Community Adult Substance Abuse Counselor I

Job Purpose & Position Overview

This position is responsible for the technical supervision support for the Alcohol Outpatient Services component and Chee-Woy-Na-Zhee Halfway House.

The Incumbent provides treatment and manages individual and group therapy for clients with a primary diagnosis of chemical dependency who may have a variety of other medical, psychosocial and environmental problems.

Will be responsible for the planning, evaluating, education and preventive care in the substance abuse outpatient/halfway house components.

Specific Job Duties/Responsibilities

Must be familiar with the AIHRC program organization, philosophy, function, responsibilities and policies.

Carries an active client caseload and applies therapeutic strategies that will motivate and redirect the behavior of chemically dependent individuals. This includes intake and assessment; treatment planning; treatment; progress reviews discharge; and follow-up.

Provides leadership to other members of the treatment team and is responsible for coordinating and conducting therapeutic activities.

Provides lectures on a wide variety of topics related to substance abuse treatment.

Provides therapeutic activities (individual, group, family and marital therapy) independently addressing complex issues regarding patient care and resolving conflict/problems.

Provides educational services and lectures to the Halfway House clients on a variety of topics related to alcohol/drug problems and treatment.

Assists in the implementation of the Quality Assurance Plan by conducting client record reviews, coordinating patient treatment plan reviews, insuring that client follow-up reports are completed in a timely and efficient manner. Reporting all findings and statistical reports to the Clinical Supervisor.

Will provide training and knowledge from counseling experience to Provisional Counselors.

Conduct Bio-psycho-social spiritual assessments for treatment planning and determine the need for further psychological/psychiatric testing and evaluation.

Develops comprehensive treatment plans based on individual needs to include specific goals and objectives that specify clients’ strengths/weaknesses and addresses the problems identified in the assessment. Treatment plans to have time frames for completion and anticipated outcomes.

Documents all aspects of client care including observations, treatments provided and client responses to treatment and other treatment recommendations.

Develop comprehensive aftercare plans with specific recommendations that will facilitate the on-going process of recovery and address the comprehensive needs of the clients.

Participate in medical rounds with the medical staff in Clinical Supervisors absence.

Monitor record keeping procedures to ensure full compliance with Federal rules and regulations governing client confidentiality. (42CFR)

Complete timely and efficient documentation of client care that is in full compliance with Indian Health Service, JCAHO and Nebraska State Standards of Care.

Supervise personnel engaged in providing alcohol and drug abuse counseling to the youth and adult segments of the community and sign off on all clinical documents.

Work closely with School Administration, Tribal Court, Social Services and other referral agencies to establish total client care.

Develops working relationships with inpatient treatment facilities and detox centers and be knowledgeable of their application and intake procedures.

Responsible for submitting monthly reports of activities for program, State and Federal compliance purposes.

Accurately completes AIHRC clinical records recording system and State of Nebraska forms on each client assigned.

Administer computer generated assessment tools, i. e. ASI, SASSI, and PEI, conducting chemical involvement problem severity and psychosocial evaluations for individuals referred to the program.

Qualifications/Skills

Must be a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselor or a Certified Provisional Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselor and working towards becoming a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselor.

Have a minimum of five (5) years sobriety and abstain from alcohol/drugs while employed in this position. A pre-employment drug test will be required.

Professional knowledge of established counseling concepts, principles, practices, methods and techniques necessary to administer a bio-psychosocial and spiritual treatment approach.

Must have working knowledge and understanding of principles of 12 step self-help groups; ie, Alcoholic Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous and Al-anon.

Must be knowledgeable of the disease concept of substance abuse and possess a thorough understanding of substance abuse as it pertains to Native Americans.

• A Valid Driver’s License is preferred, but not necessary.
• Must be able to maintain the strictest confidentiality regarding clients and program records.
• Must possess good verbal and written skills and be able to communicate ideas and concepts adequately.
• Must be able to exercise independent judgment and initiative and have the ability to delegate and motivate.
• Be willing to work evenings and weekends when requested.
• Must be a team player and have a positive attitude.
• Public Health Core Competencies for this Position

Public Health Sciences

• Describes the scientific foundation of the field of public health.
• Analysis and Assessment
• Apply ethical data principles.

Leadership and Systems Thinking

• Contributes to continuous improvement of individual, program and organizational performance.
• Participate in and/or provides opportunities for professional development opportunities.
• Contributes to continuous improvement of individual, program and organizational performance.

Communication and Cultural Competency

Communicate the roles of governmental public health and public health stakeholders as well as information to influence behavior and improve public health.

Gather input from and facilitate communication among individuals, groups, organizations and local government to improve community health.

Financial Planning and Management

• Establishes teams for the purpose of achieving program and organizational goals.
• Motivates personnel for the purpose of achieving program and organization goals.

Training Requirements

N/A

Physical Requirements

Normal to light office work which includes the ability to lift up to 10 lbs.

Regularly required to walk, stand, and sit for extended periods of time and use hands to operate computer keyboard, phone, and various office equipment.

Cognitive Requirements

• Reading, writing, calculating
• Above average social interaction skills
• Reasoning/Analysis
• Ability to work effectively both independently and as a team
• Works with minimal to no supervision

Language Requirements

• Must possess the ability to read, write, and speak the English language fluently.
• Must be able to continually and effectively employ professional verbal and written communications skills.

Certificates, Licenses & Registrations

All applicants will comply with 45 CFR 1301, Subpart D, Section 1301.31, C and D, which require all prospective employees to sign a declaration prior to employment regarding all arrests and convictions of child abuse or violent felonies and to comply with PL 101-630 and PL 101-637 regarding criminal records check.

Please note the position description duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

WCHS is an equal opportunity employer.

All applicants must comply with 45 CFR 1301, Subpart D, Section 1301.31 C and D, which require all prospective employees to sign a declaration prior to employment regarding all arrests and convictions of child abuse or violent felonies and comply with PL 101-630 and PL 101-637 regarding criminal records check.

As provided by Federal Law, all qualified Native American and Veteran applicants shall receive preference over Non-Native American applicants.

In the absence of qualified Native American applicants, consideration will be given to all other applicants without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender orientation/identity, national origin, age, marital status, veteran status, genetic information, disability or any other reason prohibited by law in provision of employment opportunities and benefits. WCHS participates in E-Verify.