Treatment Advocate

Overview

Company Summary

If you are searching for a fulfilling place to develop your career and an opportunity to make a difference in helping others, then keep reading on. Here at AAC, we have a progressive culture; we listen to your ideas, value a work/life balance, invest in education, and we foster trust and respect for all individuals. Our exceptional comp and strong benefits include 401K, medical, dental, vision and life insurance. We are looking for our future leaders, who are not only going to fill the qualifications for this job description, but who are going to exceed expectations. Be a part of a team whose mission is to provide quality, compassionate, and innovative care to adults struggling with addiction and co-occurring mental health disorders. Our purpose and passion are to empower patients, their families, and our communities by helping individuals achieve recovery and optimal wellness of the mind, body, and spirit.

Responsibilities

Job Summary

The Treatment Advocate (TA) will observe client’s daily activities and assist in their recovery. TA will collaborate with the Treatment team and assist with service coordination as needed for patients. American Addiction Centers strives to ensure that all of our patients receive the most comprehensive care to address the issues that may impede their recovery. The TA also operates the company vehicle to transport clients and facility visitors.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Responsible for welcoming new patients, assisting with orientation of programming schedule and rules.
• Conduct patient belongings search when new patients are admitted.
• Complete safety rounds and security checks.
• Participate in coordination of patient’s daily schedule including treatment meetings, behavior interventions, and overall general observation of behavior and level of participation.
• Provide support and encouragement to patients.
• Support and encourage patient participation in group, individual, and family counseling services.
• Support clinical and nursing services of patients as assigned.
• Participate in weekly treatment team meeting and program staff meetings.
• Ensure that all documentation necessary meet contract, licensure, accreditation and standards for services in a timely manner following the AAC’s documentation policy guidelines.
• Communicate efficiently with other departments to ensure the best care for patient.
• Provide supportive services to outpatient and inpatient adult population.
• Identify situations which may be potentially harmful to patients and report any patient or safety concerns to Clinical Manager and/or CEO.
• Understand and abide by State Department standards, facility accreditation, AAC’s policy and procedures.
• Adhere to company code of ethic and maintain professional boundaries with patients at all times.
• Respectful of patient rights as well as understanding of patients’ unique recovery needs.
• Communicate with all staff, patients, and families using excellent professional written and verbal skills.
• Demonstrate dependability and adaptability with patients and staff.
• Maintains confidentiality of patient and company information.
• Abide by the standards of HIPAA and 42 CFR Part 2 guidelines.
• Assists in monitoring and managing patient community as a therapeutic milieu.
• Intervenes in crisis situations to deescalates and resolves crises.
• Complies with local traffic regulations and reports delays or accidents.
• Load or unloads baggage or express checked by passengers in baggage compartment.
• Performs miscellaneous errands such as store runs for patients, mail to and from post office.
• Makes overnight drives and extended trips requiring irregular hours.
• Keep vehicle clean, polished, and in operating condition.
• During all transports, meets and greets all clients in a professional and polite demeanor. Makes new clients feel welcomed and comfortable during trip. Assist passengers to enter and leave car.
• Answers any questions that new clients may have during transport to help orientate them before arriving at facility. 
• Other task as assigned by direct supervisor within scope of practice.

Qualifications

Education/ Experience:

• High school diploma or GED required from an accredited institution
• Associates or Bachelor’s Degree preferred in Behavioral Sciences (social sciences, human services, counseling or psychology).
• Valid Driver’s License required with insurable driving record
• Working knowledge of vehicle safety and control systems.
• Minimum of 1 year experience in a behavioral healthcare field preferred.
• Knowledge of utilizing electronic health record software and documentation preferred.
• Ability to read, write and interpret written information, type documentation, present information to groups and participate in meetings.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook.
• Must be able to work overtime, weekends, holidays, and flexible hours.

Physical Requirements

“AAC is committed to principles of equal opportunities for all employees. The Company will provide reasonable accommodations that are necessary to comply with State and Federal disability discrimination laws”

• Ability to sit, use hands and fingers, talk or hear, and smell continually. Ability to stand, walk and reach frequently. Ability to climb or balance, stoop, kneel, or crouch occasionally.
• Ability to frequently lift and carry up to 10 lbs. and occasionally lift and carry up to 25 lbs.
• Close vision required to see computer monitor, read documents, and operate copy and fax machine. Distance vision required to drive an automobile, if driving is a requirement of the job.
• Work environment is indoors and climate controlled. Occasionally exposed to outdoor weather conditions.
• Moderate noise levels as found in a business office with computer printers, households with TVs and dishwashers, and driving light traffic.

American Addiction Centers is an equal opportunity employer. American Addiction Centers prohibits employment practices that discriminate against individuals or groups of employees on the basis of age, color disability, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy, veteran or military status, genetic information or any other category deemed protected by state and/or federal law.