Substance Abuse Counselor

Full Job Description

This position provides substance abuse counseling, case management and clinical group services. Counselors interact with clients on a day-to-day basis providing individual and group counseling, as well as engaging in rehabilitation activities as needed. Counselors provide substance abuse recovery skills and information and leadership necessary to provide clients with the ability to recover from substance abuse addiction. Counselor II shall be considered the senior counselor staff.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Assesses each client’s needs and develops an individualized treatment and recovery plan other case management services as determined by the treatment team (anger management, job search, AOD education, etc.)
• Ensures clients are informed of inappropriate behavior.
• Acts as facilitator in assigned groups including mixed gender and gender specific groups with gender specific trauma curriculum
• Develops and maintains a caseload as prescribed by the Program Manager
• Encourage team building feedback and problem solving in participants.
• Ensures that collateral services are provided as needed and that clients attend specialized groups or individual counseling sessions.
• Gathers information for assessment and diagnosis. Conducts intake interviews and completes comprehensive individual assessment as needed.
• Interacts therapeutically with clients. Initiates appropriate and timely interventions and integrates the clinical concept with sound theoretical and practical applications of rehabilitative and individual group and milieu counseling principles.
• Interacts with court and law enforcement officials as a team member and on a professional level while maintaining appropriate boundaries Comply with all charting and documentation requirements per contract, funding agency, and CAP policy
• Provides counseling support to clients and families and encourages family members and client significant others to participate in client stabilization and counseling services and be able to refer those needing specific services and support.
• Provides crisis intervention and refers clients to community health, HIV and TB clinics as necessary.
• Provides a variety of interventions including individual and group therapy and other relevant sobriety-related services to clients.
• Attends treatment meetings and provides input to treatment plan.
• Performs specimen collection and drug testing on same gender clients as required.
• Prepares and maintains assessments, treatment plans, progress notes and other records and documentation.
• Regularly provides and documents client progress with program requirements. Able to successfully input required progress notes and court summary information into computerized database in a timely manner.
• Transports clients when necessary.
• Demonstrates interest and growth in specialty area by attending relevant workshops, seminars and classes; shares this information with program staff
• Comply with all CAP and program rules, policies and procedures including HIPAA standards.

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities)

• Certification through a recognized alcohol and drug certification entity, required.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience working with alcohol and drug related issues/addictions, preferred.
• Valid California driver’s license and current auto insurance per contract requirements.
• Proficient user of Microsoft Office Suite and EHR software.
• Ability to problem solve and react appropriately to emergency situations
• Ability to work independently and effectively collaborate with a team.
• Must be able to communicate clearly, both in writing and orally, with employees, management, and co-workers
• Highly organized, thorough, and able to self-monitor work for quality
• CPR/First Aid certified

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