CASAC/CASAC - T - Motivational Enhancement Counselor (Day)

Job Description

Job Description

CASAC/CASAC - T - Motivational Enhancement Counselor
Full-Time, 37.5 Hours/Week, L215 Union

SHIFT: 8:00am - 4:00pm

Educational Alliance (EA), one of New York City’s original settlement houses, was founded in 1889 to offer educational, social, and cultural services to Jewish immigrants arriving to the Lower East Side. Today, EA is a proudly Jewish institution that partners with diverse communities throughout Lower Manhattan. We provide New Yorkers with high-quality, transformational programs that enhance their well-being and socio-economic opportunities, reflecting our belief that everyone in our city should be given the tools to thrive. 

The Center for Recovery and Wellness takes a holistic, strengths-based approach to recovery and wellness that responds to the distinct needs of each individual. Programs include residential and outpatient addiction treatment, recovery services, prevention education, and community programming. CRW offers culturally competent, evidence-based programs and services that strengthen individuals and communities, enhance resiliency, and foster lasting recovery.

Reporting to the Residential Manager and delivering milieu services in the trauma-informed modified therapeutic community, the Motivational Enhancement Counselors will monitor the residential systems and deliver behavioral interventions to the residents for the 100 bed, OASAS licensed residential treatment facility. They will work in an integrated fashion with other clinical program staff to provide effective individualized services and interventions that meet the treatment plan goals and objectives for residents. They will provide a safe haven in which our resident patients may confront their behavior, learn how to utilize their strengths to deal with the many problems related to chemical dependency, and develop the skills necessary to allow them to function as valuable members of the community without the use of drugs or alcohol.

Responsibilities:

Direct Services with Credential 

• Individual and group behavioral interventions in line with the modified trauma-informed modified therapeutic community.
• Monitor and coordinate residents’ attendance at medical, dental, and psychiatric appointments.
• Monitors resident’s participation in all residential services with appropriate communication and interventions applied for noncompliance with the program schedule.
• Participate in and lead crisis intervention for behavioral episodes or relapse episodes on-site, following facility procedures and documenting accordingly. 
• Conduct regular and scheduled safety runs, safety searches, and reporting back observations, intervening with residents appropriately, and making recommendations for a follow-up to the team.
• Conducts department meetings and committee meetings with residents in line with the modified Therapeutic Community model.
• Follows procedures for investigating safety issues, and managing onsite incidents with appropriate written incident reporting and verbal communication. 

Counseling

• Conduct group counseling sessions with residents. 
• Acts as a liaison to a clinical counselor and conducts caseload check-in rounds on shift with assigned caseload
• Utilize strengths-based counseling and MI spirit as well as employ strengths-based behavioral modification strategies.

Treatment

• Act as the SUD “behavioral expert” for participation in treatment planning led by the clinical counselor with the support multidisciplinary team 
• Document behavioral interventions in the clinical record as per 820 and CARF standards
• Communicate any outcomes of individual or group interventions to the clinical team members involved in the resident’s treatment plan.

Administrative

• Supervise and assist residents with in-house job functions, cooking, clean-up chores, and other daily living activities. 
• Regular review of resident signs out book and cross-referencing with resident’s headcount 
• Provide recreational activities, including trips. 
• Maintain patient records.
• Dispense metro cards and lunch money to residents as needed. 
• Collect HRA finger images and other required reporting elements.
• Participate in house meetings.
• Communicate pertinent information in Staff on duty log, Shift Exchange Meetings and Shift plans
• Perform other duties as assigned by supervisor.

Qualifications:

• A High School diploma or equivalent is required with valid CASAC. 2 years of experience in SUD treatment setting and a Master’s degree in behavioral science; social work, psychology, sociology may be substituted for CASAC if the applicant applies for CASAC-T within 90 days of hire.
• One (1) year of related work experience in a Residential Therapeutic Community setting is strongly preferred. 
• Knowledge of strengths-based counseling, cognitive-behavioral treatment, and behavior modification in practice
• Weekend availability is required.
• A degree in a related field (social work/psychology) is a definite plus.
• Current adult CPR and First Aid certifications a plus
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing with a broad variety of people, including other team members and management.
• Ability to maintain appropriate professional boundaries and confidentiality. 
• Competency with computer-based programs such as Microsoft Word, Outlook email, Relias, and Electronic Health records

Benefits:

• Generous PTO Policy
• Competitive Salary
• Medical, Dental & Vision
• Pension Plan
• 403(b) Retirement Plans
• Discount Perks for Movies, Broadway Shows, Amusement Parks, etc.
• Free Gym Membership to our MCC Fitness & 14th St Y Gym
• Discounts to programs at Educational Alliance
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Employee Referral Reward

Limitations and Disclaimer

The above job description is meant to describe the general nature and level of work being performed; it is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required for the position.

EEO Info

Educational Alliance is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, marital status, disability status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. 

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