Chemical Dependency Counselor

Job DetailsJob Location: SUN KY Outpatient Clinic - Lexington, KY 40517Position Type: Full TimeEducation Level: CertificateTravel Percentage: NoneJob Shift: DaysJob Category: Health CarePosition Summary: Responsible for comprehensive assessment of persons whose lives are disrupted or complicated by substance abuse issues.

Assists law enforcement, family members and others with the voluntary admission process. Makes referrals to community resources as appropriate.

Works collaboratively with the Treatment team to recommend persons in need of treatment to the appropriate outpatient program and coordinates inpatient admissions through the medical staff.

The CDC Counselor is expected to function as a member of the multidisciplinary team and participate in the organizations community relations program. Participates in continuous quality improvement activities.

Position Responsibilities: Clinical / Technical Skills (40% of performance review) Completes psychosocial evaluations on only those patients who have a substance abuse issues in a timely fashion. Displays excellent interviewing, data collection and substance abuse assessment and report writing skills.

Interviews patients/clients, family members and others to identify the precipitating event and degree of disruption that the person is suffering. Assesses the impact of psychosocial stressors in order to minimize the negative, destructive outcome of a crisis experience.

Provides care appropriate to condition and age of the patient/client, adolescent, adult, and geriatric population. (excludes the care of children with this discipline) Conducts substance abuse counseling and group sessions with individuals and groups.

Summarizes assessments and links patients/clients to the appropriate level of care. Participates in weekly treatment planning for each patient/client, works cooperatively as a member of the interdisciplinary treatment team, completes progress notes and discharge plans in a timely fashion.

Engages in timely, efficient discharge planning. Works in close conjunction with the patient/client, attending physician and other healthcare workers. Is knowledgeable of facility and community resources.

Collaborates with medical staff and community-based agencies regarding evaluation, recommendation and referral disposition. Possesses knowledge of Crisis Prevention Intervention (CPI) in managing crisis situations with escalated patients/clients. Documents all patient/client-related interactions.

Completes documentation required for the medical record and third-party payer sources. Performs all aspects of patient/client care in an environment that optimizes patient/client safety and reduces the likelihood of medical/health care errors. Acts as an advocate for the patient/client in the community.

Maintains a good working relationship within the department and with other departments. Communicates appropriately and clearly to the Director of Clinical Services, co-workers and medical staff. Provides a safe environment for patients/clients and staff, including being aware of and documenting unusual incidents.

Demonstrates the ability to be flexible, organized and function under stressful situations. Performs other duties as assigned. Safety (15% of performance review) Strives to create a safe, healing environment for patients and family members Follows all safety rules while on the job.

Reports near misses, as well as errors and accidents promptly. Corrects minor safety hazards. Communicates with peers and management regarding any hazards identified in the workplace. Attends all required safety programs and understands responsibilities related to general, department, and job specific safety.

Participates in quality projects, as assigned, and supports quality initiatives. Supports and maintains a culture of safety and quality. Teamwork (15% of performance review) Works well with others in a spirit of teamwork and cooperation.

Responds willingly to colleagues and serves as an active part of the hospital team. Builds collaborative relationships with patients, families, staff, and physicians.

The ability to retrieve, communicate, and present data and information both verbally and in writing as required Demonstrates listening skills and the ability to express or exchange ideas by means of the spoken and written word. Demonstrates adequate skills in all forms of communication.

Adheres to the Standards of Behavior Integrity (15% of performance review) Strives to always do the right thing for the patient, coworkers, and the hospital Adheres to established standards, policies, procedures, protocols, and laws.

Applies the Mission and Values of SUN Behavioral Health to personal practice and commits to service excellence. Supports and demonstrates fiscal responsibility through supply usage, ordering of supplies, and conservation of facility resources.

Completes required trainings within defined time periods, as established by job description, policies, or hospital leadership Exemplifies professionalism through good attendance and positive attitude, at all times. Maintains confidentiality of patient and staff information, following HIPAA and other privacy laws.

Ensures proper documentation in all position activities, following federal and state guidelines. Compassion (15% of performance review) Demonstrates accountability for ensuring the highest quality patient care for patients.

Willingness to be accepting of those in need, and to extend a helping hand Desire to go above and beyond for others Understanding and accepting of cultural diversity and differences Qualifications

Education: Required: CD Counselor, CDAC 1, CDAC 11, CDAC 111 or CDAC IV. CPR and hospital-selected de-escalation technique certification. Maintains education and development appropriate for position. Experience Required: A minimum of two (2) years of supervised clinical experience in a substance abuse setting. Preferred: Inpatient substance abuse treatment setting experience.