Therapist, Substance Use (Foley)

Responsibilities

Primary Job Functions:

Clinical Responsibilities:

• Provides effective clinical assessment and placement of the consumer.
• Utilizes assessment data to support a DSMV substance use and mental health diagnosis.
• Formulates appropriate treatment plan along with consumer.
• Provides individual, group, and family therapy, utilizing basic therapeutic models and theories according to consumer needs as stated in the treatment plan.
• Demonstrates the ability to recognize the elements of a crisis state and knows how to deescalate or resolve the situation.
• Effectively collaborates with the treatment team members and outside sources in the delivery of clinical services.
• Evaluates the consumer for discharge planning.
• Adheres to professional code of ethics.
• Effectively demonstrates the application of substance use specific competencies.
• Provides HIV/AIDS education, counseling, and testing when necessary.
• Conducts random observed UA’s of same sex consumers

Supervision and Consultation:

• Seeks clinical supervision and consultation as needed.
• Accepts and employs suggestions for improvement.
• Actively works to enhance clinical skills.

Clinical Record Keeping:

• Documents in a timely fashion per AltaPointe policy
• Documents appropriate, complete, and clinically comprehensive mental health assessments
• Documents measurable and specific goals in the treatment plan
• Documents in a clear and concise manner, types of consumer problems, treatment goals addressed, services, and evidence-based techniques employed.
• Documents case disposition, case closings, follow-up, and referrals.

Case Load Management:

• Effectively manages caseload based on consumer needs.
• Meets AltaPointe productivity standards.

Courteous and respectful towards consumers, visitors, and co-workers

• Treats consumers with care, dignity, and compassion
• Respects consumer’s privacy and confidentiality
• Is pleasant and cooperative with others.
• Assists consumers and visitors as needed.
• Personal values don’t inhibit ability to relate and care for others.
• Is sensitive to the consumer’s needs, expectations and individual differences.
• Is gentle and calm to consumers and families.

Administrative and Other Related Duties as Assigned:

• Actively participates in Performance Improvement activities.
• Actively participates in AltaPointe committees as required.
• Completes assigned tasks in a timely manner.
• Accesses appropriate community resources according to consumer needs.
• Follows AltaPointe policies and procedures.
• Maintains current license and requirements for renewals (i.e., CEU's), if applicable, and attends regular workshops and in-services.
• Any other duties that are assigned by supervisor.
• Attends to required in-service training and other workshops.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications: 

Master’s degree in a mental health discipline.  NAADAC or AADAA certification to be obtained within 18 months of hire. 

LPC, LCSW, or LMFT with two years of substance abuse experience preferred.

Knowledge in adult specialty, outlined below, to be attained within (6) six months of employment.

• Knowledge of psychiatric disorders in the adult population
• Knowledge of the nature of substance use disorder as a primary illness.
• Knowledge of gender specific issues relative to substance use.
• Knowledge of substance use treatment principles.
• Knowledge of twelve-step support groups such as AA, NA, CA, Celebrate Recovery, and other self-help groups.
• Understands the dynamics of co-dependency of addicted individuals and other typical behaviors of these consumers, such as denial and manipulation.
• Understands the behavioral, psychological, physical health and social effects of psychoactive drugs, including alcohol and tobacco, on the consumer and significant others.
• Knowledge of helping strategies for reducing the negative effects of substance use and dependency and how to tailor strategies and treatment modalities to the consumer’s stage of dependency, change or recovery.
• Knowledge of medical and pharmaceutical resources in the treatment of addictive disease and other substance related disorders.
• Knowledge of cultural diversity.
• Basic knowledge of the criminal justice system including court hearings, judges, court referral officers, probation officers if applicable.
• Knowledge of the risk for illnesses among IV drug users such as HIV/AIDS and T.B.
• Basic knowledge of psychiatric disorders in the adult population for referral purposes or co-occurring diagnosis treatment.
• Knowledge of substance use disorder opioid and alcohol medication assisted treatment medications and their expected clinical.
• Knowledge of behavioral management, crisis intervention to consumers with substance use issues.

In addition, for Medication Assisted Treatment programs:

Knowledge of opioid substitution therapy and its expected clinical effect (prevent withdrawal symptoms, reduce, or eliminate craving and block the effect of any other illicit or self-administered opioids. Knowledge of program specific regulations.