JOB SUMMARY

The Substance Abuse Counselors interact with clients on an as needed day-to-day basis providing individual and group counseling. The Substance Abuse Counselors provide clients with orientation, training, substance abuse recovery skills and information, and leadership necessary to provide them with the ability to recover from substance abuse addiction, and criminogenic behaviors.

 

RESPONSIBILITIES

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

• Works directly with the resident to:

a. provide orientation to the treatment program and the concept of sobriety and a crime free lifestyle,

b. Develop and implement treatment plans,

c. Provide counseling and recovery services, information and education, vocational training, and relapse prevention,

d. Develop community resources for continued community treatment, and,

• Develops a comprehensive treatment plan for each assigned resident and evaluates the progress of the individual residents according to the treatment plan.
• Maintains a caseload as prescribed by the Program Manager. Provides a variety of interventions including individual and group counseling, crisis intervention, collateral services, and other relevant sobriety-related services to clients.
• Documents, reviews, and charts client progress and completes all required paperwork, on time.
• Attends treatment meetings and provides input to treatment plan. Prepares treatment and discharge plans and discharge summaries.
• Designates new target goals for clients consistent with overall treatment goals.
• Initiates appropriate and timely interventions.
• Integrates the clinical concept with sound theoretical and practical applications of rehabilitative and individual group and milieu counseling principles.
• Provides input to develop and improve program servicing and delivery.
• Setting daily goals.
• Assures clients are informed of inappropriate behavior.
• Assists other staff in dealing with problematic client behavior.
• Acts as co-leader in assigned groups.
• Resourcefulness, initiative, and the ability to work with minimal direction and supervision.
• Skills necessary to provide effective counseling, therapy and clinical services, and the ability to successfully work as a member of a treatment team.
• Recognize mood changes or signs of behavior that indicate relapse.
• Communicate well with Parole, and Criminal courts.
• Type and write reports legibly and with concise clinical skill.
• Create written documentation that is legible, clear, and concise.
• Utilizes logical problem-solving techniques both independently and in collaboration with workers in dealing with client needs.
• Comply with all MHS and program rules, policies and procedures including HIPAA standards.

 

QUALIFICATIONS

Substance Abuse Counselors must meet one of the following:

• Certification through a recognized alcohol and drug certification entity plus two years’ experience working with alcohol and drug related issues/addictions.
• B.A. /B.S. degree in human service field plus one year experience working with alcohol and drug related issues/addictions.
• Bilingual in English and Spanish required.
• Proficient user of Microsoft Office Suite and EHR software.
• Ability to problem solve and react appropriately to emergency situations.
• Ability to work independently and effectively collaborate with a team.