Substance Abuse Counselor

SIGN ON BONUS: $1000 paid out after 90 days of employment

Requirements: Must have a Bachelors or Masters in Human Services or related field. CSAC-S, CSAC, Resident in Counseling, or Supervisee in Social Work required.

The Counselor is responsible for assisting patients in identifying, maximizing, and relating their strengths to appropriate social, educational (academic and vocational), and occupational goals. The Counselor is also responsible for helping the patients prepare and adjust to a drug free existence, and to offer assistance (emotional and physical) in problematic issues. The Counselor is responsible to the Counselor Supervisor or Program Director for provision of services to assigned patients and adherence to schedules, established program policies and procedures, and applicable federal, state, local and accrediting agency regulatory requirements.

The Counselor will perform duties within the scope of their license or certification which are an addendum to this job description.

The key responsibilities of the Counselor include but are not limited to:

• Conduct alcohol and drug abuse counseling sessions on a regular basis per state regulation, or as part of the individual treatment plan
• Mental health counseling may be provided based on program and qualifications of clinician
• Provide services according to the required hours, which may vary depending on services
• Conduct group counseling sessions as required
• Orient patients to the treatment program’s operation and procedures
• Collect available social, educational, economic, and vocational information to be used as part of the assessment process
• Implement or revise patient treatment plans with the patient as required by state regulation and record a review of the patient’s progress according to BHG policy
• Develop within (10) days of entry or as required by state guidelines, whichever is more stringent, a formal treatment plan documenting patient goals and update utilizing the same guidelines
• Maintain patient records that are complete, comprehensive and well organized
• Submit records for periodic review as requested by supervisory team
• Document all patient contacts. If other team members provide services to the patient, the assigned counselor is responsible for seeing that such contacts are documented in the patient’s chart
• Make appropriate referrals through case-management services and perform necessary follow-up
• Assist the Program Director in implementing new programs into patient treatment
• Advise the Program Director of problems encountered with caseload management and schedules
• Attend weekly treatment team meetings prepared to both lead the discussion where appropriate and discuss his/her assigned individual patient caseload
• Provide in-service training to counselors and other treatment center team members as needed
• Maintain a basic understanding of alcohol/drug abuse and addiction. Additionally, stay up to date on current drug abuse and treatment information, especially current trends in Opioid Maintenance Treatment
• Provide intake/readmission services, including several weeks of supportive follow-up counseling for new patients until their assignment to a primary counselor
• Provide, monitor, and document follow-up calls/contact to all discharging patients for at least 30 days
• Provide crisis intervention/support services to patients assigned to other counselors when their primary counselor is unavailable
• Provide inter-agency reports/documentation required for third party reimbursement, criminal justice proceedings, supplemental income assessments, emergency services, and other specialized treatment needs of patients as applicable
• Coordinate care with other community providers as needed
• Meet BHG attendance standards and be present and ready for work at the beginning of established work schedule
• Perform OBOT services as required
• Report any work-related injury or illness, or workplace hazards or security issues immediately to supervisor
• Other duties as assigned by supervisory team

• Responsible for complying with all federal, state and local regulatory agency requirements
• Responsible for complying with all accrediting agencies

• Participate in community and public relations activities as assigned

• Responsible for the achievement of assigned specific goals, objectives, and metrics
• Responsible for mentoring and training counseling team members regarding best practices in counseling and skills necessary to engage patients in treatment
• Demonstrate the belief that addiction is a brain disease, not a moral failing
• Demonstrates hope, respect, and caring in all interactions with patients and fellow team members
• Establish and maintain positive relationships in the workplace
• Can work independently and under pressure while handling multiple tasks simultaneously
• Make decisions and use good judgment with confidential and sensitive issues
• Deal appropriately with others in stressful or other…