Welfare Worker - AOD Residential Units
- Location: Drug Health Services AOD Residential Units
- Employment Type: Full-time
- Salary: Welfare Worker Class 2 , Year 1-7
About the role
Drug Health Services includes two residential services; the Community Residential Withdrawal Service and Westside Lodge Dual Diagnosis Rehabilitation Centre (DDRC).Westside Lodge DDRC (Sunshine campus) provides a supportive and safe in-patient environment over a period of three months, for people aged 18 years and over requiring a client centred, recovery oriented dual diagnosis residential rehabilitation program. The therapeutic and educational program offered will support and promote positive lifestyle choices. The Welfare Worker is an integral member of the multidisciplinary team, providing both 1:1 and group interventions and support
Key responsibilities:
Leadership: Adhere to relevant professional guidelines, clinical guidelines and local models of care.Communicate information and expectations clearly and concisely in a way that builds effective and
collaborative working relationships with others.Take accountability of own actions and actions of others under direction and sphere of responsibility.Maintain a professional demeanour and role model behaviours consistent with the professional Code
of Conduct and organisational values.Lead by example and motivate staff to strive for excellence. Demonstrate initiative in supporting early career and less experienced staff.Exhibit a high level of emotional self-control and flexibility in complex, changing, and/or ambiguous situations and when confronted with challenges.
Research- Use evidence to support improvements in consumer care and practice.Identify, implement and support ways to improve practice and outcomes.Promote evidence-based practice and share findings at internal and external forums.Participate in quality and research projects as appropriate.
Evidence Based Practice- Using evidence-based practice, participate in evaluation of the progress of individuals and groups towards expected outcomes and reformulation of care plans.Be familiar with all local and organisational policies, procedures and guidelines.Participate and contribute to improvement of policies, procedures and protocols and identify areas of improvement in practice.Contribute to adverse event investigations, and undertake individual and team-based reflective practice.
Education and Learning · Participate in ongoing learning opportunities. · Contribute to the updating of educational information provided to consumers and their support networks. · Support new staff orientation processes. · Provide timely informal and formal feedback to students, early career and novice staff. · Exchange and share information with colleagues via informal or formal forums such as huddles, in-services, presentations, education forums and team meetings.
Clinical Expertise · Provide high quality, evidence based and client centred care, in line with the ‘Best Care’ Framework, to residential unit consumers and their support networks. · Demonstrate a commitment to the ‘Charter of Healthcare Rights’. · Within a supportive and therapeutic framework, provide feedback to consumers on their behaviours and, where required, outline problematic behaviour/develop an agreed plan of action with client. · Utilise de-escalation and redirection skills to assist consumers in managing emotional wellbeing. · Contribute to development and/or implementation of individual treatment plans (ITPs) · Review and adjust ITPs to support consumers to achieve treatment goals · Contribute to the Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT) meetings and other case conferences and communicate any issues / concerns / successes / recommendations regarding consumer presentation / behaviour and participation in the program.
About you:
Qualifications in a relevant discipline (welfare, social work, community development or equivalent)
· Minimum qualifications to Certificate IV level in Drug and Alcohol and/or Mental Health, or
willingness to work towards the same or equivalent
· Demonstrated experience working with clients with AOD use, mental health issues and complex
comorbidities
· Demonstrated capacity to manage and problem solve in crisis situations
· Excellent interpersonal, communication, conflict resolution and negotiation skills
· Demonstrate positive workplace behaviours
· Basic computer literacy skills
About Western Health
Western Health is one of the largest healthcare providers in Victoria, caring for a vibrant, diverse and rapidly growing community of one million people in Melbourne’s western suburbs.
With more than 13,000 staff, Western Health delivers 800,000+ occasions of care every year, providing high-quality, person-centred care across every life stage.
We provide a combination of hospital, community-based, at-home and in-reach services to aged, adult and paediatric patients and newborn babies. Specialties include oncology, renal, mental health, women’s health and maternity, chronic diseases, geriatrics and cardiology.
We have remarkable strengths in chronic disease, complex care and developing innovative and sustainable healthcare solutions. Our experience at the coalface of healthcare delivery for some of Australia’s most culturally and socioeconomically diverse and vulnerable populations provides us with unique insights into the most pressing health challenges.
Western Health operates four acute public hospitals: Sunshine Hospital (including Joan Kirner Women’s and Children’s), Footscray Hospital, Williamstown Hospital and Bacchus Marsh Hospital. We also operate Sunbury Community Hospital, Sunshine Mental Health and Wellbeing Centre, Melton Health and Community Services, Bacchus Marsh Community Health Centre, Caroline Springs Community Health Centre and Grant Lodge Residential Aged Care in Bacchus Marsh. Western Health also provides the primary healthcare service at the Dame Phyllis Frost Centre, a women’s prison located in Ravenhall.
Why join us?
Compensation and benefits
- Competitive salary packages aligned with market standards.
- Health and wellbeing programs, including flexible work arrangements.
- Scholarships and grants to support your continuous learning journey.
Learning and development opportunities
- Access the Western Health Learning Academy (WHA) for personalised learning pathways.
- Professional growth programs, including postgraduate studies and clinical education.
- Mentorship and career support.
Community impact and inclusion
- Make a meaningful difference in patients’ lives through compassionate care.
- Join a workforce that champions diversity and inclusion.
- Engage in community wellbeing initiatives and groundbreaking healthcare research.
Organisational culture and environment
- Thrive in a collaborative, compassionate and innovative team environment.
- Be part of a culture that celebrates continuous improvement and excellence in healthcare.
Ready to make an impact?
If you’re passionate about compassionate care, innovation, community wellbeing, we’d love to hear from you. Simply click on the “apply” button and follow the prompts.
If you are currently employed at Western Health, please ensure you sign in through the 'Employee Login' via the external Careers Page or access the Careers Page via the intranet before applying.
Closing date: 11:59pm on 27 Febriary 2026
Enquiries: For further information about this role, contact Linda Kelly on 03 8345 4010
Western Health is an equal opportunity employer committed to attracting and retaining diversity in our workforce. We encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Western Health is committed to providing a safe environment for the children and young people who are involved in our services, sites and operations. We follow and abide by all legislative requirements to keep children and young people safe.
All appointments are made subject to a satisfactory Police Record Check, an Immunisation Status Clearance and a Working with Children Check (if applicable).
Western Health does not accept unsolicited resumes/applications from recruitment agencies.
Western Health