Is There A Career Pathway For The Addictions Workforce?

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By May 20, 2015 No Comments

Authors: Karla Bergquist and Jenny Boyle, New Zealand

Year: 2005

Event: 2005 TheMHS Conference

Subject: Workforce Development

Type of resource: Conference Presentations and Papers

ISBN: 0975765310

Abstract: In 2001 Practitioner Competencies were developed for Alcohol and Drug Workers in Aotearoa – New Zealand. The purpose was to provide a means towards establishing a more credible, professional workforce and to enhance the quality of services. It was also intended to encourage cohesion in the sector, support performance management and aid recruitment. Consequently Registration Criteria based on the Practitioner Competencies have been developed. This has been used to define the level of qualification required for eligibility for Practitioner Registration. This initiative has been widely supported in the AOD sector by workers and employers as a positive step in the development of the workforce. However, questions remain about the significant non-clinical workforce who may have entered their roles through their lived experience of addiction and may not have any formal qualifications. How can their contribution be acknowledged and supported? This paper considers career pathways in the addictions sector that compliment the continuum of service provision. It describes training and development activity that uses the Competency Framework and is readily accessible for smaller organisations and workers who do not necessarily aspire to a post graduate level qualification.

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