About the Position

The "Public Intoxication Response (PIR) service" plays a crucial role in addressing the health and wellbeing needs of individuals who are intoxicated in the Greater Bendigo/Castlemaine areas, aligning with the recent decriminalisation of public intoxication by the Victorian Government.

The core function of the PIR team is to provide an outreach-based response to individuals in need. This response includes conducting thorough health assessments, offering safe transportation to an appropriate location, monitoring the health and overall well-being of the individuals, and delivering follow-up care as needed. In essence, the PIR service operates as a critical lifeline for those who are intoxicated, ensuring their safety and well-being while also contributing to a more compassionate and health-focused approach in the context of public intoxication.

The AOD Nurse will bring clinical expertise, cultural awareness, and a client-centred approach to the Public Intoxication Response (PIR) service, supporting Community members in the Greater Bendigo and Castlemaine areas who are affected by alcohol and other drugs. In line with the Victorian Government’s health-focused approach to public intoxication, the AOD Nurse will play a key role in driving high-quality care within the PIR space, conducting comprehensive health assessments, delivering harm minimisation strategies, monitoring health status, and coordinating follow-up care. This role will actively guide and influence care pathways, ensuring that individuals receive safe transport to appropriate environments, timely medical attention, and culturally safe support. Working closely with the PIR team and broader health networks, the AOD Nurse will help shape a compassionate, responsive, and effective service that improves outcomes, strengthens trust, and enhances the overall wellbeing of Community members

Key Responsibilities

The Public Intoxication Response (PIR) Community Health Responder will have the following responsibilities:

•  On-Call Outreach: Participate in the PIR on-call roster, responding promptly to referrals from Centralised Intake. Conduct comprehensive AOD and medical assessments, provide immediate clinical interventions, and initiate appropriate care pathways in alignment with harm minimisation principles.
• Specialist AOD Care: Utilise advanced clinical skills to assess, manage, and monitor individuals affected by alcohol and other drugs. Deliver culturally safe, evidence-based interventions that address both immediate health needs and longer-term recovery goals.
•  Assertive Outreach: Work proactively within the PIR team to identify and engage with individuals at risk in the Greater Bendigo/Castlemaine areas. Apply a hands-on, empathetic approach to build rapport, reduce harm, and support access to appropriate services.
• Integration with BDAC Medical Clinic: When not attending to clients in the field, the Community Health Responder will support the BDAC medical clinic by delivering nursing services to Community members.
• Care Coordination & Advocacy: Actively coordinate care for clients across health and community services. Advocate for the rights, dignity, and health needs of individuals, ensuring equitable access to culturally safe and appropriate care.
• Guidelines and Procedures: Operating under the guidance of the Program Manager, the Community Health Responder adheres to all reporting requirements, guidelines, and standards. This ensures that the efforts align with established protocols, promoting consistency, and quality in service delivery.
• Stakeholder & Community Relationships: Develop and maintain strong working relationships with emergency services, health providers, community organisations, and other key stakeholders. Represent the PIR service in professional networks to strengthen referral pathways and collaborative responses.