This is a Drug & Alcohol Intake Officer role with Hunter New England Local Health District based in Newcastle, NSW, AU Hunter New England Local Health District Role Seniority - junior More about the Drug & Alcohol Intake Officer role at Hunter New England Local Health District If you’re looking for a role where your skills truly matter and your work creates positive change every day, we’d love to hear from you. Come and be part of a team that makes a difference. Employment Type: Temporary Part Time until June 2026 Position Classification: Counsellor Level 1/ 2, Social Worker Level 1/ 2, Psychologist, Registered Nurse Remuneration: $76,364.00 - $89,232.00 per anum superannuation Hours Per Week: 24 Requisition ID: REQ633640 Location: James Fletcher Hospital Applications Close: Sunday 1st February 2026 Are you passionate about making a real difference in people’s lives? The DACS Intake Team is a small, dynamic and supportive team providing a vital first point of contact for people seeking help with alcohol and other drug concerns. Based at the James Fletcher Campus in Newcastle, our work is meaningful, rewarding and at times challenging. We pride ourselves on valuing one another, sharing knowledge, and working collaboratively to achieve the best outcomes for our clients and their families. About The Role As a member of the DACS Intake Team, no two days are the same. A typical day will see you: Completing comprehensive Drug and Alcohol Assessments, primarily over the phone Determining the most appropriate Drug & Alcohol service for each client Facilitating referrals and supporting smooth pathways into care Providing clear, compassionate information to clients, as well as concerned family members or friends Our service operates Monday to Friday, 8:00am – 4:30pm (excluding public holidays), supporting a healthy work–life balance. About You We are looking for someone who is: Innovative, professional and ethical Confident in engaging people experiencing challenges with alcohol or other drugs Skilled in verbal, written and interpersonal communication A strong team player who values collaboration and shared learning Your ability to provide respectful, person-centred support will be key to helping clients engage with the services they need. Why join us? You will be well supported by the Nurse Unit Manager, DACS Intake Clinical Nurse Consultant (CNC), and a multidisciplinary team across the wider service, including the DACS Clinical Nurse Educator. We are committed to your growth and wellbeing, offering: Ongoing professional development opportunities Regular education sessions Encouraged and supported Clinical Supervision Requirements Must hold a degree in Social Work, Psychology, Nursing, Counselling or other qualification deemed equivalent by the employer, which provides eligibility or membership of the relevant professional association and full registration through the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA), where applicable. What We Can Offer You At Hunter New England Health enjoy a career where you're challenged by interesting work and surrounded by spectacular locations. Join the team enriching health in millions of ways every day: Sustainable Healthcare: Together towards zero Proximity to shopping and other services 4 weeks annual leave (pro-rata for part time employees) Paid parental leave (for eligible employees) - giving you the opportunity for true Worklife balance Salary packaging options - up to $11,600 plus novated leasing Fitness Passport for health and well-being - discounted gym options for you and your family Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for staff and family members Additional Information An eligibility list will be created for future temporary part time vacancies. To be eligible for employment in this position you must be an Australian Citizen, or permanent resident of Australia, or a New Zealand citizen with a current New Zealand Passport, or hold an appropriate visa that allows you to live and work in Australia. Employment of a temporary visa holder will only be offered in line with the conditions and expiry date of your visa. We are unable to accommodate visa sponsorship for applicants requiring a visa for this position. Hunter New England Health is dedicated to fostering a child-safe environment that respects and upholds the rights of children and young people, aligned with NSW Health’s commitment to implementing the Child Safe Standards. We aim to ensure that children and young people feel safe, supported, and included in their care. All current and prospective staff are expected to prioritise the safety, welfare, and well-being of children and young people, actively working to protect them from harm and abuse. Need more information? Click here for the Position Description Find out more about applying for this position For role related queries or questions contact Emma Lindsay on emma.lindsay2@health.nsw.gov.au | Information For Applicants Applicants will be assessed against the essential requirements and selection criteria contained within the position description (link below). For assistance addressing selection criteria visit: https://bit.ly/3vL5fq2 Stepping Up Website is a resource designed to help indigenous job applicants apply for positions in NSW Health. For more information, please visit: https://bit.ly/HNEHealthSteppingUp This is a Category A position. Recommended applicants will be reviewed for compliance with NSW Health policy directive PD2024_015: Occupational Assessment, Screening and Vaccination against Specified Infectious Diseases for Category A positions prior to offer. All new employees must agree to comply with the requirements outlined in the policy. Salary Packaging: is beneficial to most Hunter New England Health employees and may increase your take-home pay! Salary package a range of personal expenses including novated motor vehicle leases, relocation expenses, and HECS/HELP debt. Find out more by contacting SalaryPackagingPLUS! via nswhealth@salarypackagingplus.com.au or 1300 40 25 23. At Hunter New England Local Health District, we are an inclusive employer dedicated to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and welcoming workplace. Our commitment to a workforce that reflects the community we care for is essential for delivering the highest quality healthcare to our community. We encourage people with diverse lived experiences to apply. If you require any accommodations or adjustments to the recruitment process please let us know when you apply or at any stage of the process. We will work with you to meet your needs and create the best possible experience. Please contact HNELHD-Diversity@health.nsw.gov.au for confidential support. Connect with us on Facebook and LinkedIn! Before we jump into the responsibilities of the role. No matter what you come in knowing, you’ll be learning new things all the time and the Hunter New England Local Health District team will be there to support your growth. Please consider applying even if you don't meet 100% of what’s outlined Key Responsibilities Completing assessments Determining services Facilitating referrals Key Strengths ️ Verbal communication ✍️ Written communication Interpersonal skills Innovative thinking Team collaboration Cultural competence A Final Note: This is a role with Hunter New England Local Health District not with Hatch.