JOB SUMMARY

The Drug and Alcohol Counselor is, under direction, accountable for assessing and providing treatment to individuals with substance abuse difficulties, including abuse of tobacco, alcohol, or other drugs. The Counselor works daily in coordination with the patient’s provider, other IBH team members and members of the patient’s social network to ensure that care is appropriate and effective. The Drug and Alcohol Counselor is responsible for assisting patients in identifying, maximizing, and relating their strengths to appropriate social, educational (academic and vocational), and occupational goals. The Counselor is also responsible for helping the patients prepare and adjust to a drug free existence, and to offer assistance (emotional and physical) in problematic issues including but not limited to group therapy, individual counseling, case management, referral services, and other related work as required.

JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Participate directly in group and individual counseling with youth and adult patients.
• Participate in the intake process by interviewing clients and gathering data relative to personal, social, and emotional, and substance abuse history to be used as part of the assessment and treatment plan process.
• Prepare assessments and evaluations with particular emphasis upon psychosocial factors affecting the client’s ability to appropriately utilize medical care and other treatment modalities.
• Partner with other staff members and coordinate care with community agencies in carrying out treatment plans.
• Interprets and explains to clients, to staff, to relatives, and community groups the social and emotional understanding of the factors pertaining to substance use disorders in order to provide a better understanding of the social aspects of environmental, emotional, and physical problems.
• Submit records and reports for periodic review as requested by supervisory team.
• Accept referrals from SCHC providers and agencies in the community, as well as self-referrals.
• Document all patient contacts in the electronic health record. If other team members provide services to the patient, the assigned counselor is responsible to see that such contacts are documented in the patient’s electronic health record.
• Assist the IBH Director, and Lead Alcohol and Drug Counselor in implementing new programs into patient treatment.
• Detect and advise their supervisor of problems encountered with caseload management and schedules.
• Attend weekly treatment team meetings prepared to both lead the discussion where appropriate and discuss his/her assigned individual patient caseload.
• Other duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Minimum of two years’ experience providing drug and alcohol counseling and education services.
• Knowledge of principles, procedures, techniques, trends, and literature of substance abuse treatment.
• Knowledge of psychosocial aspects of substance abuse, including mental and emotional disturbances, economics, physical health, relationship disruptions, etc.
• Knowledge of scope and activities of local public and private health and welfare agencies.
• Ability to independently apply the principles of substance abuse treatment.
• Ability to utilize Motivational Interviewing to establish and maintain the confidence and cooperation of persons contacted in the course of work.
• Secure accurate psychosocial data, record such data systematically, write clear, accurate, and concise reports, and interpret statistical data.
• Maintain an objective and empathetic understanding of patients with substance abuse problems, and their families. Support a harm reduction approach.
• Respond to persons with respect, tolerance, tact, and maintain emotional stability.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

• Current certification from CCAPP, CADTP or CAADE, plus minimum of two years’ experience in alcohol and drug counseling, preferably in a healthcare setting.
• Experience working with Medication Assisted Treatment.
• AA degree preferred.

COVID-19 VACCINATION REQUIREMENT