Substance Abuse Counselor

Job Title

Provides the following services to clients including: conducting face-to-face assessments; establishing diagnoses; making treatment suggestions; ordering Behavioral Health Intervention Services (BHIS) services (when indicated); and, assisting with referrals to BHIS providers. Provides mental health, substance abuse, trauma, and personal growth related therapy services to clients. Responsibilities encompass the provision of advanced evaluative, preventive, therapeutic, restorative and personal care services to assist in meeting the complex psychosocial needs of clients and their families, thus enabling them to better utilize program services and resources in order to achieve their optimal level of change/well-being.

Essential Functions:

• Provides therapy services in individual and group sessions.
• Provides crisis intervention and conflict resolution assistance. Demonstrates ability to differentiate between emergency and non-emergency tasks and responds accordingly.
• Provides immediate supportive counseling and necessary assistance to clients dealing with a crisis or emergency situation.
• Provides continuum of services that includes appropriate mental health supports, etc.
• Completes an initial assessment through utilization of proven tools including the American Society of Addiction Medicine Patient Placement Criteria (ASAM). Obtains bio-psychosocial history information and identifies client needs by interviewing the client, reviewing available records, conferring with other professionals and appropriate House of Mercy staff, and contacting other information sources as necessary and appropriate. Analysis and evaluation of client situation consistently reflects advanced competency in psychosocial assessment and diagnosis.

Minimum Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required:

• Master's Degree in a human services related discipline, required.
• Temporary license to provide mental health therapy in the State of Iowa or LMSW (licensed master social worker)
• Proof of completion of Mandatory Reporter abuse training specific to population served within first 30 days of employment.
• Understand medical terminology and communicate effectively with healthcare professionals.

Our Commitment

Rooted in our Mission and Core Values, we honor the dignity of every person and recognize the unique perspectives, experiences, and talents each colleague brings. By finding common ground and embracing our differences, we grow stronger together and deliver more compassionate, person-centered care. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other status protected by federal, state, or local law.