Substance Abuse Counselor

Substance Abuse Counselor

The Substance Abuse Counselor operates under the direction of the Health Services Coordinator/Manager to provide evidence-based substance abuse treatment and support to the inmate population. This role develops, implements, and evaluates treatment strategies and programs to address substance use disorders, co-occurring disorders, and related behavioral issues. The position requires a positive and supportive approach to promote inmate rehabilitation and compliance with agency policies, federal and state correctional health standards, and best practices in behavioral health care.

Qualifications:

• Education – Master's degree in clinical social work, psychology, counseling or related field
• Experience – Five (5) years substance abuse counseling experience; three (3) years administrative supervisory experience
• Valid Driver License
• Certifications – Substance Abuse Certification

Essential Job Functions:

• Maintain regular and prompt attendance and professionalism.
• Provide support to the medical department by evaluating inmates for withdrawal concerns.
• Develop, plan, and implement strategies for program continuation, growth, and improvement.
• Prioritize the use of evidence-based practices and research trends in correctional substance abuse programming.
• Conduct individual counseling sessions, group therapy, and didactic lectures with inmates.
• Develop individualized treatment plans and monitor inmate progress.
• Provide referrals to outpatient and inpatient treatment facilities prior to inmate release as needed.
• Coordinate referrals for Medication for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD) upon inmate request.
• Identify co-occurring mental health disorders and provide referrals to on-staff Licensed Mental Health Counselors (LMHC) or external agencies.
• Coordinate interviews and communication with outside agencies such as treatment facilities and case managers.
• Adhere to all federal, state, correctional health care standards, and agency policies, regulations, and guidelines.
• Participate in program reviews, evaluation of clinical issues, and updates to policies and procedures.
• Attend mandatory and continuing education and in-service training to maintain professional competency.
• Perform other duties as assigned to support the mission of the Health Services Division.

Required Skills:

• Knowledge of psychological testing, scoring, interpretation, and DSM-5-TR criteria.
• Understanding of a range of counseling and therapeutic techniques.
• Knowledge of clinical operations and procedures within correctional settings.
• Skill in interviewing and identifying substance use disorders and related behavioral issues.
• Ability to accurately assess patient presentations and develop individualized treatment plans.
• Competence in behavioral health counseling and therapeutic techniques.
• Ability to evaluate the effectiveness of programs and modify treatment approaches as necessary.
• Strong observational, assessment, and documentation skills for monitoring inmate progress.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with inmates, staff, and external agencies.
• Capacity to work effectively with a diverse inmate population and collaborate with multidisciplinary teams.
• Ability to supervise program implementation and maximize organizational effectiveness and sustainability.

Key Competencies:

• Evidence-based substance abuse treatment
• Behavioral health assessment and intervention
• Program planning, implementation, and evaluation
• Crisis intervention and problem solving
• Professional communication and documentation
• Multidisciplinary collaboration
• Ethical decision-making and confidentiality
• Cultural competence and diversity awareness

Physical Requirements:

• Sit up to 6 hours per day.
• Stand up to 4 hours per day.
• Walk up to 4 hours per day.
• Frequently lift up to 10 lbs.; occasionally lift up to 20 lbs.
• Frequently bend, reach, or twist.

The Walton County Sheriff's Office is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Walton County Sheriff's Office will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.

Veterans are encouraged to apply. Pursuant to applicable state and federal law, preference and priority shall be given to certain service members and veterans (including spouses and family members of such service members and veterans), and certain service members may be eligible for a waiver of post-secondary educational requirements as provided in Chapter 295, Florida Statutes.