Job Title:

Addiction Counselor

Job Category:

Clinical

Job Description

The Addiction Counselor is responsible for providing addiction counseling, education, and support to individuals, families, and groups, within the organization. The qualified candidate will work closely with the Executive Director, Clinical Director and other clinical staff, in accordance with State and Federal Regulations to provide care for individuals seeking substance abuse services.

Job Duties and Responsibilities:

• Make referrals to the most appropriate programs and agencies to help clients access the right level of care to best meet their treatment needs
• Use a strengths-based and trauma-informed approach to work collaboratively with clients and with the interdisciplinary team members to help support clients in their treatment and recovery
• Provide clinical consultation to referral resources to family members, and others to help support clients in their recovery
• Work closely with clients to engage them in the decision-making process and help them understand the benefits of assessment and accessing the appropriate level of care as indicated
• Conduct confidential, quality ASAM and safety assessments, that are trauma-informed, utilizing the ASAM criteria to determine the appropriate level of care; assessments may be conducted in the community or at an outside facility.
• Use a strengths-based and trauma-informed approach to work collaboratively with clients and internal and external treatment team members to help support clients in their treatment and recovery
• Provide clinical consultation to referral resources, mentors, family members, and others to help support clients in their recovery
• Prepares and conducts educational program and lectures on scheduled topics related to relapse prevention, life skills, problem solving, anger management and domestic violence and so forth.
• Prepare and conduct group counseling utilizing Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Motivational Enhancement Therapy (MET), and Therapeutic Community Counseling (TC) 3-4 days per week.
• Facilitates discussion and interaction and enables group members to understand and accept responsibility for recovery process and acquire necessary coping and behavior management skills
• Prepares and conducts educational program and lectures on scheduled topics related to relapse prevention, life skills, problem solving, anger management and domestic violence etc.
• Work closely with clients to engage them in the decision-making process and help them understand the benefits of assessment and accessing the appropriate level of care as indicated.
• Coordinate with the Office Manager to have clients to confirm appointment dates, times, and assessment locations
• Collect information from collateral resources to aid in determining diagnosis and need for treatment
• Monitor client access to and involvement with treatment and other providers to help address barriers to treatment and the recovery process; follow up with client within seven days of referral to assess process and client’s satisfaction with adjusting to the program
• Model and support health and wellness activities and healthy coping skills for clients
• Work cooperatively with the community-based organizations to ensure coordination of services when appropriate
• Complete paperwork requirements and maintain quality, up-to-date clinical records, including group notes, individual notes, transition plans, treatment plans, (OP every 90 days, IOP every 30 days), discharge plans, Outcomes Survey information and information for invoicing.
• Enter necessary information into the clients ‘file.
• Maintain working knowledge of other drug and alcohol treatment agencies and programs and a list of resources that can be shared with clients
• Capable of working within a multi-disciplinary team to provide prevention, assessment, referral, clinical counselling and follow-up services to individuals and family members affected by mental health and substance use issues.
• Remain in compliance with internal and external policies, procedures, regulations, and standards, including all of program policies and procedures and Quality Assurance Plan, accreditation requirements, State Licensing standards, and managed care/Medicaid regulations
• May be required to perform urine, saliva or hair collections, for client participating in the random drug screening program.
• Participate in all assigned meetings, staff development, and training as required

Job Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Social Work, Counseling, or related field plus one year of clinical experience in an alcohol or other drugs (AOD) or mental health setting preferred
• Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Counseling, or related field with two or more years in an AOD or mental health setting
• Master’s Level Certified Addiction Professional (MCAP), Certified Addiction Professional (CAP), Certified Addiction Counselor (CAC),
• Combination of comparable skills, experience, and education
• Experience working in urban environment or with gender-responsive care preferred
• Understanding and supportive of a trauma-informed system of care
• Experience with trauma-informed services, cognitive behavioral therapies including DBT, and motivational therapies including the use of incentives preferred
• Personal recovery experience not required, however, knowledge of recovery support systems and 12-Step programs preferred
• Strong interpersonal and engagement skills
• Strong organizational and time-management skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Strong computer skills required
• Fingerprint clearance, and pass drug test, physical exam, and clear TB test
• Ability to support the agency’s mission and philosophy, and demonstrate sensitivity to cultural diversity and workplace harmony
• Value for and ability to deliver excellent customer service
• Self-directed and flexible to meet the needs of administration and management
• Valid driver’s license, use of a reliable vehicle to transport clients and families and documentation of required vehicle insurance

Competencies

• Social Skills—the individual professionally interacts with employees and clients and models a positive teamwork attitude.
• Assessment Skills— Working knowledge of differential diagnosis of common mental / substance use disorders, evidence-based psychosocial treatments for common mental disorders and familiarity with brief, structured counseling techniques (e.g., Motivational Interviewing, Behavioral Activation).
• Problem solving—the individual identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner and gathers and analyzes information skillfully.
• Leadership—the individual inspires and motivates others to perform well, accepts feedback from others.
• Quality management—the individual looks for ways to improve and promote quality and demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness.
• Judgment—the individual displays willingness to make decisions, exhibits sound, accurate, and ethical judgment and makes timely decisions.
• Planning/organizing—the individual prioritizes and plans work activities, uses time efficiently and develops realistic action plans.
• Safety and security—the individual observes safety and security procedures and uses equipment and materials properly.
• Interpersonal skills—the individual maintains confidentiality, remains open to others’ ideas, and exhibits willingness to try new things.
• Oral communication—the individual speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations and demonstrates one-on-one and group presentation skills.
• Written communication—the individual edits work for spelling and grammar, presents data effectively and can read and interpret written information.

• Physical & Environmental Requirements:

The position may require you to occasionally stoop, kneel or crouch. * Must be able to occasionally lift 10-15 lbs.

• This position requires that the employee sit for 5-8 hours and stand for 2-3 hours.
• Must be able to follow all safety rules related to treatment.

Employee Signature:

Date:

Program Representative Signature:

Date:

Job Types: Full-time, Part-time, Contract

Pay: $23.00 - $40.00 per hour

Expected hours: 40 per week

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Flexible schedule
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday

Experience:

• Addiction counseling: 2 years (Required)

License/Certification:

• professional license certified addiction counselor (Required)

Ability to Relocate:

• Baltimore, MD 21202: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person