Job Title: Senior Addiction Practitioner

Salary: Social Care Worker Salary Scale 2020 (43,479)

Hours: 35 hours per week – Monday to Friday with the potential for ad-hoc weekend work / out-of-hours work

Reports to: Clinical Services Manager

Responsible for: Supporting the Delivery and Daily Management of Frontline’s Addiction Service Prioritising Service Access, Engagement, and Case Management of people struggling with problematic alcohol use in Dublin 8, 10, 12, and surrounding areas

Location: 135 Emmet Road / Old Nass Industrial Park - The role, duties, and location are liable to change in line with the need and/or expansion or services. Location rotation is the norm

Job Description

This is a key role for Frontline Make Change, and the successful candidate will work across the addiction brief of the organisation in all directorates. In particular, the role will:

• Prioritise managing and directing the ‘identify and engage’ priority to maximise the reach of Frontline’s addiction service and access to formal case management and treatment
• Ensure that the health-led approach is implemented in line with the National Drugs Strategy and that Sláintecare and organisational benefits are optimised i.e., referral to Community Health Networks, Primary Care teams etc
• Maintaining and developing working relationships throughout the community to primarily ensure early and easy access to Frontline’s addiction service

The role will be necessarily fluid, and developmental, and will have to adapt to the inevitable changes and needs of the organisation and the needs of the service. The Senior Addiction Practitioner will carry a caseload and a mix of frontline responsibilities which will be directed by the Clinical Services Manager.

The key work areas for this role are as follows:

• Implement the priority of getting people into the service
• Lead on the development and implementation of the ‘Identify & Engage’ programme of work to ensure a consistent and regular inward flow of people with problematic substance use meeting needs in the area
• Work with healthcare and social care providers in the area to maximise referrals to Frontline’s service
• Ensure that people accessing the service are allocated an addiction practitioner and are engaged in 1-1 support and/or case management
• Implement and monitor all care plans and sustain engagement of service users
• Ensure continuity of service user engagement at all times

Leadership and management:

• Act as a daily point of contact for client work, participate in and lead, where necessary, operational decisions relating to clients
• Day-to-day management of the team, including 1-1 support and line management, monitoring stats and HRB’s, managing petty cash, and other general senior admin duties
• Ensure that staff have a clear understanding of performance expectations, that they are properly trained, and that they have the tools they need to perform at high levels of productivity
• Internal and external reporting
• Engagement with and representation on local committees and structures
• Stay current on internal work processes, policies, and procedures

The senior addiction practitioner’s role, duties, and location are liable to change in line with the need and/or expansion or services. 

Skills and Experience Required

Education and Professional Qualifications:

Essential

• Degree in Social Care or relevant
• Professional Qualification in Addiction
• Post-Qualifying Training in Drug and/or Alcohol Treatment

Desirable

• Addiction and Social Inclusion Specialisation
• 3 years of post-qualification experience
• CRA accredited and trained in SMART, MI, CBT

Clinical Experience

Essential

• Leadership qualities with experience in a range of clinical issues (within an addiction agency/service provider setting)
• 3+ years’ experience managing a caseload of intensive support (preferably within an agency setting)
• Experience working with individuals with addiction issues in a range of settings including group work

Desirable

• An understanding of different clinical evidence-based models and approaches to recovery and how they may impact positively the work at Frontline Make Change
• Experience working with a team of addiction practitioners in a range of settings including group work
• Experience working in a fast-paced environment ensuring good individual and team clinical standards

Clinical Governance and Risk Management

Essential

• Experience in clinical governance/risk management
• Experience in producing, implementing, and complying with policies and procedures
• Experience in data management including producing and writing reports

Desirable

• Experience in maintaining professional clinical standards in line with the requirements of relevant regulatory bodies
• Experience in dealing with high-risk personal and governance issues

Leadership and Management

Essential

• Experience in leadership and management in a clinical setting – daily management, prioritising tasks, allocation of work, rosters etc
• Good human resources skills and ability to be a problem solver and solution-focused thinker
• Excellent communication skills both verbal and written

Desirable

• Experience working with a team of addiction practitioners and sessional workers in an agency setting
• Experience of working within the statutory and/or voluntary sector
• Experience or knowledge in staff supervision and a degree or diploma in leadership or similar
• Experience in managing relationships with Community, Voluntary, and Statutory reps

Application Process

Application is by way of CV emailed to corrine@frontlinemc.ie and the closing date is 12pm Friday 8th August 2025. Interviews will take place shortly after .