Belinda Volkov

• Hire and trained newly hired employees so that each understood job responsibilities and requirements of positions.
• Mentored staff members through professional development opportunities, fostering a culture of continuous learning and growth.
• Cultivated a positive culture of clinical safety that supported employee engagement, teamwork, open communication, ethical behaviour, accountability.
• Representative of SDECC on an number of committees both local and state wide. This included NADA Practice Leadership Group (NPLG), NADA Advocacy committee
• Developed, implemented, revised, and evaluated policies and procedures.
• Directed crisis intervention services when necessary; provided support during critical incidents, and ensured the well-being of all involved parties.
• Collaborated with physicians and other healthcare professionals to develop comprehensive patient treatment plans.
• Recruited hired, and trained high-quality clinicians who contributed positively to the clinic''s mission and vision.
• Implemented new policies and educated staff on changes.
• Led interdisciplinary teams to integrate innovative treatment modalities, elevating client outcomes.
• Directed clinical research projects to explore innovative treatment options, contributing to advancement of knowledge and evidence based best practice.
• Capacity building in the sector broadly to reduce stigma and barriers to AOD and MH treatment.
• ·Maintain SDECC's clinical quality including clinical policies, frameworks and guidelines, and ensure all guidelines reflect emerging knowledge in the sector.
• Over see all relevant clinical policies and frameworks and ensure that all staff have a current understanding of their implementation.
• Ensure that all aspects of SDECC's clinical work, including group work, are aligned to the model and best practice knowledge, and that all staff attend clinical supervision and training to support their development.
• ·Advise the CEO on opportunities to broaden the scope and efficacy of SDECC service delivery, with a particular emphasis on innovation.
• ·Work with the Clinical Team Leaders to identify skill and training gaps in the teams and to support the ongoing professional development of clinicians.
• Ensure that SDECC's internal knowledge of alcohol and other drug interventions, and current drug trends in the community, are current.
• Ensure that case review continues to be relevant and aligned to the model to support staff to build their skills.
• ·Support the teams in collaboration with the team leaders with working through particularly complex case presentations, care,oversee clinical governance activities and help to drive a culture of continuous quality improvement.
• Manage small case load

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• Provide clients with a high standard of therapeutic interventions in line with SDECC’s Clinical Guidelines
• Maintain a client caseload equivalent to an average of 3 client sessions per seven hour working day
• Conduct individual and family counselling sessions, including ongoing re-assessment of clients’ needs, administration of appointments and recording of case notes
• Conduct Paving Ways parents’ and carers’ groups as scheduled
• Regularly present clients at Case Reviews and seek the input of other members of the clinical team
• Advocate with external agencies for clients’ needs to be met when required
• Arrange and conduct client case conferences involving other support services as required
• Develop and maintain up-to-date knowledge regarding evidence-based best practice in drug & alcohol and mental health treatment interventions, family-inclusive practice and trauma-informed practice
• Develop and maintain up-to-date knowledge regarding evidence-based best practice in drug & alcohol treatment interventions focusing on harm minimisation practices, with particular regard for the harms associated with emerging illicit substances
• Actively participate in the development and collection of outcome evaluation measures
• Report on the NSW Minimum Data Set
• Maintain confidential client treatment files
• Attend monthly external clinical supervision
• Provide services in a respectful, non-discriminatory, sensitive and culturally appropriate manner

• Mentored new clinical staff members for proper onboarding and orientation processes.

Clinical Counselling Role

• Fostered a supportive environment by leading team-building exercises among counsellors, enhancing communication and collaboration skills.

· Provide high level clinical advice to the CEO

· Develop and maintain up-to-date knowledge regarding evidence based best practice in drug & alcohol treatment interventions

· Provide mentoring and supervision for the clinical team

· Ensure clinical practice at MDECC is evidence based and best practise

· Coordinate and contribute to weekly internal supervision

· Management of the service in the absence of the CEO

· Coordinate the client intake system, including allocations of clients and any waitlists procedures

· Provide telephone assessment, crisis intervention, referral, intake data collection as required

· Conduct initial assessments, ongoing counselling sessions, and referrals as necessary

· Actively participate in the development and collection of outcome evaluation measures within the Counselling/Treatment Program

Subjects taught:

CHCMH301B Work effectively in mental health

CHCAOD402A Work effectively in the alcohol and other drugs sector

CHCAOD201D Prepare for alcohol and other drugs work

CHCMH409A Facilitate consumer, family and carer participation in the

Recovery process

CHCCS512A Assess and respond to individuals at risk of suicide

CHCCS504A Provide Service to clients with complex needs

HLTHIR403C Work effectively with culturally diverse clients and co-workers

• Conducted substance abuse assessments and screenings to accurately identify client needs and appropriate levels of care required.
• Expanded community outreach efforts, resulting in increased awareness of available substance abuse resources and prevention initiatives.
• Promoted a safe therapeutic environment that fostered trust between clients and counsellors by setting clear boundaries and expectations.
• Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to develop holistic treatment plans addressing the unique needs of each client.
• Navigated complex documentation requirements while maintaining strict confidentiality standards as mandated by state regulations and ethical guidelines.
• Increased public awareness of substance abuse issues through presentations at local schools, businesses, and community events.
• Ensured compliance with federal, state, and local regulations governing addiction counselling practices through meticulous record-keeping procedures.
• Strengthened the facility''s reputation in the community through exceptional client care and collaboration with local healthcare providers and support services.
• Connected clients with relevant social services agencies for housing assistance, employment support, or additional mental health services when needed.
• Continuously updated professional knowledge by attending conferences, completing continuing education courses, and participating in industry-related workshops to enhance service delivery outcomes.
• Assisted families in understanding addiction-related issues, fostering supportive environments during the recovery process.
• Supported and assessed clients struggling with addiction or relationship issues and devised strategies based on client needs.
• Developed individual treatment goals based on history and diagnosis.
• Facilitated group and individual therapy in outpatient setting.
• Kept accurate and detailed records to track and document client progress.
• Provided crisis intervention to address clients' immediate needs and prevent harmful behaviours.
• Provided counselling and support to clients with drug and alcohol abuse issues.
• Displayed sensitivity to cultural and linguistic needs of clients and families served.
• Facilitated group therapy sessions for diverse clientele, promoting peer support and healthy coping mechanisms.
• Established strong rapport with clients from diverse backgrounds and demographics, fostering an atmosphere of trust for open communication during counseling sessions.
• Enhanced communication with medical professionals to ensure comprehensive care for clients with co-occurring disorders.
• Reduced relapse occurrences for clients through consistent follow-up appointments and support group referrals.
• Promoted a safe therapeutic environment that fostered trust between clients and counselors by setting clear boundaries and expectations.

• Coordinate the development of Drug and Alcohol Intervention Programs based on identified needs, and evidence based best practice.
• Develop working groups to assist in program/project development.
• Coordinate and develop appropriate resources for Intervention Programs.
• Ensure program development includes process and outcome evaluation measures.
• Provide telephone information/education, assessment for program participation, referral, and intake data collection as required.
• Maintain confidential program files.
• Attend monthly mentor/clinical supervision.
• Develop and maintain up-to-date knowledge regarding education/health promotion, and evidence based best practice in drug and alcohol treatment interventions