or management position.

Knowledge & Skills

• Experience and competence in the delivery of key working, care planning and case management with individuals across the continuum of care.
• Experience of and competence of formal screening, assessment and care plan development.
• Experience of and competence in providing support to those in crisis.
• Have an extensive knowledge of drug related issues and their effect and influence on individuals, families and communities.
• Have experience of high quality inter-agency work, involving community, voluntary and statutory agencies.
• Therapeutic competencies such as CRA, MI, CBT, SFBT etc.
• A working knowledge of Janus Solutions Resonance Factor.
• Experience in facilitating psychosocial therapeutic and educational group work.
• Possess an understanding of the current National Drugs Strategy, Substance Misuse Strategy and the National Drug Rehabilitation Framework.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication and listening skills.
• Ability and competence in the use of IT Systems – Microsoft Word, Excel, email and Ecass.
• Has excellent communication and listening skills.
• Enjoys working with people, is approachable, and demonstrates warm and friendly mannerisms.
• Is clear and explicit about professional and personal boundaries.
• Clear written and verbal communication skills
• High IT literacy skills.
• Have a “can do” attitude and a positive solution focused approach to problem solving and conflict resolution.
• Uses assertive behaviour, demonstrating dignity and respect for self and others at all times.
• Capacity to work effectively under pressure.
• Committed to meeting the needs of excluded and marginalised people.
• Open to working in an outreach capacity in appropriate services/locations
• Committed to follow up with allied health and social care services.
• Have capacity to attend to a considerable number of phone calls / emails and follow up.

Application Process:

Interested candidates who meet the Person Specification requirements should send their CV & cover letter to Dylan Murphy, HR Coordinator on dylan.murphy@coolminetc.ie

Please quote the application reference number CTC/HR/DUB/SDL/CCPW/0425

The closing date for applications is Tuesday the 22nd of April 2025.

Coolmine Therapeutic Community is an equal opportunities employer.