Substance Abuse Counselor

Summary of Position Function

Implements and maintains an effective trainee employee assistance program (TEAP), in compliance with DOL and management directives with emphasis placed on substance abuse awareness, prevention, staff training and networking with community resources.

Major Duties and Responsibilities

• Makes assessments of all students to determine those who might be in need of intervention due to substance use.

• Conducts individual and group counseling to students who in are in need of intervention.

• Participates in the orientation of new students during the Career Preparation Period.

• Ensures all students who test positive for drugs are retested within the 45 day probationary period.

• Provides follow-up counseling to students who have completed TEAP to encourage and prevent relapse.

• Provides prevention education to all student employees during all phases of the Job Corps program.

• Conducts in-service training sessions with both staff and students in all areas related to substance use and abuse.

• Collaborates with the recreational department in developing leisure time activities and incentives to reinforce an alcohol and drug free lifestyle.

• Recommends medical separation with reinstatement for students who are in need of alcohol and other drug treatment.

• Acts as liaison between center and agency resource and referral contacts.

• Maintains confidential reports and records on all referrals and cases.

• Collaborates with CMHC.

Note:  This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive.  Employee may perform other related duties as needed to meet the ongoing needs of the organization.  

Skills/Competencies

• Ability to design, develop and implement a program related to alcohol and other drugs of abuse and intervention.

• Proficient in training staff and students on the signs, symptoms and early identification of alcohol and other drug use and abuse, and the disease of alcoholism and drug dependency.

• Demonstrated ability to assess students’ need for inpatient/outpatient substance abuse treatment and, when appropriate, coordinates access to these services.

• Demonstrated ability to assist students receiving drug and alcohol treatment in developing and maintaining social support networks, and self-help support groups.

• Proven track record of developing trusting relationships to enhance successful substance abuse outcomes, by educational, behavioral, and motivational interventions.

Education Requirements

• State certification as a Substance Abuse Counselor.

Experience

• 2 years of experience in work related field.

Other

• Must possess a valid driver’s license with an acceptable driving record.

ADA Requirements

In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, it is possible that requirements may be modified to reasonably accommodate disabled individuals.  However, no accommodations will be made which may pose serious health or safety risks to the employee or others or which impose an undue hardship on the company.  

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The term "qualified individual with a disability" means an individual with a disability who, with or without reasonable accommodation, can perform the essential functions of the position.

Physical Activities

• Reading, writing and communicating fluently in English

• Hearing and speaking to express ideas and/or exchange information in person or over the telephone

• Seeing to read labels, posters, documents, PC screens, etc.

• Sitting, standing, moving about or walking for occasional or frequent periods of time

• Dexterity of hands and fingers to operate a computer keyboard and other office equipment

• Kneeling, bending at the waist, stooping and reaching overhead

• Retrieving and storing files and supplies; occasionally carrying and/or lifting light objects