Drug & Alcohol Clinician

Drug & Alcohol Clinician

• Location: Footscray


• Employment Type: Full-Time, Ongoing


• Salary: Social Worker Grade 2, Community Development Worker Class 2A or Psychologist Grade 2 + Superannuation + Salary Packaging

About the role:

Western Health Drug Health Services is seeking an experienced Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) Clinician to join the Women’s Therapeutic Day Program (WTDP) and work in collaboration with the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing (DFFH) Child Protection (CP). This position provides an exciting opportunity for a clinician to work in a varied role in a team that is innovative, supportive and fosters individual growth.

The day program team is multidisciplinary incorporating a feminist framework; empowering women to explore, understand and make changes to their identified substance use in a therapeutic environment promoting positive lifestyle changes. The programs model of care is evidence based, holistic, person centred and recovery focussed. The program runs for 6 weeks and facilitates relapse prevention and life skills groups, weekend planning and review, individual recovery planning and referral/linkage to community supports as identified.

The AOD Clinician works independently and in partnership with DFFH CP from a Best Interest framework for vulnerable children and youth. The role provides clinical consultation, builds AOD capacity, education, assessments, explores parent’s/guardian’s insight into impacts of substance use towards parenting capacity and prepares court reports in the CP component of work.

Key responsibilities:

• Complete comprehensive Drug and Alcohol Assessments for clients


• Provide Care and Recovery support to women  


• Provide therapeutic interventions that are evidence based and consistent with current best practice standards in substance use treatment


• Individual case management for women participating in the WTDP


• Facilitate psychoeducation groups for women participating in the program and deliver education sessions for DFFH Child Protection


• Prepare court reports for DFFH, CP

About you:

• Will have qualifications in a health-related discipline such as Bachelor of Social Work, Psychology or Community Development


• Possess excellent written and verbal communication skills


• Understand and have a commitment to the principles and practises of harm minimisation in the drug and alcohol field


• Will have excellent clinical skills that includes completing AOD biopsychosocial assessments, treatment planning and health care education with a family violence lens


• Experience in working effectively, independently, within a multidisciplinary team and with external stakeholders

Position Description

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 working within a multidisciplinary team supporting clients by providing compassionate, innovative and person-centered care, 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 20 February 2026.

Enquiries: For further information about this role, contact Sharon McGillivray on 0401 670 560 or via [email protected]. 

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