AOD Counselor

Alcohol And Drug Counselor

Shift: Sunday-Thursday; 8:30am-5:00pm or 9:00am-5:30pm

Reporting to the Clinical Manager, the Alcohol and Drug (AOD) Counselor is responsible for individual service coordination for patients enrolled in Phoenix House Adult/Adolescent Residential/Outpatient Services, including supporting a successful transition back into the community. In collaboration with the Clinical Manager, the AOD Counselor carries a patient caseload and supports the successful integration of medical care, substance abuse treatment, and other services within individual treatment plans.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

• Oversees coordination of Initial Assessment, Service Authorization Requirements, Treatment Plan, Treatment Plan Review, and goals with other supportive service plans, including, general medical care, Group Counseling, Patient Education, Individual Counseling, Crisis Intervention, Family Counseling, Collateral Services, and Discharge Services.
• Provides individual counseling services.
• Facilitates evidence-based treatment groups for assigned cohorts.
• Provides crisis intervention as needed by clients, residents, and families.
• Identifies and responds to crises that may negatively impact treatment and, where possible, uses negative events to enhance treatment efforts.
• Complies with productivity standards of the agency and maintains an appropriate caseload to reach the budgeted daily expectation of billable hours.
• Submits timely documentation (progress notes, assessments, treatment plans, notes to chart) as outlined in policy and measured via productivity reports.
• Maintains appropriate records such as ongoing progress notes, reports to referring agencies, discharge summaries and clinical case records as required by external stakeholders.
• Completes and maintains all documentation of services delivered, which includes individual records, group notes, and general communication logs. Provide clinical consultation to referral resources, family members, and others to help support clients in their recovery.
• Attends and participates in weekly staff meetings, case conferences, community meetings, and program and family gatherings.
• Monitor client access to and involvement with treatment and other providers to help address barriers to treatment and the recovery process.
• Determines a client's appropriateness for services using the ASAM criteria for substance abuse and/or dependence.
• Collaborates with members of the multi-disciplinary treatment team for the delivery of a full spectrum of clinical services.
• Communicates with approved family members with the goal of providing direct support to the entire unit of treatment. Encourages and facilitates family involvement in parent education, Sunday Family Group, and visitation.
• Model and support health and wellness activities and healthy coping skills for clients
• Effectively orients clients to the facility as needed by explaining issues including, but not limited to, rule infractions that may result in termination, the hours of service availability, clients' rights and the grievance procedure, and costs for which they may be responsible.
• Uses the appropriate forms and instrumentation to assess clients' strengths and weaknesses. Develops, with the clients' participation, treatment plans to address identified problems.
• With clients, ranks problems identified in the assessment process establishes immediate and long-term goals and determines the treatment process and resources to be utilized.
• Identifies and explores problems and their ramifications with attention to the clients' associated attitudes and feelings. With the clients' participation, examines alternative solutions and develops plans of action.
• Coordinates the delivery of service provisions and acts as an advocate in accessing other needed services.
• Interfaces with referral agencies including the Substance Abuse Prevention and Control, County and Federal Probation Departments, and Department of Health Care Services.
• Communicates with the Nursing Department and consulting physicians to ensure quality medical services are provided to the client in a timely and as-needed basis.
• Identifies program needs and suggests improvements to the Clinical Manager and/or VP, and Clinical Director.
• Complies with local, state and federal confidentiality laws and regulations.
• Attends all required staff training sessions in accordance with Phoenix House and state licensing requirements and completes all training on time.
• Attends and participates in program and all staff meetings.
• Adheres to and promotes the Phoenix House Mission, Vision, and Values while acting as a role model for others.
• Other duties as assigned.

Education/Experience/Credentials

• The AOD Counselor 1 shall possess a high school diploma or its equivalent; and be registered as an Alcohol and Drug (AOD) Counselor recognized by The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS), or
• The AOD Counselor 2 shall possess a minimum of a high school diploma or its equivalent; and be Certified as an Alcohol and Drug (AOD) Counselor recognized by The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS).
• Minimum of one-year prior experience in a related field.
• Bachelor's degree in a related field preferred.
• Must maintain a valid credential (if required for your position) during the course of your employment.
• Must obtain TB test clearance and update on a yearly basis.

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

• Demonstrated commitment and adherence to Phoenix House Mission, Vision, and Values: I CARE For– Integrity, Collaboration Appreciation, Respect, Excellence, and Forward-Thinking.
• Proficiency in MS Office systems.
• Ability to utilize an electronic healthcare record.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
• Communicate effectively with others both orally and in writing.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced changing environment.
• Ability to establish and consistently enforce appropriate boundaries with patients.
• Ability to model positive behavior and demeanor.
• Understanding of addiction, co-occurring models, and treatment modalities.
• Understanding of patient development and family systems.
• General understanding of the residential medical model of treatment, SUD treatment practices, group facilitation utilizing evidenced-based treatments and continuing care practices that lead to successful discharge transitions for all assigned patients.
• Excellent time management and organizational skills.
• Strong crisis management, conflict resolution, and de-escalation skills.
• Ability to be flexible, problem solver, self-directed, customer service-oriented, and collaborative.
• Skills and ability to engage and develop a rapport with patients and families of various backgrounds.
• Bilingual in Spanish preferred.

Mental Demands

Ability to actively engage with clients in a substance abuse and mental health treatment environment Stress tolerance; working in rural and/or urban environments, participating in client treatment outcomes. Memory and learning; ability to maintain in a constantly changing environment. Emotional intelligence; includes crisis intervention. Work environment: travel may be required (varies by location), in-office work.

Physical Demands

Ability to lift and move object as much as 25 pounds with or without assistance, can require extended periods of sitting, standing, walking, or being on your feet especially in the clinical and residential settings. May need to participate in outdoor or recreational activities with clients. Occasional repetitive tasks. Ability to conduct First Aid and CPR in the event of an emergency. Required to undergo regular health screenings such as but not limited to TB test, Covid testing, vaccinations, etc.

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