Substance Abuse Counselor

Job Description

Job Description

Job Summary

Provides substance abuse counseling to persons in the ACCS program. To teach recovery skills, educates and promotes skills to reduce substance use. 

• Adheres to all applicable state and federal regulations; ensures compliance with the organization’s policies and procedures, code of conduct, and all applicable regulatory requirements.
• Provides short-term individual and group counseling services.
• Attends local and out of area hospital/program meetings for newly referred persons. 
• Attends hospital discharge meetings locally or out of area. [LB1.1]
• Communicates all events (e.g., hospital admissions, discharges, detox admissions, incarcerations, assaults, etc.).[LB2.1]
• Provides clinical oversight to Persons on the Group Living Environment (GLE) and Integrated teams.
• Develops Person-Centered Treatment Plans that incorporate attainable and achievable goals, which are individually strength based, including personal preferences, incorporating the cultural and linguistic needs of the person and includes person Limited Assistance Representative (LAR) and support network (i.e., family, friends, clergy, etc.)  
• Attends weekly team meetings and facilitates recovery meetings.
• Facilitates case consultations at sites in collaboration with the Clinical Director.
• Coordinates and facilitates treatment and team meetings, ensuring that interpretive services are provided for primary non-English speaking/reading individuals, and ensures legally authorized representatives are included and well informed. 
• Meets with each person at least once weekly for check-in.
• Develops clinical plans to support the ACCS team and person while incorporating natural and community supports.
• Develops and incorporates wellness initiatives and plans to support persons.
• Develops plans that include harm reduction for persons using substances and participating in high-risk situations.
• Collaborates directly with the Care Coordinators and DMH case managers.
• Delivers substance abuse, recovery, and stages of change trainings to staff in all ACCS settings.
• Completes substance abuse assessment and design treatment plan.
• Completes all necessary paperwork in a timely manner.
• Coordinates treatment components and communicates with all Integrated Team members.
• Provides treatment to educate persons of substance use through a Harm Reeducation approach, connecting to community programs (e.g., 12-step, wellness, counseling, day structure, etc.)
• Provides consultation to community agencies on substance abuse issues upon request.
• Serves in the Clinician/Licensed Practitioner of the Healing Arts (LPHA) role when warranted.

• High school diploma or equivalent; Bachelor’s Degree preferred.
• Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC), Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LADC) I and/or LADC II in Massachusetts.
• Prior experience in providing individual and group substance abuse counseling.
• Excellent knowledge of the dynamics of substance abuse treatment intervention and education.
• Basic knowledge and skill in diagnostic and treatment planning.
• Basic knowledge of computers.
• Basic knowledge of community resources.
• Excellent oral & presentation skills.
• Basic leadership skills.
• Ability to work on an interdisciplinary team.
• Ability to be flexible to meet newly enrolled Persons including weekends, evenings, etc.
• Ability to delegate effectively.
• Ability to facilitate groups in other community locations.
• Valid driver’s license and use of personally insured vehicle for agency business.