Substance Abuse Counselor

Substance Use Disorder Services PositionThis position provides substance use disorder services to the inmate population, to include formal and informal behavioral health evaluations, diagnostic assessments, and clinical interventions. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:Provides substance use and co-occurring disorder treatment services under clinical supervision;Collaborates with other mental health professionals to ensure co-occurring issues;Serves as consultant for unit staff regarding assessment, diagnosis, and treatment planning;Monitors inmate treatment and documentation to assure compliance with standards and to assure continuity of care;Assures accurate Information System behavioral health needs levels, and provides group, brief, and individual treatment;Provides clinical direction to non-clinical staff in behavioral health care and treatment of inmates.Assures continuity of care for inmates by making appropriate referral and providing necessary information and documentation for receiving units, facilities, or agencies;Provides crisis intervention in conjunction with clinical standards regarding mental health professional privilege level;Documents both handwritten and electronically in an accurate and timely manner to provide comprehensive inmate behavioral health records;Communicates directly with inmates regarding their behavioral health care such as consequences of maladaptive behavior and desired and undesirable effects of prescribed behavioral health medication;Listens to inmate concerns and provides counseling and direction;Communicates to advise, counsel, inform and/or guide staff within the clinical unit, the facility, clinical and administrative supervisors and outside agencies to ensure continuity and direction of behavioral health care;Communicates and responds to complaints, problems, transfers, classifications, and inmate behavioral management issues;Responsible for maintaining standards of the program or work unit through compliance with all applicable professional, departmental, organizational and unit standards;Promotes and is accountable for the safety and security of the clinical and correctional environment through conscientious observations, and sensitive item contraband control.Minimum Qualifications:Education/Licensure/Certification/Experience: Applicant must possess a current, valid license from the State of Colorado as:A Licensed Addiction Counselor (LAC) or Addiction Counselor Candidate (ADDC)ORApplicant must possess a certification as a Certified Addiction Specialist (CAT) and a license as Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT), Licensed Clinical Social Worker (CSW), or Licensed Psychologist (PSY).Required Competencies:Ability to provide direct behavioral health care to inmates;Ability to provide comprehensive clinical documentation;Ability to work independently;Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to collaborate effectively across facility programs and with external stakeholders;Excellent verbal and written communication skills;Must maintain certification/licensure as an addiction counselor;Ability to work with a diverse population of inmates;Strong organizing, planning and prioritizing skills;Keen ability to multi-task and demonstrate flexibility;Ability to provide addiction counseling as part of a multi-disciplinary team;Ability to be creative when implementing therapeutic interventions;Ability to read and comprehend the English language;Ability to effectively communicate fluently in English both verbally and in writing;Ability to create accessible documents and technical content that follows plain language guidelines with accessibility in mind.Self-control, a strong sense of ability to work in stressful, potentially violent situations;Ability to remain alert, emotionally stable, and mentally resilient under pressure and observant throughout their shift;Tolerance to stress, confinement, and high-stakes interaction.Preferred Qualifications:Experience providing addiction treatment to an incarcerated population;Experience providing addiction treatment to a diverse population;Experience working with highly resistive clients;Experience administering multidimensional substance use assessments;Experience providing addiction counseling in an inpatient and outpatient setting.Only applicants who meet the minimum and special qualifications shall be considered for this announcement.