Substance Abuse Counselor Certified

Job Description

Job Description

About Us:

VOALA

Helping Our Most Vulnerable Change Their Life Stories

Volunteers of America is a non-profit human services organization committed to serving people in need, strengthening families, and building communities. VOALA provides a variety of social services to Los Angeles area communities such as Head Start programs, Upward Bound college prep programs, veterans’ services, homeless facilities, low-income housing program as well as drug and alcohol rehabilitation. Learn more at

PAY RATE: $26.44 - $27.83 Per Hour

BENEFITS: VOALA offers competitive medical, dental, vision and retirement benefits.

JOB SUMMARY AND PURPOSE

The Certified Substance Abuse Counselor is responsible for the provision of alcohol and drug treatment services to clients and their families, engaging in treatment plan process with therapist and case manager and ongoing clinical documentation to support the whole person care of the client. This position reports to the Clinical Program Manager and/or Area Clinical Assistant Director, who will supervise the duties and job performance

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• As -part of a multi-disciplinary Case Management team, performs primary alcohol and drug counseling functions including screening, assessment, and intake;
  • Provides one on one mentoring and support to clients
  • Teaches clients independent living and problem-solving skills – develop, plan and initiate methods of exposing clients to healthy lifestyle activities designed to alter former lifestyles, attitudes, images and other negative behavioral patterns.
  • Acts as advocate for client before outside social service and legal organizations
• Collaborate with Case Manager and therapist to ensure that critical linkages to support services meeting the medical, mental health, housing and education needs of the participant are consistently and effectively delivered;
  • As part of the Case Management Team, conducts crisis intervention
  • Leads or coordinates group, individual, and educational sessions
  • Coordinates treatment services with members of the multidisciplinary Case Management team
  • Conducts discharge and transition planning; drafts discharge summary
• Meets regularly with supervisor and multidisciplinary Case Management Team to ensure the implementation of prescribed treatment protocol, the success of the client in the execution of the treatment/case plan.
  • Attend and participate in scheduled supervision meetings with assigned supervisor;
  • Attend and participate in shift exchange meetings, case conferences, staff meetings and other treatment team meetings in accordance with program needs
• Ensures timely and accurate records are kept, both hard (paper) copy and electronic health records. These records shall document all treatments and client progress, including records of client self-administration of prescribed medication.
  • The Counselor shall monitor Self-administration of medication, and shall monitor and collect drug screens as may be required.
  • All record-keeping shall support client’s privacy rights under HIPAA, be in accord with State and Federal law, and VOALA policy and procedure.
  • Prepare reports as required by funder.
• Adheres to professional standards of care and conduct, as set forth by licensure/certification, including ongoing professional education and organizational training sessions as may be required.
• Transports program participants to scheduled appointments, events and meetings as may be required and as assigned.
• Assist with program and outreach events as may be required.
• Participates in coverage of telephone hotline, pursuant to organization training and procedure.
• Other duties as may be required to support HUD-VASH mission and goals.

ESSENTIAL ABILITY ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Ability to work and deal with difficult, uncooperative, and potentially aggressive clients as VOALA serves the neediest of the needy in our programs, which may include clients with homelessness, mental illness, substance abuse, recently released from incarceration, and other challenges. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

• Services for this position must be provided on-site. As a result, the position requires incumbents to report to work on-site each day of active employment.
• SCREENING AND ASSESSMENT: Perform client screening, intake, orientation, and assessment functions necessary to complete admission to the residential program, and screen for continuing stay criteria based on ASAM Criteria.
• TREATMENT AND COUNSELLING: 
  • Deliver treatment using trauma informed approach and evidence based practice protocols
  • Provide individual, group and family therapeutic counseling
  • Act as client advocate to agencies and persons when appropriate
• COORDINATION WITHIN TEAM:
  • Respond to client crises and emergencies as needed
  • Coordinates treatment services with members of the multidisciplinary Case Management team
  • Conducts discharge and transition planning; drafts discharge summary
• RECORDKEEPING: Provides complete, timely, and accurate documentation of all treatment in Electronic Health Record system and client files, ensuring confidentiality as required by HIPAA.
• PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT:
  • Participates in routine clinical supervision with supervisor
  • Attend staff meetings, case conferences, required training to ensure continuum and quality of care.
  • Performs required professional education and program training

MANDATED REPORTER

As service providers to the underprivileged and vulnerable in our community, all employees are considered Mandated Reporters, and must report any instance of physical or sexual abuse to proper authorities.

Qualifications

REQUIREMENTS:

• Must be able to pass a fingerprint clearance, background check, including criminal history, personal references, employment and education verifications
• Must meet Funder Approval
• Current TB screening and Immunization Records (within 5 days of hire)
• Copy of Current Professional License (if applicable)
• Current BLS Certification (within 15 days of hire)
• Valid Real ID or US Passport
• Completion of all required trainings (within 30 days of hire)
• Ability to perform under circumstances of possible emotional stress and conflicts dealing with difficult, uncooperative, and potentially aggressive clients as VOALA serves the neediest of the needy in our programs which may include clients with homelessness, mental-illness, substance abuse, recently released from incarceration and other challenges.

EDUCATION:

• Bachelor’s Degree
• Alcohol and Drug Counseling Certification by an approved accrediting organization (CCAPP, CADTP or CADEE)

EXPERIENCE:

• A minimum of one year’s experience in the provision of SUD treatment services

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience working with the target population
• Strong crisis management skills
• Conflict resolution & de-escalation skills
• Demonstrated ability with EHR
• Bilingual Spanish preferred

Volunteers of America is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected Veteran Status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

This employer participates in E-Verify as required by the federal government and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.

If E-Verify cannot confirm that you are authorized to work, this employer is required to give you written instructions and an opportunity to contact Department of Homeland Security (DHS) or Social Security Administration (SSA) so you can begin to resolve the issue before the employer can take any action against you, including terminating your employment.