Substance Abuse Counselor

Addiction Counselor/Therapist Job Description:

The counselor is responsible for delivering excellent quality direct clinical care for primary clients enrolled in our program. Counselors are responsible for obtaining assessment data from assigned clients, the development and management of the client treatment experience, planning of the treatment modalities and interventions to meet the needs of clients and their families, setting goals of treatment and admission, coordinating the length of stay as related to diagnosis, facilitating communication among all disciplines, evaluating of competency of staff and ensuring quality care, timely affordable patient outcomes and preventing duplication or fragmentation of services.

 

Competencies: This position should have sufficient preparedness in the following areas:

·      Ability to screen clients for risk to self or others, identifying clients in need of additional clinical support

·      Complete initial needs assessment for aftercare planning

·      Coordination of care with community providers, including hospitalizations and recovery residences

·      Discharges/aftercare planning

·      Recognize the importance of family and support systems in the treatment and discharge process

·      Familiar with and able to apply Recovery Model to treatment development

·      Group Therapy, curriculum development and facilitation skills

·      Employs innovative, creative, and flexible strategies and approaches to maximize clients recovery processes.

·      Crisis prevention, intervention, and management skills

·      Triage skills to appropriately involve other staff when indicated (or emergency personnel in community)

·      Able to complete documentation in electronic health record in a timely manner

·      Proficient at utilizing, reading, and understanding the DSM-IV TR and/or DSM V.

·      Demonstrates urgency, consistency, and professionalism regarding all Tangu responsibilities

·      Communicates effectively and promptly with all stakeholders

·      Shows attention to customer service in addition to clinical services for clients, families, staff, community professionals, and all other invested agents of the organization

·      Participate in continuing professional development

·      Good Driving Record

·      Knowledge of CPR and First Aid Procedure and involvement in provided training at Tangu

·      Utilizes and adheres to HIPAA standards and Tangu Confidentiality Policy

·      Practices within the ethical guidelines of licensing board and Tangu

·      Always exhibits professional conduct while representing Tangu

·      Knowledge of emergency procedures for fire, disaster, and unplanned incidents

 

Education: Must meet one of the following:

·       Certified Addiction Counselor Level I with at least 2 years of relevant work experience.

·       Certified Addiction Counselor Level II with a Bachelors Degree in related field (i.e. Psychology, Social Work, Counseling, etc.).

·       Masters degree in related field (i.e.; Psychology, Social Work, Counseling, etc.) and/or two (2) + years of clinical experience in the mental health field.

Experience: At least two years direct experience in a Disease Concept based treatment program, or at least five years experience in a Disease Concept based treatment program.

Personnel Policy:

1.     Observes professional dress code by wearing business casual attire.

2.     Refrains from social relationships with clients or their families during treatment and during the time that the clients are normally eligible for After-Care service.

3.     Maintains clearly defined boundaries and effectively sets limits with clients and staff members.

4.     Maintains high levels of ethics and respect for co-workers, visitors, clients, family, and program staff.

5.     Arrives to work and is ready to begin in a timely manner.

6.     Follow Tangu policy regarding absences and request for time-off in an appropriate manner.

7.     Ability to follow Tangu Program Policies/Procedures.