Substance Use Counselor (NY HELPS) - FT - Day Shift

Substance Use Counselor (NY HELPS) - FT - Day Shift

Job Category: Behavioral Health/Substance Use Disorders

HOURLY RANGE: $29.77 - $40.05

Description

NY HELPS: This title is part of the New York Hiring for Emergency Limited Placement Statewide Program (NY HELPS). For the duration of the NY HELPS Program, this title may be filled via a non-competitive appointment, which means NO EXAMINATION IS REQUIRED, but all candidates must meet the minimum qualifications of the title for which they apply. At a future date (within one year of permanent appointment), it is expected employees hired under NY HELPS will have their non-competitive employment status converted to competitive status, WITHOUT HAVING TO TAKE A CIVIL SERVICE TEST. Employees will then be afforded with all of the same rights and privileges of competitive class employees of New York State. While serving permanently in a NY HELPS title, employees may take part in any promotion examination for which they are qualified.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS: The work involves the provision of substance use treatment services at the Erie County Medical Center Corporation (ECMCC) by applying evidence-based therapies. The incumbent implements established recovery plans, including structural activities, individual and group counseling and social network development. Work is performed under the direct supervision of higher-ranking counseling staff and other professional staff members. This is professional counseling work with limited responsibility for the supervision of lower-level counseling and support staff. Does related work as required and assigned by authorized personnel.

TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES:

• Completes assessments, makes preliminary recommendations as to appropriateness of patient services, recommends level of care;
• Collaboratively works with patients, patient's family members, collateral contacts, referral sources and other staff members to develop recovery, discharge and transition plans;
• Works cooperatively with staff members participating in individual or group supervision, case conferences and staff meetings;
• Applies generally accepted techniques of substance use counseling and evidence-based practices to facilitate individual and group counseling sessions;
• Manages individual caseload, prepares and maintains patient records in accordance with applicable hospital and department policies and procedures;
• Competes mandatory in-service and re-orientation programs;
• Maintains compliance with all treatment and documentation regulatory guidelines;
• Observes changes in patient's condition and notifies appropriate personnel.

FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS: Thorough knowledge of the principals of interviewing, counseling and guidance; good knowledge of the principles and practices of substance use treatment; good knowledge of sources and uses of medical and occupational information; working knowledge of psychodiagnostics and psychodynamics; knowledge of and compliance with various ECMCC policies and procedures (including employee handbook, corporate compliance program, code of conduct, conflict of interest, patient safety, quality improvement and departmental safety plan); skill in dealing effectively with patients in a counseling setting; demonstrates competency in conducting process-oriented, educational groups, individual/family/collateral sessions and in psychosocial assessments and discharge summaries; ability to engage patients in treatment programs; ability to demonstrate professional etiquette and respect privacy and confidentiality of patients, visitors and co-workers by following ECMCC's HIPPA and Privacy Policies; ability to demonstrate concern, respect and caring for persons internal and external to ECMCC; ability to work collaboratively and identify treatment goals; ability to meet deadlines; ability to express oneself clearly, both orally and in writing; ability to prepare detailed reports; initiative; resourcefulness; strong clinical judgment; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with a diverse constituency; physically capable of performing the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Possession of a Bachelor's Degree* and in addition either:
• Possession of a Master's Degree* in Rehabilitation Counseling, Social Work or Mental Health Counseling; or:
• Possession of a Master's Degree* in therapeutic or counseling related field and one (1) year of supervised work experience providing substance use treatment services; or:
• Two (2) years of supervised work experience providing substance use treatment services; or:
• An equivalent combination or training and experience as defined by the limits of (A), (B) and (C).

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Possession of a license to practice in New York State as a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW), Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) or Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) at time of appointment and maintenance throughout duration of appointment; or
• Possession of a limited permit to practice in New York State as a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW-P) at time of appointment and possession of licensure within one year of appointment and maintenance of licensure throughout duration of appointment, or possession of a limited permit to practice in New York State as a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC-P) at time of appointment and possession of licensure within thirty-six (36) months of appointment and maintenance of licensure throughout duration of appointment; or
• Possession of a Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor (CASAC) credential as issued by the New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS) at time of appointment and maintenance throughout duration of appointment; or:
• Possession of a Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor – Trainee (CASAC-T) certification as issued by the New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS) at time of appointment and possession of CASAC within thirty-six (36) months of appointment and maintenance throughout duration of appointment; or
• Possession of a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor Certification (CRCC) at time of appointment and maintenance throughout duration of appointment.

NOTE*: Your degree must have been awarded by a college or university accredited by a regional, national, or specialized agency recognized as an accrediting agency by the U.S. Department of Education/U.S. Secretary of Education. If your degree was awarded by an educational institution outside the United States and its territories, you must provide independent verification of equivalency. A list of acceptable companies who provide this service can be found on the Internet at You must pay the required evaluation fee.

NOTE 2: Verifiable part-time and/or volunteer experience will be pro-rated toward meeting full-time experience requirements.

Equal Opportunity Employer This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.