Mental Health Adviser (Counsellor)

Southern Command, Custodial Operations is responsible for the delivery of custodial services across Queensland. People in custody are supervised in either high or low security correctional centres. High security centres provide for the management of adult prisoners held in secure custody correctional centres across Queensland.

The Mental Health Adviser (Counsellor) role forms part of a multidisciplinary mental health team within a correctional centre. The role contributes to community safety through the provision of mental health screening and triage, welfare assistance, intervention and approved programs to offenders.

The primary accountabilities of the Mental Health Adviser (Counsellor) include:

- Conduct mental health, disability, and suicide or self-harm risk screening of offenders, and record information.
- Complete referrals as required to internal and external stakeholders.
- Respond to offender requests for support in relation to welfare needs and collaborate with relevant internal and external stakeholders as required.
- Deliver individual or group-based brief, skill acquisition focused interventions aimed at developing coping skills and building resilience.
- Provide case management to individuals with presenting mental health, disability or other vulnerabilities using effective time management and prioritisation skills, including clinical and non-clinical responsibilities and the maintenance of accurate record and documentation.
- Engage in evidence-based practice relevant to the prevention of suicide and self-harm behaviour.
- Maintain own level of knowledge of contemporary offender rehabilitation research and practices, and legislation, policy and procedures in relation to offender management.
- Participate in professional supervision and development activities, including team meetings.
- As a member of a multi-disciplinary unit, provide consultancy services to, and accept referrals from, other unit members including Psychologists/Mental Health Clinicians, Education Officers, Program Delivery Officers, and Custodial Correctional Officers.
- Ensure maintenance, accuracy and appropriateness of records for appropriate authorities.
- Ensure records and information data for the Integrated Offender Management system (IOMS) are accurate and current.
- Ensure the safety and security of self and others and the security and confidentiality of QCS property and information.
- Liaise and develop productive relationships with external service providers to optimise offender community integration consistent with the highest standards of community safety.
- Provide advice to appropriate authorities regarding community re-integration and parole processes.
- Provide timely advice to offenders about available services and community expectations.
- Maintain high level knowledge regarding services for offenders.

The role description provides the minimum requirements for the role. The incumbent may be required to undertake other duties as required outside of these primary accountabilities.

Applications to remain current for 12 months.