THE ROLE

The Student Counsellor is a key role within the Wellbeing and Counselling Services in providing assessment and interventions at an individual, group and broader organisational level. The primary aim of the professional counselling provided is to facilitate the personal, emotional, social and educational transition and adjustment of students. The counselling has an emphasis on brief outcome-informed interventions, rather than long term psychotherapy and offers an Employee Assistance Program for staff who can access the service for psychological consultation, short-term therapy and ongoing referral as necessary.

Related responsibilities include working with the families of students seeking counselling, working with academic advisors and academic staff to ensure early detection of psychological problems or learning disabilities, working with the University’s medical services provider concerning health seminars. The Student Counsellor is required to provide secondary and tertiary consultation to RMIT staff in connection with students’ issues.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide assessment, case-management and counselling of RMIT Vietnam students and staff some of whom present with high risk issues.
• Provide counselling services to students and their families, and support the Manager, Wellbeing and Counselling Services in the provision of such services. This includes providing individual counselling, group programs, family sessions, and seminars. Individual counselling will be provided on an appointment or drop-in basis for students requiring assistance.
• Facilitate the academic adjustment of students and assist students to negotiate RMIT Vietnam’s policies and procedures.
• Provide crisis intervention counselling and secondary consultation of students and staff affected by incidents involving students.
• Identify and support “at-risk” students and students with learning difficulties through developing, implementing and monitoring supportive learning programs in conjunction with relevant RMIT staff, and refer students for specialised assistance as appropriate.
• Liaise with and provide consultancy services to teaching, administrative and support staff regarding student mental health issues and initiatives.
• Participate in professional supervision and professional development including regular supervision and case management discussions with the Manager Wellbeing and Counselling Services.
• Assist in the collection of relevant data pertaining to the counselling services and maintenance of the counselling services database.
• Assist in continuous improvement and other counselling services research and development, quality assurance processes and client outcome research, relevant policy review and development.
• Promote counselling services by actively participating in University programs and activities including Orientation Day, health seminars, club activities, and community programs.
• Develop and maintain relationships with a referral list of mental health service providers in the region.
• Create, maintain and regularly update counselling files.

KEY SELECTION CRITERIA

• Masters Degree in Psychology or Counselling
• Membership/eligibility for membership with respective professional Psychological or Counselling Association is desirable.
• At least five years of experience in in assessing and providing individual counselling to diverse range of client groups, preferably in an academic context.
• Experience in brief counselling approaches, such as cognitive-behaviour therapy, psychodynamic therapy, interpersonal psychotherapy, solution focussed therapy, family therapy is desirable.
• Strong assessment, intervention and referral skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and cross-cultural skills to complement formal training in counselling or psychology.
• Ability to deal with specific concerns of various groups of students, such as ESL and international students, part-time and/or mature aged students, students with serious mental health problems, students with disabilities, and rural students.
• Demonstrated capacity to develop, implement, manage and evaluate projects and programs, including student and staff group programs relating to psychological issues.
• Ability to conceptualise and undertake research relating to counselling issues.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate with people at all levels and areas of the University, including students, academic staff, and management, as well as people in the wider community including, family members, psychiatrists, doctors, specialists.
• Excellent communication, liaison and presentation skills including verbal and written skills in Vietnamese and English.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and flexibly, cooperatively and productively in a diverse team environment.
• Acute attention to detail, accuracy, and confidentiality when managing information.
• Computer Skills (e.g. Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and Power Point, SPSS).

BENEFITS

• Unique opportunity to work within a multi-lingual, multi-cultural environment with creative and innovative committed colleagues.
• Attractive and competitive remuneration
• Relocation from home country to Vietnam
• Private premium medical insurance
• 20 days annual leave, 10 days sick leave per annum
• Education fee support for staff dependents after a qualifying period
• Support with visa and work permit application

TO FIND OUT MORE

For further information about this role, please click on the Job Description document below.

Wellbeing_Student Counsellor_2019 Jan_PSV7.docx

NEW Information Pack - Foreign Candidates - Professional 2018.pdf

ENGLISH PROFICIENCY REQUIREMENTS

If English is not your native language then you will be required to demonstrate a minimum English language proficiency standard at a BULATS Advanced level (BULATS score 75), equivalent to IELTS (General) 6.5. RMIT Vietnam will require you to complete a BULATS test to assess your level of English before an offer of employment can be made.

HOW TO APPLY

Click on the ‘Apply Now’ link. Applications close on 10 February 2018