Counselor I

Job Description

Job Description

Position Title:  Counselor I

Department:  MRT BHC SUD

Reports To: as assigned by the Program Director

POSITION SUMMARY

This position involves conducting assessments, developing individualized care plans, and facilitating therapeutic interventions to promote client well-being and recovery. The Counselor I collaborates closely with multidisciplinary teams to ensure comprehensive care and connects clients with appropriate community resources and support services. This role requires a compassionate and patient-centered approach to help clients build coping skills and achieve personal goals. Ultimately, the Counselor I contributes to improving the quality of life for clients by fostering resilience and supporting their journey toward mental and emotional health.

Benefits Package 

• Medical Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Care Plan
• Life Insurance
• Paid Holidays
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Paid Vacation Time
• Sick Time
• 401(k) Retirement Plan
• Competitive wages
• Stability and career advancement
• Continuing Education Opportunities

CATEGORIES OF DUTIES 

ALL PROGRAMS 

1. Provides crisis intervention on an as-needed basis. 
2. Attends weekly individual and group supervision. 
3. Attends in-service training and educational workshops. 
4. Attends all required staff meetings. 
5. Cooperates and communicates fully with other staff members regarding patient behavior, progress, activities, etc. 
6. Conducts self in a professional manner in areas of dress, language, attitude, and behavior. 
7. Exhibits full knowledge and support of the philosophy and objectives of the Agency. 
8. Fully understands and maintains policies regarding professional ethics, including appropriate boundaries and patient confidentiality. 
9. Other duties as assigned by Director and/or Administration. 

ALCOHOL AND DRUG PROGRAMS

1. Completes/Review/Updates ASAM Assessment within timeframe established by program policy. 
2. Initiates Individualized Treatment Plan on assigned patients and works closely with Case Manager and other members of the multi-disciplinary team to assure all identified problems are addressed. Completes the Integrated Summary and Treatment plan updates within timeframe established by program policy. 
3. Participates in Initial Case Conference within timeframe established by program policy. 
4. Participates in Continuing Case Conferences within timeframe established by program policy. 
5. Provides regular, comprehensive progress note charting in patient’s Medical Record in accordance with JCAHO, State, County, and Agency standards, to include individual sessions, group participation, crisis intervention, etc. 
6. Facilitates educational groups using approved curriculum according to program schedule. 
7. Schedules and conducts regular 1:1 sessions with all assigned patients at least weekly or more often as appropriate or directed. 
8. Performs conjoin/family sessions as needed. 
9. Reviews all patient therapeutic writing assignments and provides assistance/feedback as needed. 
10. Attends in-service training and educational workshops. 
11. Administers waived tests (urine pregnancy test, blood glucose test, breath alcohol test, UA drug screen, hemoglobin [HbA1c], COVID 19 and flu A+B tests, and fentanyl urine screen) and maintains annual waived testing requirements/trainings.

HIV PROGRAMS

1. Provides counseling and testing services; document and track tests results.
2. Provides co morbidity education through outreach, group level and individual sessions.
3. Maintains caseload, charting and documentation of services and referrals provided.
4. Provide data entry and reporting of units of service provided.

DETOX AND INPATIENT SPECIFIC DUTIES

1. Reviews Psychiatric evaluation, History and Physical, ASI Assessment, Family Assessment and any available/appropriate past Medical Records for this or other agencies.
2. Works closely with other multi-disciplinary team members to develop a comprehensive Individualized Treatment Plan on assigned patients and to ensure that all identified problems are addressed.
3. Facilitates and completes Initial Case Conference and Continuing Case Conference within time frame established by program policy.
4. Completes Integrated Summary on each assigned patient based on the need of the patient(s).
5. Provides crisis intervention on an as needed basis.
6. Provides regular, comprehensive progress note charting in patient’s Medical Record in accordance with JCAHO, State, County, and Any other contractual Agency standards which document contacts, progress towards identified goals, program participation, referrals, discharge planning and other case management activities.
7. Schedules and conducts regular 1:1 sessions with all assigned patient’s at least weekly or more as appropriate or directed.
8. As appropriate, initiate contacts with family members or significant others at time of Initial 1:1 to perform Family Assessment.
9. Facilitates educational groups as assigned utilizing approved curriculum according to the program schedule.

1. Facilitates process groups as assigned according to the program schedule.
2. Makes direct contact within agency and with outside entities as appropriate, in order to assist patients in resolution of legal, financial, housing, medical, psychiatric and discharge planning issues.
3. Facilitates discharge-planning efforts, commencing at time of admission on all assigned patients, including areas of housing, employment, medical psychiatric, financial, aftercare, etc.
4. Cooperates and communicates fully with other staff members regarding patient behavior, progress activities, etc.
5. Interfaces daily with agency Utilization Review personnel and provides regular reports on patient’s current status.
6. Attends in-services training and educational workshops.
7. Attends all required staff meetings.
8. Other duties as assigned by Director and /or Administrator.

YOUTH SERVICES

1. Conduct random UA testing and documentation of results for all clients, according to the specific program requirements and frequency of testing.
2. Interfaces daily with agency Utilization Review personnel and provides regular reports on patient’s current status.
3. Submit client billing daily to clerk/typist for data entry.
4. Facilitates discharge-planning efforts, commencing at time of admission on all assigned patients regarding after-care arrangements, educational needs, family relationships, housing and living arrangements, and legal problems affecting the youth.
5. Provides crisis intervention on an as needed basis.
6. Conduct community outreach monthly and attend community meetings as appropriate.
7. Must obtain and be cleared by LIVE SCAN to work with TTC Youth Clients.

EDUCATION, TRAINING, EXPERIENCE, CERTIFICATION, REGISTRATION

Counselor I

• High School Diploma or GED
• Registration with any one of the -approved state-level certification entities: CADTP, CAADE or CCAPP
• 1 year in a behavioral healthcare setting
• Enrollment in academic Addictions Studies Program and completed a minimum of 80 hours of approved instruction or agree to complete hours within 6 months from date of hire.
• Complete ASAM A and B training within 15 days from date of hire. 

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR YOUTH SERVICES

• A minimum of five (2) years’ experience in youth services including work with runaways, victims of abuse, and pregnant or parenting youth
• Training to conduct urinalysis testing and analysis by qualified agency staff, a urinalysis testing organization, or County department.
• Knows psychosocial developmental tasks, knows milestones of adolescent physiological development, is aware of family/generational influences on substance use issues, understands adolescent high-risk behaviors, is aware of legal issues surrounding adolescent treatment, demonstrates knowledge of mandatory reporting laws.

SETTING

Tarzana Treatment Centers, Inc. is a non-profit corporation, which provides behavioral healthcare services, including chemical dependency.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Tarzana Treatment Centers, Inc. does not discriminate as to race, nationality, religion, gender, sexual orientation, and disability in its hiring practices.

ADA REQUIREMENT

Tarzana Treatment Centers, Inc. supports the Americans with Disabilities Act. Discrimination is prohibited in all aspects of employment against disabled persons, who, with reasonable accommodations, can perform the essential functions of a job.

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