Therapeutic Specialist

About the role:

The Therapeutic Specialist role reports through to the Principal Practitioner. The position works closely with the Managers and Coordinators of the local region to deliver clinical and therapeutic services for children, young people, families and carers who are clients of the programs.   

The Therapeutic Specialist is responsible for guiding and supporting carer and staff interactions with children and young people, conducting assessments, developing therapeutic treatment plans and leading reflective practice to support carers and staff to develop their therapeutic skills. In addition, the Therapeutic Specialist will, as required, provide therapeutic services including Family Therapy directly to the children, young people and families who are clients of our services.

The Therapeutic Specialist works closely with the Manager, program staff and other service partners in the management of complex cases and practice quality issues. This includes the provision of specialist expertise and assistance, case consultancy and review and the promotion of reflective and evidence-based practice.

This is a Permanent Part-Time 0.6 EFT opportunity based in South Melbourne within our Clinical Program. The position reports to the Principal Practitioner.

Key Selection Criteria:

To be successful in this role, the incumbent will have:

• An appropriate tertiary qualification in Psychology, Social Work or a related discipline is essential. Post Graduate training in relevant child, adolescent and family clinical practice, family work and systemic thinking is strongly preferred.
• Therapeutic specialists will have a thorough understanding (based on advanced training/qualifications and a body of knowledge on recognised theoretical approaches) of the impact of trauma, disrupted attachment and abuse/neglect on a child or young person’s development and wellbeing
• Therapeutic specialists will have substantial experience in working therapeutically with young people and demonstrated capacity to persevere to achieve positive outcomes when working with young people who have experienced trauma and have complex needs and presentations
• Therapeutic specialists must demonstrate a thorough understanding of Aboriginal and CALD (Culturally and Linguistically Diverse) cultures to provide culturally sensitive and effective care for young people in residential care 

Please address the full Key Selection Criteria outlined in the PD as part of your application.

For a full position listing, please click APPLY. The Position Description is available for review at the bottom of the page.

For more information, please contact:

Katherine Long-Davidson at Katherine.Long-Davidson@mackillop.org.au

Our offer:

• Generous Salary Packaging - helps increase your take home pay
• Ongoing Career Development, Education and Training
• Employee Assistance Program – free and confidential counselling, coaching and emotional support for work and personal challenges
• Click HERE to find out more about becoming a member of the MacKillop Family Services team and what further support we have to offer our employees.

You must have a:

• Valid and current Driver’s Licence;
• Satisfactory Criminal History Check (paid for by MacKillop);
• Valid Employee Working with Children Check;
• Valid and current NDIS Workers Screening Check (for risk assessed / client facing roles). MacKillop can assist successful candidates with their application.

Our Commitment:

MacKillop celebrates and draws strength from diversity and respects the dignity of all people. Every person at MacKillop has the right to be safe and to be treated justly. We value every person’s ability, cultural or linguistic backgrounds, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, intersex status, relationship status, religious or spiritual beliefs, socio-economic status, and age.

It is our goal that MacKillop Family Services continues to evolve as a culturally safe, culturally competent, and welcoming organisation to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, young people, families, and communities.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.

Shortlisting for this position may commence immediately so please submit your application as soon as possible