Addictions Health Counselor

Addiction Counselor

Under the direction of the Clinical Supervisor and medical direction from the Chief Physician, will provide counseling services in determining and assisting in the resolution of addiction and substance abuse.

Responsibilities

• Establish and maintain positive relationships with patients, visitors, and other employees. Interacts professionally, courteously, and appropriately with patients, visitors and other employees. Behaves in a manner consistent with maintaining and furthering a positive public perception of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Health Center and its employees.
• Contributes to and participates in the Performance/Quality Improvement activities of the assigned department. Contribution and participation includes data collection, analysis, implementation of and compliance with risk management and claims activities, support of and participation in Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) teams, consistent adherence to the specific rules and regulations of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Health Center (a) Safety and Security Policies, (b) Risk Management: Incident and Occurrence Reporting, (c) Infection Control Policies and Procedures and (d) Patient and Customer Service.
• Performs pre-screening or admissions for the purpose of assessment of the substance abused by the patient, treatment needs, coverage verification and appropriateness of the unit in accordance with hospital standards.
• Carries an active caseload of patients as may be assigned.
• Compiles a psychosocial history on each patient and performs other essential data gathering activities and records accurately in accordance with hospital standards.
• Develops individual treatment plans as a member of a multi-disciplinary team in accordance with hospital standards.
• Maintains adequate patient records of all pertinent involvement with the program in accordance with hospital standards.
• Evaluates attitudes and degree of motivation for the purpose of discharge planning, follow-up treatment and referral.
• Performs crisis intervention with patient and/or family in accordance with hospital standards.
• Explains and clarifies to patients the purpose of the various treatment modalities and their functions and how such programs may be of service to them.
• Collaborates with inter-disciplinary treatment team in providing patient care.

Coordinates further treatment pertaining to substance abuse.

• Maintains accurate patient records and upholds the confidentiality of all records concerning patients as mandated by Federal guidelines of confidentiality and hospital standards.
• May perform auricular detoxification acupuncture, if trained and certified in this treatment modality, under the supervision of a licensed acupuncturist.
• Maintains contact with outside agencies to accept and make referrals.
• Presents cases as per schedule and records recommendations in the case record under the interdisciplinary case conference treatment planning process.
• May be assigned to work in other services of the Department of Psychiatry.

Qualifications

• Ability is required to understand medical and psychiatric terminology and principles, to communicate with people of diverse backgrounds and education levels, to prepare reports and to evaluate and present appropriate service plans.
• Completion of an approved course to provide Auricular Detoxification Acupuncture as an adjunctive treatment in New York State approved treatment program under the supervision of a licensed or certified acupuncturist.
• CASAC Certification by NYS OASAS (Legally Required) (Policy Requirement)
• High School or GED (Required)
• Bachelor's (Preferred)