AOD Nurse – Admissions

Honesty     Trust      Respect     Concern      Love   

AOD Nurse - Admissions 

• Full-Time, Fixed Term (2 years) 

• Based in Richmond 

• $54.381 per hour plus super.     

• 17.5% annual leave loading and generous salary packaging options    

• Standalone role 

• Progressive Workplace Flexibility options that enable genuine work life balance   

About Odyssey Victoria:  

Odyssey Victoria (OV) is a place of hope and positive change for individuals working towards breaking their pattern of addiction. At Odyssey Victoria we believe that every person should have the opportunity to change and grow. Our diverse teams work with individuals, families, and communities to reduce alcohol and other drug (AOD) use, improve mental health, and reconnect people to their family and the community. OV is a dynamic and fast-growing organisation committed to excellence in service provision and innovation in responding to alcohol and other drugs use problems.

Role Purpose:   

This nursing role sits within a multidisciplinary team and works with people in the preadmission stage of the residential treatment program, supporting their access to residential rehabilitation treatment in our Therapeutic Communities.

The nursing role within the admissions program primarily:

• reviews and further assesses clients physical and mental health conditions and treatments to better inform the admissions team and residential programs of the client’s needs.

• assesses and assists to navigate access a suitable substance withdrawal option that best suits the clients’ needs prior to residential rehabilitation admission.

• assess the client’s nicotine dependence and NRT requirements moving into a smoke and vape free environment.

• provides nursing assessment regarding withdrawal and/or intoxication of substances, including Urine Drug Screening and breathalyser testing.

• Liaises with nurses at the residential rehabilitation programs and the Community AOD nursing program to meet the needs of the client.

Key areas of focus:   

• Participate in information sessions (providing specific information about the residential facility including processes and expectations of living in the facility).

• Follow up with clients (calling clients to request they attend appointments/information sessions).

• Check in with clients (noting clients current drug use, medical concerns, medication, and legal status).

• Provide clients with psychoeducation regarding safety/harm reduction whilst living in the wider community.

• Discuss and assess psycho-social factors noting any risk factors and liaising with admission team regarding an immediate concern.

• Participate in appointments with clients (clarifying client information).

• Provide information regarding the residential facility and answering client queries or concerns.

• Communicate referral process to the client and answer client queries in regard to their assessments.

• Provide admission paperwork prior to the client attending detox.

• Admit clients through processes of documentation/legal paperwork.

• Represent the organisation and its clients as required including program liaison, network meetings and court advocacy.

• Formulate assessments (noting relevant information, particularly any current risks factors or concerns).

• Document communication with clients (via appointments or phone conversations).

• Assess and support clients to access a withdrawal option that best suits their needs.

• Assess the client’s nicotine dependence and NRT requirements moving into a smoke and vape-free environment.

• Bring nursing knowledge and experience to support non-nursing admissions team members to assess the client’s medical and psychiatric complexities and needs.

To be successful in this role, you must…  

1. Unconditional and current Div 1 or 2 Nursing registration with AHPRA.

1. Work within NMBA and AHPRA nursing code of conduct, practice standards and ethics.

1. Cert IV or Diploma in Alcohol or Other Drugs and/or a degree in Health, Mental Health, or Allied Health with a minimum of the AOD Skill Set for Health Professionals (or commitment to obtain one of these within 6 or 12 months of employment).* (Refer Appendix A)

1. Satisfactory outcome of a confidential Police Check and Working with Children Check. OV is committed to child safety and is a child safe organisation.

1. Empathy and ability to engage and work with people who have alcohol and other drug use and complicating physical and/or mental health conditions.

1. Possession of a current Victorian Driver’s License.

1. Information technology skills, including proficiency in Microsoft Office suite.

1. Eligibility to work in Australia.

1. May be required to work at other OV or partner locations.

For a copy of the position description which outlines the full list of responsibilities and key selection criteria, please click HERE (http://odyssey.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/POSTC5019-AOD-Nurse-Admissions.pdf)

*Appendix A (AOD Competencies)  

OV requires people in clinical positions to have the following competencies (or their equivalent). Where people do not already have these competencies, OV will invest in the person’s professional development by providing them through its RTO.

The competencies required in the first 12 months of employment are:

• CHCAOD001 - Work in an alcohol and other drugs context

• CHCAOD004 - Assess needs of clients with alcohol and other drugs issues.

• CHCAOD006 - Provide interventions for people with alcohol and other drugs issues.

• CHCAOD009 - Develop and review individual alcohol and other drugs treatment plans

What we can give YOU!   

In return we are committed to offering you an inclusive and transparent workplace culture where our people can develop to be their very best by:

• Ongoing learning and development opportunities

• Providing work that is meaningful and challenging

• Providing career pathways across diverse OV programs.

• Access to 24/7 counselling through our Employee Assistance Provider (EAP)

• Generous leave options such as 48/52 Purchase Leave and Study Leave

• Flexible working arrangements such as monthly RDO’s for full-timers (arrangements will vary based on role requirements).

In addition to the above, staff will also be provided monthly Clinical Supervision sessions for professional development and personal wellbeing.

Application information   

Please apply directly via our careers website (applications via external recruitment websites or via email will not be considered)

Applications should be addressed to Rosario Campione and include your CV and a cover letter addressing the key selection criteria.

If you have any questions relating to the position, please contact Rosario Campione Manager - Admissions on, rcampione@odyssey.org.au.

We will be assessing applications on a rolling basis, and suitable candidates will be shortlisted immediately. This role will be open for one week and close once a suitable candidate has been selected, which may be prior to the application deadline, so please don’t wait to apply!

Our commitment to diversity   

At OV we value diversity and believe that a range of backgrounds brings a variety of ideas, perspectives and experiences that will enhance our effectiveness. We promote a workplace that actively seeks to include, welcome and value unique contributions by encouraging people with disability, Aboriginal Australians, LGBTQIA, young people and people from culturally diverse backgrounds to apply for this position.

Safety screening   

OV is committed to child safety and is a child safe organisation. All OV employees must undergo Police Records and Working with Children Checks. Any person issued with a negative notice on their Working with Children Check will not be eligible for employment with us.

All Odyssey Victoria sites are smoke free for all employees