SUD Counselor (ACT): Community Outreach & Crisis Care

Substance Use Disorder Counselor, Assertive Community Treatment #1440

At LifeWorks NW, our work strengthens the health and wellbeing of individuals and families at every stage of life. Our mission is to promote a healthy community through high-quality, culturally responsive mental health, addiction, and prevention services that create real, lasting change. Guided by our values of recovery and resilience, relationships, and results, we partner closely with clients and communities to reduce stigma and build pathways to stability and hope. If you want your work to make a meaningful difference beyond the walls of an office, we invite you to join us.

The Assertive CommunityTreatment (ACT) program is a multidisciplinary team approach with assertiveoutreach in the community for clients experiencing the most severe symptoms ofmental illness. ACT programs are evidence-based and fidelity reviewed to helpsupport those clients at highest risk of psychiatric crisis and hospitalizationand involvement in the criminal justice system.

The Substance Use Disorder Counselor provides in person screeningand referral for substance use disorder treatment services and case management.Services will be provided in both onsite and in the community. Responsible forcompleting ASAM assessments, and for coordinating referrals to residential orintensive outpatient chemical dependency treatment services. Also assistsclients in different stages of change in relation to substance abuse, focusingon building motivation. Will work as a member of multidisciplinary team.

Location: This position is based out of LifeWorks NW's Beaverton Site.

Salary Placement Notice:
The posted salary range reflects the compensation potential for this role. Most candidates will be placed between the entry level and midpoint of the range, depending on their experience and qualifications. However, more seasoned professionals with extensive exact or similar experience may be considered for placement toward the higher end of the range. Final salary offers are made in alignment with internal compensation processes in accordance with Oregon Pay Equity laws.

• Responsible for in person screening, substance use and risk assessments includinginitial intake interview, formulating a substance use diagnosis, and identifyingappropriate referrals for treatment services.
• Provide crisis intervention and support, as appropriate.
• Develop a plan to connect the individual to substance use disorder servicesand an interim plan for the person to access support between the time ofscreening and the date the person can be admitted to treatment. Plan will bebased on individuals' interests, abilities, strengths, and clinical needs.
• Maintain awareness of community referral resources. Help build positiverelationships with other community providers and provide appropriate referralservices.
• Provide culturally appropriate resources and support linkage, advocacy,and community collaboration as well as evaluation for individuals.
• Provide training to staff, caregivers, and family regarding issues ofsubstance use as it relates to clients.
• Provide accurate screenings for mental health, health, gambling, suicideideation, trauma, and domestic violence issues, and make referrals toappropriate service providers as necessary.
• Provide referral services to individuals and their families, e.g.,residential services community resources, recovery support services,etc.
• Counsel individuals or families, using evidence-based treatment practices,to help them understand problems, define goals, and develop realistic actionplans.
• Develop and maintain relationships with substance use treatmentproviders to ensure smooth transition into care for individuals.
• Develop and maintain relationships with referral sources.
• Serve as back-up for other staff when needed.
• Observe and evaluate individual's behavior, social development, physicalhealth, and motivation and readiness for treatment.
• Identify and diagnose substance use disorders using information obtainedfrom interviews, records, and reference materials.
• Notify individual, of diagnosis and initial treatment recommendations ina timely manner, complete written narrative of the screening assessment, obtainnecessary authorizations for disclosure.
• Involve significant other(s), care givers, and care providers in thecare plan as indicated and planned with the individual.
• May be responsible for service coordination. Coordinate/collaborate withphysicians, staff, families, caregivers, referents, etc.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of screening and referral to services.
• Document and maintain client records in electronic healthcare systemwithin 24 hours of meeting with client to ensure compliance with agency andcontract guidelines and confidentiality.
• Identify situations involving domestic abuse or other family problemsaffecting clients' development and determine whether clients should becounseled or referred to other specialists. Follow through with mandatoryreporting duties.
• Travel between sites or in the community, may transport clients in theLifeWorks NW vehicles.
• UseFeedback-Informed Treatment service delivery approach to obtain and reviewfeedback from clients regarding the fit and effectiveness of the services providedto them.
• Utilizethe integrated dual diagnosis treatment and Enhance Illness Management andrecovery offered by OCEACT

Requirements:

• Requires a current CADC 1 or equivalent national certification; or asubmitted application for CADC 1 with a formal plan to obtain certificationwithin six months of hire.
• If recovering from a substance use related disorder, must be able todemonstrate continuous sobriety under nonresidential, independent livingconditions for the immediate past two years.
• Will participate in on-call 24/7 crisis phone rotation,members are on-call for 7 day shifts in case of client emergencies,hospitalizations, and to serve as an after-hours emergency contact. The on-callclinician receives an additional stipend when performing this duty,
• Have knowledge of individual with severe and persistent mental illness
• Have knowledge, skills, and abilities demonstrating competence intreatment of substance-related disorders including client evaluation and individual,group, family, and other counseling techniques; program policies and proceduresfor client case management and record keeping; and accountability for recordinginformation in the client files assigned to them consistent with those policiesand procedures.
• Should be familiar with theory or concepts of prevention, traumainformed care, cultural awareness, and dual diagnosis.
• Must have a working understanding of cultural values and norms,acculturation, and generational issues within a culture; extensive knowledgeand understanding of resources and appropriate support linkage available withinthe community; effective inner-cultural communication skills in order toadvocate for culturally diverse clients.
• Knowledge of human development across the span of life.
• Sensitivity and understanding of specific barriers which may lead tolack of access and engagement.
• Good computer skills including a functional knowledge of MicrosoftOutlook and Word. Ability to master proprietary software including electronichealth record system.
• Requires ability to work evenings and/or weekends, depending on the workassignment
• Requires valid driver's license, proof of current automobile insurance coverage, verification of safe driving record from DMV, and the ability to meet LWNW driving requirements.
• Theability to work in the community and in person with clients and communitypartners.