Dual Diagnosis Project Worker

JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Title: Dual Diagnosis Project Worker

Service: Open Access Service

Reports to: Clinical Nurse Manager

Contract: Contract of Indefinite Duration

Objective: To effectively deliver services about the treatment of addiction and coexisting Mental Health issues while the client is experiencing homelessness.

Location: Riverbank House Dublin 8

Who We Are

Merchants Quay Ireland is a national voluntary organisation who helps people who are Homeless and those caught in addiction. We provide frontline services practical supports pathways towards recovery and innovative responses to the issues of drug use and homelessness in Ireland.

Our Vision is one of an inclusive society where the integration and well-being of all is supported and everyone is treated with Dignity and Respect. Our Mission is to work as a collaborative community to reduce the harm caused by addiction and homelessness. We provide accessible high quality and effective services which meet the complex needs in a non judgemental and compassionate way.

• Open Access Service (OAS) What is it

MQI Open Access Service ( OAS) is a crisis day centre that provides a safe non judgmental space for individuals experiencing homelessness or struggling with addiction. This essentials offers hot meals showers clean clothing harm reduction (Needle Exchange) and crisis support

OAS is located in our Riverbank Building 13 14 Merchants Quay Dublin 8.

Service Delivery

• Provide a range of rehabilitation and after-care supports targeting service users including those exiting drug and/or alcohol treatment programmes psychiatric hospital care or exiting prison. To establish and develop links between services that ensure service users access the full range of care and treatment services to meet their needs.

• Provide education information advocacy and treatment support to service users

• Refer the client to the appropriate agencies I.e. mental health teams drug treatment services

• Assess the needs of service users and match their needs with the appropriate evidence based interventions and arrange input from other relevant agencies where necessary

• Have an individual integrated care plan which is based on a comprehensive assessment of their needs with appropriate treatment rehabilitation and recovery goals agreed upon with the service user. Ensure service users are case-managed and tracked as they move through the continuum of care.

• Formulate and implement a referral pathway and plan for those transitioning from the service

• Provide a range of therapies including brief interventions motivational interviewing relapse prevention cognitive behavioural therapy and any other therapies as appropriate

• Support service users who are engaging in a detoxification programme

• Work closely with community voluntary and statutory services to ensure that service users can access support about other needs i.e. housing employment education etc.

• Provide care and support that offer both a harm reduction and recovery ethos reflecting a person-centred approach to care

• Ensure regular service user reviews take place where appropriate with probation health services and any other agency the service user is engaged with

• Support service users through the process of regaining their capacity for daily life from the impact of problem drug/alcohol use mental health challenges and reintegrating into their communities.

• Responsible for working in partnership to maximise benefits that can be achieved for individuals by utilising wider resources and support networks that are available locally

Reporting

• Produce standard monthly and quarterly reports for the Clinical Nurse Manager and/or Head of Day Services in line with funding agencies requirements and compile any ad hoc information requests relating as required.

• Compile and report on complaints and compliments received as required

• Responsible for ensuring that statistics/data are kept always updated on the CRM system

• Responsible for maintaining a complete accurate and up-to-date record for each treatment episode on the HRB online web-based system

General Responsibilities

• Comply with all verification visits by funding agencies

• To support and participate in all audits and/or evaluations

• To comply with all requirements about all the appropriate paperwork for the service such as client files accident reports service user complaints minutes of meetings etc.

• To communicate effectively and to maintain appropriate accountability to the Clinical Nurse Manager

• Attend and participate in relevant committees as advised by the Clinical Nurse Manager

• In conjunction with the Clinical Nurse Manager to continuously develop the role to ensure that all aspects of the service are managed effectively and in line with service requirements

• To become familiar with and ensure that all MQIs policies and procedures are being adhered to particularly those relating to Health & Safety HR Confidentiality Boundaries and staff code of conduct etc.

• Compile and report on complaints and compliments received as required

• Undertake any other duties as assigned by the Clinical Nurse Manager

Qualifications & Experience

• Relevant qualification (minimum QQI Third Level 7 or equivalent) e.g. social care addiction community or youth work together with qualification/training in a mental health course Motivational Interviewing (MI) and/or Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) Relapse Prevention.

• Minimum of 1 years relevant employed work experience in addiction community development health & social care mental health services education or related fields including experience in crisis support key working and case management.

• Understand the current National Drugs Strategy Substance Misuse Strategy National Drug

  Rehabilitation Framework logic model reporting QUADS and/or Safer Better Healthcare (SBHC) Standards Sharing the Vision: A Mental Health Policy for Everyone and Mental Health Act 2001.

Benefits

Sick Pay Scheme (following the probationary period)

Minimum 23 days Annual Leave plus one Good Will Day

Defined Contribution Pension Scheme

Death In Service Benefit (from commencement of employment)

Learning and Development programme

Bike to Work Scheme

Paid Family Leave (Maternity Paternity Adoptive Force Majeure and Compassionate Leave)

Educational Assistance (Study and Examination Leave scholarship foundation)

Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)

The deadline for applications is 28th August 2026.