Senior SAOR Screening and Brief Intervention Practitioner

Job Title:

Senior SAOR Screening and Brief Intervention Practitioner

Details of Service

The SAOR Practitoner will be based in the HSE South Dublin \& Wicklow Region area.

Funded under the Health Referral Scheme, the SAOR Practitioner will deliver the SAOR screening and brief intervention and make onward referrals as necessary, specific to the Health Referral Scheme. The CH06 area covers Wicklow LHO, Dun Laoghaire LHO AND Dublin South\-East.

The Health Referral Scheme is a health\-led response for people who are found in possession of drugs for personal use for the first time. Under the scheme, individuals may be offered the opportunity for a brief intervention with the SAOR Practitioner.

SAOR (Support, Ask and Assess, Offer Assistance, Refer) is a brief intervention model which uses a person\-centred approach based on Motivational Interviewing to have a helpful conversation with a person about their alcohol or substance use.

The SAOR Practitioner will provide KPI data to Coolmine monthly and to the HSE on a monthly basis.

SAOR Training

SAOR Training will be provided as part of the role subject to the successful candidate meeting other role entry requirements detailed below.

Reports to:

Coolmine Service Manager

Hours:

35 hours per week. Some out of hours work required. Travel within the CH06 will be required depending on referrals

Job Type: 12\-month Fixed Term

Salary: €43,799 \- €48,455 per annum

Purpose:

· This post is to support the Health Referral Scheme on behalf of the HSE.

· This role includes the delivery of brief interventions (both online and in\-person), scheduling of appointments using an online based calendar system, using an online case management system and return of data via the NDTRS.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

General Responsibilities:

· In line with the Standard Operating Procedure:

· The post holder will provide SAOR Brief Intervention for referrals received through the Health Referral Scheme.

· The post holder will provide SAOR brief Interventions online and may provide in person.

· The post holder will make facilitate those with more complex needs with access to specialist treatment services

· The post holder will manage their own appointment schedule and appointments via the Swiftqueue platform, incorporating Attend Anywhere for the delivery of online interventions.

· The post holder will use the Socrates case management system for the recording of intervention data

· The post holder will complete an NDTRS record as appropriate

· The post holder will provide reports on referral outcomes as appropriate.

· Implement service plan objectives in the CH06 as outlined by HSE ch06 and Coolmine

· Ensure the efficient management and administration of the service

· Solve problems and ensure decisions are in line with local and national agreements

· Ensure deadlines are met and that service levels are maintained and meeting agreed KPI’s.

· Ensure that records are accurate and maintained confidentially in line with Coolmine Policies.

· Ensure that stakeholders are kept informed and that their views are communicated to management.

· Seek feedback from service users and implement change to incorporate same, in agreement with Line Manager.

· To work with the Regional Service Manager and key stakeholders to ensure that all aspects of health \& safety regulations are adhered to.

· Perform as a full team member supporting colleagues, participating in effective team meetings, attending supervision, and client case reviews and being open to reasonable requests from manager in order to ensure effective working relationships.

· Work within the policies of Coolmine Therapeutic Community in order to ensure that a consistent delivery of service, quality standards and best practice are adhered to at all times.

· Be accountable for overseeing the implementation of and adherence to HSE’s Children First protocols, and any other such protocol or legislation determined to protect vulnerable Service Users and or their families.

· Participate in service evaluation and review and ensure all relevant documentation, filing, statistics and paperwork are in line with the aims and standards of the project and comply with Coolmine Policies

· Operate and maintain the highest professional and personal boundaries appropriate to this post

· Engage in Coolmine’s performance management process in conjunction with your Line Manager and staff as appropriate including engaging with continuous professional development.

Management and Supervision of Staff

· As this role develops, you may be expected to manage the performance of any staff assigned to the project.

Contact Email: hr@coolminetc.ie

Application Ref. CTC/HR/DUB/SDL/SAORC/0926

Coolmine Therapeutic Community

Coolmine is a leading drug and alcohol treatment service providing community, day and residential services to men and women with problematic substance use and their families in Ireland established since 1973\. Coolmine Therapeutic Community believes that everyone should have the opportunity to overcome addiction and lead a fulfilled and productive life.

The successful candidates will report to the Regional manager in Coolmine and HSE CH06

to provide quality service to clients and stakeholders in accordance with the SAOR model which has been adopted by the HSE as the model\-of\-choice for delivering brief interventions for alcohol and substance use.

SAOR health Referral Scheme

The Health Referral Scheme was launched on September 1st giving eligible people found in possession of drugs for personal use the opportunity to engage with health services instead of facing an immediate criminal justice response.

The Health Referral Scheme will allow An Garda Síochána to refer eligible first\-time offenders to appropriate health supports where the offence relates to possession of drugs for personal use. The approach is intended to encourage early engagement with services, provide practical advice and reduce the potential long\-term impact of a first personal possession. For more information on the Health Referral Scheme, please visit www.gov.ie/HealthReferral

The SAOR Screening and Brief Intervention for Problem Alcohol and Substance Use (2017, 2nd edition) is a programme developed and implemented by the HSE. SAOR is a screening and brief intervention model which uses a person\-centred approach based on Motivational Interviewing to have a conversation with a person about their drug or alcohol use and to refer those presenting with more complex needs to specialist services. SAOR can be the first step in the National Drugs Rehabilitation Framework (2010\).

This Job Description is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all duties involved and consequently, the post holder may be required to perform other duties as appropriate to the post which may be assigned to him/her from time to time and to contribute to the development of the post while in office.

Person Specification

Education

Essential:

• Third Level qualification in Addiction Studies, Addiction Counselling or related field, Minimum of level 7 Diploma QQI accredited

Desirable:

· Certified SAOR Practioner

Experience

Essential:

• Three years’ experience working within the drug and alcohol field.


• Experience of working directly with service users.


• Experience in handling multiple data management systems


• Experience of the implementation and evaluation of care planning and Case Management.


• Experience in providing statistics and reports.


• Full clean driving licence and willingness to drive as part of work.

Desireable:

· Experience delivering SAOR Brief Interventions.

· Experience in working in Multi\- disciplinary Teams

Knowledge \& Skills

• Has excellent communication and listening skills.


• Enjoys working with people, is approachable, and demonstrates warm and friendly mannerisms.


• Is clear and explicit about professional and personal boundaries.


• Strong interpersonal skills


• Clear written and verbal communication skills

· High IT literacy skills.

• Have a “can do” attitude and a positive solution focused approach to problem solving and conflict resolution.


• Uses assertive behaviour, demonstrating dignity and respect for self and others at all times.


• Capacity to work effectively under pressure


• Committed to meeting the needs of excluded and marginalised people.

· Successful candidate would be engaged in managing their schedule and appointments through Swiftqueue, training will be provided through the National SAOR Coordinator in the HSE

· Successful candidate would be engaged in recording case files on Socrates, training will be provided through the National SAOR Coordinator in the HSE

· Successful candidate would be engaged in recording the NDTRS forms, training will be provided through the National SAOR Coordinator in the HSE

· Open to working in an outreach capacity in appropriate services/locations

· Committed to follow up with allied health and social care services.

· Have capacity to attend to a considerable number of phone calls / emails and follow up.

Application Process:

Interested candidates who meet the Person Specification requirements should send their CV \& cover letter to Karl Mooney, Senior HR Business Partner on hr@coolminetc.ie

Please quote the application reference number CTC/HR/DUB/SDL/SAORC/0926

The closing date for applications is 15 October 2026.

*Coolmine Therapeutic Community is an equal opportunities employer**.*

*Please find our Candidate Privacy Notice \- https://www.coolmine.ie/candidate\-privacy\-notice/*

Pay: €43,799\.00\-€48,455\.00 per year

Benefits:

• Bike to work scheme


• Employee assistance program


• On\-site parking


• Sick pay


• Wellness program


• Work from home

Work Location: Hybrid remote in South Dublin, County Dublin

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