Step into a leadership role at the forefront of a skilled and passionate team, driving innovative, evidence-based interventions that support people seeking help with alcohol and other drug use.

As a MERIT Team Leader, you’ll guide and inspire a dynamic workforce, shaping services that change lives. Join a professional and supportive environment where your work contributes to healthier communities and where every day brings the reward of making a lasting impact.

Our benefits:

• A collaborative, teams-based multi-disciplinary approach to patient care
• Engaging and intellectually stimulating work
• A team that is inclusive, respectful, and values the diverse communities it serves
• A position dedicated to empowering others to achieve their goals
• Annual Leave + 17.5% Leave Loading (Full Time & Part Time Employees)
• One additional day off per month (Full Time Employees Only) 
• Paid Maternity and Parental Leave provisions
• Salary Packaging & Novated Leasing through Smart Salary
• Learning and Development Opportunities through inhouse RTO & the Education and Organisational Development Service
• Discounted Gym Membership through Fitness Passport
• Employee Assistance Program

Employment Type: Permanent Full Time, 38 hours per week
Location: Drug Health Services, Level 2, 157-161 George St, Liverpool 2170
Position Classification: Counsellor Level 4
Remuneration:  $121,658 - $124,607 per annum

Also open to Social Workers, Psychologists and Welfare Officers
 

Requisition ID: REQ602660
Application Close Date: 28/09/2025
Interview Date Range: 01/10/2025 – 08/10/2025
Contact Details: Anna Kearns – 0417 323 183 | [email protected]

Swslhd Team Leader Magistrates Early Referral Into Treatment Merit Program Perm Ft

Please note: A current influenza (flu) vaccination is a mandatory requirement for appointment to this position

Who we are

At South Western Sydney Local Health District (SWSLHD) Drug Health Services, we are committed to providing compassionate, evidence-based care to individuals, families, and carers affected by alcohol and other drug use.

Our team delivers tailored programs and holistic support across hospitals and community health centres, guided by strategic plans and innovative frameworks that have earned us recognition in the field of drug health. We take pride in tailoring our approach to recovery, ensuring every client receives the support they need to enhance their wellbeing.

Working within our alcohol and other drugs team means being part of a service that values openness, flexibility, and a strengths-based approach. We listen to understand—not to label.

We are an inclusive and committed workforce where staff are encouraged to bring their whole selves to work. Our diversity is our strength, reflecting the vibrant communities we serve.

What you’ll be doing

The primary purpose of this position is to lead the multi-disciplinary teams that provide assessments, evidence-based interventions, case management, co-ordination of clinical and welfare interventions and written reports to clients of the Magistrates Early Referral Into Treatment (MERIT) Program.

Using innovative, evidence-based skills and interventions, you will professionally support individuals seeking assistance with alcohol and drug use. You will take a trauma-informed approach and provide respectful, person-centred care, tailored to individual’s needs. Central to your role will be employing an individualised, holistic approach to care, incorporating comprehensive care planning to address the diverse physical, emotional, and social aspects of each person’s journey.

This position will provide leadership to the MERIT team across South Western Sydney Local Health District. This team provides evidence-based, strengths focused, recovery orientated assessment and treatment within a multi-disciplinary team.

Magistrates Early Referral Into Treatment (MERIT) Program – The MERIT Program is a local court based voluntary diversion program which targets adult defendants with illicit drug use problems who are eligible for release on bail and motivated to undertake drug treatment. The program is three months in duration, reflecting the average local court bail period.

This service provides options for clients to improve their health and social functioning while reducing crime and increasing quality of life.

The working partnership with the court, clinicians and clients helps magistrates administer sentences which can better reflect rehabilitation prospects for successful MERIT clients.

A counsellor position in the alcohol and other drugs sector offers a challenging and rewarding role. It provides the opportunity to take pride in the field, with a strong focus on human rights and intellectually stimulating work.

Your contribution as a healthcare professional will have a meaningful and positive impact, which is felt at a community level.

How to Apply
To be considered for this position, please ensure you address the below questions as thoroughly as possible. View our application guide for information on how to respond to criteria and improve your application.

1. Relevant tertiary qualifications which provide eligibility for membership with a professional organisation and/or current registration with AHPRA where applicable. A Counsellor must hold as a minimum a bachelor’s degree in counselling or a related field (other qualification such as Social Work, Welfare or Psychology will be deemed equivalent)
2. Demonstrated advanced clinical skills in assessment, case management and counselling within a drug and alcohol service
3. Demonstrated experience in managing a multidisciplinary team of clinicians providing drug and alcohol interventions
4. High level communication skills including the ability to vet court reports and prepare statistical and technical reports
5. Demonstrated experience in leading quality improvement initiatives
6. Applicants must possess an Australian C-Class driver's license (including P1 or P2). Those who hold a C class license (P1 or P2 included) from a state other than NSW must obtain a NSW C class (P1 or P2 included) license within three months of appointment. Learner's licenses are not permitted.

Need more information? 
  1) Click here for the Position Description 
  2) Find out more about applying for this position
 

Additional Information

Salary Packaging 
South Western Sydney Local Health District employees are able to enjoy the benefits of salary packing. Visit Smart Salary for more details.

Health & Fitness
South Western Sydney Local Health District employees  receive discounted Gym Membership/Corporate Wellbeing Programs, including Fitness Passport.

Transforming Your Experience 
Transforming Your Experience (TYE) is SWSLHDs key strategy to always positively transform your, our patients, our consumers, our staffs and our communities experiences across our organisation and services. Our vision is that our care is always safe, high quality and personalised and all our staff are supported and empowered to achieve their full potential. SWSLHD upholds the CORE Values – Collaboration, Openness, Respect and Empowerment.

To be eligible for permanent appointment to a position in NSW Health, you must have an Australian citizenship or permanent Australian residency.
 

At South Western Sydney Local Health District we are proud to be an equal opportunity employer, where we don’t just accept differences but we honour and support it. Committed to providing a working environment that thrives and values diversity, we encourage people of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander background, people with a disability and people from the LGBTQI+ community to apply.

SWSLHD is committed to driving a child safe culture that upholds children and young people’s rights. We strive to ensure children and young people feel safe, supported and included in their care. Existing staff of SWSLHD and those seeking employment are required to take the safety, welfare and wellbeing of children and young people seriously while taking action to keep them safe from harm and abuse.

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