Substance Abuse Counselor

GENERAL NATURE OF POSITION:

This position is under the supervision of the Substance Abuse Director and will provide substance abuse treatment services for clients who have a documented history of drug and/or alcohol abuse. This position participates in preparing case histories and record, group and individual facilitation, release planning, referrals and other duties.

Essential Job Functions

• Assess the counseling needs of the clients
• Assess clients using the ASI or using other standardized assessment tool and for adolescents using the CASI or using other evidence- based validated assessment tool and diagnosing clients for substance disorders using the DSM-IV-TR;
• Determine the appropriate level of care based on ASAM PPC-2R;
• Obtain previous records that are relevant to the current treatment episode
• Collaborate with the client in order to develop a written treatment plan that is client-centered and recovery oriented and includes goals and measurable objectives.
• The director of substance abuse counseling shall develop, monitor and provide clients and the treatment team with written schedules that will be used to update each client treatment plan(s) in order to ensure that each client's treatment needs are addressed.
• Provide substance abuse counseling services specified in the client treatment plan
• Review clients throughout the treatment episode according to ASAM PPC-2R, to determine the need for continued services or discharge/transfer
• Review and, where necessary, revising the substance abuse counseling portion of the client treatment plan to address emerging problems
• Developing the client discharge/transfer plans to ensure movement to the appropriate levels of care
• Contact referral sources, providing case consultation and coordination with referral sources (for example: mental health treatment providers, criminal justice agencies, schools, employers, the Division of Youth and Family Services)
• Participate as a member of a multidisciplinary team for assigned clients
• Provide active case consultation; and
• Document all counseling and education services, assessments, reassessments, referrals and follow-up in the client's clinical record, providing appropriate signatures and dating of such entries, including those made in electronic records.
• Must be reliable and consistent with attendance and punctuality to work.
• Represent Real House, Inc. in a professional manner.
• Understand and follow all policies and procedures of Real House, Inc.
• Must have an attitude of friendliness and be able to communicate with all levels within Real House, Inc.
• Maintain good working relationships with all Real House, Inc. Staff and Volunteers.

Qualifications

Required and Preferred Education and Experience of at least one of the following qualifications

• LCADC or CADC
• Strong written and oral communications skills.
• Ability to work flexible hours
• Ability to work in and adapt the culture of a multi-cultural, community-based organization
• Good inter-personal skills, ability to relate well with persons from a variety of socioeconomic and cultural groups
• Commitment to maintain confidentiality
• Understanding of the Agency’s mission and culture and the ability to maintain appropriate boundaries with staff and clients in all circumstances
• Proficiency in computer skills, especially using Outlook, Word, Excel and customized databases.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to lift 25 pounds
• Must be able to ascend and descend up to three flights of stairs throughout the course of a normal workday.
• Occasionally required to stand and walk.

Certificates and Licenses

• LCADC or CADC or other licensed health care professional doing work of an alcohol and drug counseling nature within their scope of practice.
• Valid driver’s license or reliable transportation
• CPR and First Aid
• Employment contingent upon clear fingerprint and criminal history record.