|
DRINK & DRUGS NEWS :: Q&AYou ask the questions - you answer the questions. Please keep your answers coming, and feel free to email a new question. Thanks to this issue's respondents for their contributions. Question:How do people without 'formal' drugs work experience gain a
chance of being employed in substance misuse services, despite having
ten years personal experience with a user who is a close family
member and having a Level Two NCFE Certificate in Drug Awareness
Studies? [Maria, by email] Your replies...Hello Maria, I work as a lecturer in mental health nursing at Bell College in Dumfries in Scotland on the pre-registration course. Drug and alcohol use/misuse is key to many issues covered within the course, both in theory and practice placements. People who enter the pre-registration course with experience of working with dependency - either formally or as in your case, informally - bring a valuable contribution and experience with them. On qualification, many mental health nurses work with people who have substance misuse problems. Many clinical areas have contact with people who use drugs and alcohol or indeed have other dependency issues, and it is an area that some mental health nurses choose to specialise in. The course itself is three years long and is demanding with regards to assessments, both in theory and practice. The clinical placements are varied, but each offers a wealth of experience within the context of their purpose. Not all are linked with dependency and no guarantees are given with regards to employment at the end. Nursing colleges and schools usually offer a non-means tested bursary and many offer degree pathways as well as registration to the Nursing and Midwifery Council. Entrance qualifications are usually five O' levels /grades/standard grades (or equivalent) at grade C/3 or above. (This includes entrance to the universities!) Many students in mental health are mature - the oldest I have come across was 54 years old - and the starting age is usually 17 years old, depending on the institution where you study. For advice look up your local university or nursing college and they will explain in greater depth and detail. For advice and information visit our website www.bell.ac.uk or call +44 (0) 1698 283100 Joe Brown, Dumfries
Maria, My first suggestion would be to take a Certificate in Counselling Skills. These courses are inexpensive, run over about 30 evenings in one year and are widely available in local colleges (with additional financial/learning support available as required). Anyone interested in listening to and supporting clients with an addiction or any other issue would enjoy the course and would not find the workload a burden. It is a good place to start and discover whether a role as a professional listener is for you. Secondly, you say you have ten years' experience with a close member of the family as a drug user. This can be a very distressing experience for family members. It is important you have had the opportunity to resolve any painful emotions in a support group or personal counselling or therapy. This ensures you can comfortably empathise with clients who may have recently used substances. There is no shortcut to gaining drugs work experience before being employed by 'substance misuse services'. The field is as competitive as the work is satisfying. All the people I have met as paid workers in agencies, however well-qualified, started as unpaid volunteers. I would recommend joining a local agency with good training, support and supervision for volunteers. This will provide you with a good knowledge and skills base and provide an invaluable reference to help gain your first post, as well as the confidence to do so. Personally I believe it is best for addiction workers to ultimately become qualified counsellors. A counselling diploma enables a professional to be self-aware, adhere to ethics and boundaries and to have the solid skills base needed to support and promote change amongst the client group. Good luck. I have found addiction clients in general to be sensitive and creative and the psychology of change in addiction is a very exciting therapeutic area. Annette Catherine, by email
Hello Maria, I have a personal history of heroin addiction for 13 years, I have a diploma in counselling, a certificate in youth work, I train professionals in self-harming - and I have difficulties gaining a full-time post. I think that personal experience and qualifications do go a long way. Just keep looking and I'm sure something will come up. Is there a Turning Point drug and alcohol centre where you live? They are very empathic towards people who have experienced life. I gained a casual support post in Chester, which I hope will be of value when I find the right job for me. But be aware that organisations do stigmatise substance misusers, and if you have a criminal record for drug offences this can also bring judgement, even if the conviction is spent. Good luck, Clare, by email
|
|
