Substance Use Disorder Counselors provide chemical dependency counseling, conduct group meetings, individual counseling, complete assessments, coordinate chemical dependency education sessions and provide case management services. Will collaborate with staff and outside health care providers to create a treatment plan that addresses ancillary needs and/or co-occurring mental disorders as well as appropriate family counseling. Must possess the ability to deal assertively and effectively with patient conflicts and conduct verbal de-escalation intervention. Maintain professional boundaries and set a positive example of behaviors for patients.
Primary responsibilities
- Carries out a variety of tasks for individuals in a long-term residential treatment program serving men with diagnosed substance use disorder, including but not limited to:
- Provide individual counseling and case management for a caseload of individuals including individuals on opiate replacement medications.
- Conduct educational classes and treatment groups as assigned.
- Complete assessments on residents of applicants, and write up assessment summaries and legal reports, as needed.
- As a primary counselor, will develop, review at least monthly, and amend an individualized service plan that follows ASAM Patient Placement Criteria and addresses treatment of substance use disorder as well as referrals for co-occurring mental health disorders.
- Record patient notes by close of business on the day of contact, and ensure files are maintained in accordance with organization’s policies and procedures.
- Complete patient progress notes and individual service plan revisions in a timely fashion, incorporating all pertinent and relevant information for the patient’s clinical treatment, and recorded in a fashion that another counselor could pick up the file and know how to work with the patient.
- Identify and facilitate referral of patients to professional consultation as appropriate.
- Ensure timely, complete communication and treatment progress reports to courts, referents and resource agencies, as appropriate.
- Collect and prepare data as needed to meet contract performance requirements.
- Maintain ongoing collaboration with various agencies during patient’s treatment.
- Incorporate discharge planning from admission to facilitate a seamless continuing care plan.
- Work effectively with all residential treatment team members in planning and developing instructional strategies and programs appropriate to the total needs of the patients.
- Attend staff meetings and provide clinical input, attend in-house training and complete all mandatory staff trainings as scheduled.
- Participate in research, and organizational activities as assigned.
- Follow patient confidentiality as outlined in 42 CFR and 45 CFR, relevant State laws, and company policy.
- Occasionally fill in for absent counselors or clinical manager, taking on additional groups, reviewing assessments, counseling clients in crisis, etc.
- Other duties as assigned.
Essential skills and abilities
- Ability to work weekend and some evening hours.
- Clear understanding of alcoholism and other drug addiction, withdrawal, and treatment resources for recovery, including 12-step programs and ASAM Criteria.
- Demonstrated ability to exercise considerable independent clinical judgment and initiative in accordance with agency policies, procedures, and practices.
- Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain current, accurate, complete, and well-written assessments, individual service plans, progress notes that are linked to the patient’s progress on their individualized service plan.
- Ability to conduct individualized patient-centered treatment that incorporates into all stages of treatment the patient’s own assessment of their strengths, needs, abilities and preferences.
- Maintain professional boundaries and set a positive example of behaviors for patients.
- Work cooperatively with patients, coworkers, and external agencies.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality in accordance with appropriate State and Federal laws and in accordance with organization’s policies and procedures.
- Ability to work with diverse ethnic populations and a variety of people with different problems.
- Effective written and verbal communications.
- Basic computer skills, including Windows, Word and Outlook, and able to keyboard approximately 2 hours a day.
- SUDP Requirements
- AA degree in chemical dependency studies or related human service, with BA preferred
- At least one year of experience as a Substance Use Disorder Professional
- Washington State Department of Health certification as a Substance Use Disorder Professional
- Washington State Driver’s license and auto insurance
- SUDPT Requirements
- AA degree in chemical dependency studies or related human service preferred
- At least one year of experience as a Substance Use Disorder Professional Trainee preferred
- Washington State Department of Health certification as a Substance Use Disorder Professional Trainee
- Washington State Driver’s license and auto insurance
Full Time: Hours and shifts may vary
Benefits
Dental insurance Employee assistance program Health insurance Health savings account Life insurance Paid time off Professional development assistance Retirement plan Vision insurance
