Job Description – Project Worker Addiction Treatment Services
Job Title:
Job Purpose:
Project Worker/ Acting up project worker – Addiction Treatment
Services
To provide a low threshold, community based, addiction support and
relapse prevention programme which allows individuals to address their
addiction as a barrier to exiting homelessness
Reports to:
Addiction Treatment Service Manager
Location:
Ushers Island complex, Tallaght, City and County
Core Job Requirements
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To process referrals, admissions and discharges as per referral and assessment procedure.
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To engage with, & build a professional trusting relationship with services users, treating them with
dignity & respect in order to work within the values of the Dublin Simon Community.
To carry out a holistic needs assessment, engage in case and care management and care
planning through effective key working to provide a quality evidence based service based on good
practice to each client to facilitate the clients in their alcohol rehabilitation efforts, in accordance
with Dublin Simon Community’s policies and procedures.
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To develop and facilitate with regular reviews, a wide range of groups
To support individuals to establish and maintain external support networks that assists them in
removing barriers to exiting homelessness.
To induct thoroughly and work cohesively where applicable with Full and Part time Volunteers for
the delivery of this service and to be a key participant in the induction and ongoing training of new
staff, relief staff, graduates, student placements and community employment participants
Maintain positive and mutually beneficial relationships with relevant external agencies in both the
voluntary and statutory sector and to effectively liaise with a range of service providers both
Voluntary and Statutory (referrals, mental health, occupational therapy and so on) in order to
establish or improve services available to service users.
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To perform tasks related to the day to day running and maintenance of an effective residential
service such as food preparation, hygiene of the home, standards of living, maintaining of building
and to ensure that a welcoming and friendly environment is maintained.
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Carry out regular and accurate, urine/breath testing and room searches, to ensure unit is kept,
drug and alcohol free.
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Offer support to service users around court dates and legal information
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To perform as a full team member supporting colleagues, participating in effective handovers and
communicating promptly in order to ensure effective working relationships and to attend internal/
external meetings such as service user review, team meetings, working groups and planning
days.
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Ensure clients are consulted and involved in the operation of the project as far as possible through
the service users groups in Dublin Simon Community.
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Ensure compliance with organisation policies to ensure consistent delivery of service and
maintenance of quality standards in an alcohol and drug free environment.
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Responsible for the achievement of goals as determined by scorecard.
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Participate in regular supervision and performance review, contributing to the identification of own
job related targets and training needs.
Job Description – Project Worker Addiction Treatment Services
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To encourage clients in engaging in a healthy lifestyle & reinforce non addictive social activities
among others.
To support clients in participating in client led initiatives supported through Dublin Simon
community.
To develop & facilitate a range of support groups for individuals addressing their addiction &
related problems.
To complete administrative tasks such as report writing, maintenance of accurate statistics,
records, up-to-date client case notes, PASS, HNAs, Outcomes star , scorecard updates.
Ensuring effective handovers and information transmission for the service to run smoothly &
effectively.
To work as a full team member supporting colleagues through respect, dignity and good
communication in order to ensure effective working relationships
To provide regular, consistent & comprehensive reporting regarding developments or problems in
the service to the Manager.
To abide by Dublin Simon Community’s Health & Safety regulations & standard operating
procedures relating to the fire procedure, safety of Staff etc., in order to ensure that the well being
of all staff is maintained.
To support other Simon Services in relation to alcohol issues.
Requirements of all Dublin Simon staff
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Commitment to the purpose of Dublin Simon Community and to work within the values, policies
and procedures of the organisation and in the context of current legislation and regulations
To participate in regular supervision with your line manager
To actively participate in team and staff meetings and service reviews/ evaluations and to
contribute to the development of policy and practice with your area of work and within Dublin
Simon as a whole
To report any area of concern to your line manager in a timely manner
To show reasonable flexibility in relation to hours of attendance to meet the needs of the work.
Work during unsocial hours may be required.
Have a flexible approach to the work in response to organisational change, development and
review of best practice.
Participate in and engage with a performance management programme.
Identify training needs with your line manager and participate in training opportunities appropriate
to the role
To be vigilant to any Health, Safety and Welfare risks in the workplace and bring any concerns to
the attention of your line manager or Health & Safety Representative
To participate in the efficient flow of information within the organisation by sharing and seeking
information as appropriate
To undertake other duties as may be requested by the line manager from time to time
To undertake your work in a manner that is friendly, flexible and informal.
Note: This Job Description will be reviewed and updated in line with the needs of the work.
Person Specification
Qualification
Essential
Desirable
A recognised third level qualification to degree
level in one of the following disciplines:
Addiction, Psychology, social care, Counselling
and Psychotherapy
The successful candidate will be required to
complete a keyworking skills accredited course
eg DCU training
IT training,
Working towards
professional accreditation.
Job Description – Project Worker Addiction Treatment Services
Knowledge
Experience
Core
Competencies
Client
Centeredness
Effectiveness &
Professional
Practice
Working Together
(a) Care planning/Case management
(b) Holistic needs assessments
(c) Outcome stars
(d) Key working sessions
(e) child Protection
(g) Knowledge of drugs pharmacology
(h) data Protection and confidentiality
(I) risk assessments
Three years experience working in the field of
Homelessness and Addictions.
Group work
One to one sessions
Crisis intervention and support.
Commitment to providing the highest levels of
quality service
Respect for the dignity of others
Openness to change
Commitment to best practice and professional
development
Good Communication
 Oral and aural
 Written
 Computer
Commitment to health & safety
Commitment to promoting choice,
independence, health and well being
Ability to assist in assessments, care planning
and review for individuals
Focused on outcomes
Ability to contribute to the prevention and
management of challenging behaviour
Contributing to the protection of individuals
Advocacy
Committed to effective Professional Practice
Planning and organising
Analysis & problem solving
Initiative and taking responsibility
Leadership
Influencing and negotiating
Resilience and positive outlook
Effective team working
Developing external relationships
Signature of Employee
Date:
Knowledge of national
drugs strategy
Knowledge of QUADS
Experience of working
from a harm reductive
approach
Loan working and visiting
supports.