SUD Counselor - Outpatient

The Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Counselor - Provisional QHP provides diagnostic assessments, evaluations, interventions, referrals and alcoholism and/or substance use disorder counseling in both individual and group settings with a goal to establish and maintain recovery and relapse prevention. Services occur within the context of a multidisciplinary treatment team approach.

Essential Job Functions

· Performs initial and ongoing assessments of clients' needs, motivations, and backgrounds; prepares substance use bio-psychosocial/assessment summaries in order to determine appropriate level of care

· Provides individual, family and group counseling, therapeutic intervention, and/or substance use education classes to clients to assist them in recognizing problems and causal factors related to substance use and developing alternative/coping behaviors.

· Develops, revises, and implements treatment plans in cooperation with clients to assist them in remaining substance-free and coping with social, marital, legal, financial, and/or employment problems.

· Meets productivity requirements by utilizing various techniques to engage clients and minimize failed appointments and maintaining an acceptable case load which engages and motivates clients throughout treatment.

· Performs follow-up activities for outpatients and/or aftercare clients to obtain referral services such as support group counseling, halfway house counseling, and/or vocational training etc.

· Effectively utilizes agency’s medical records software program(s) to complete required medical record documentation in a timely and comprehensive manner and in compliance with NYS OASAS and federal regulations including Public Health Law, 42CFR and patient confidentiality policies.

Secondary Functions

· Collaborate with other care providers and referral sources to increase understanding of client issues and assets.

· Participates as a contributing member of an interdisciplinary team in coordination and delivery of client care.

· Participates in professional supervision and education that supports continuous improvement of client care including weekly case management staff meetings.

· Consistently reviews policies and procedures and stays abreast of current laws, regulations and policies.

· Must work to obtain CASAC credential.

· Performs other related work as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

· Intermediary knowledge of substance use disorder and the effects on the individual and family members including human behavior, attitudes, and motivations and their applicability in the treatment/rehabilitation of the substance use disorder.

· Intermediary knowledge of substance use disorder counseling and treatment principles, practices, and techniques and competent knowledge of individual and group behavior including interviewing techniques.

· Familiar with the resources available to individuals with substance use disorder.

· Ability to recognize symptoms of substance use disorder and elicit information concerning underlying reasons for addiction.

· Ability to effectively manage a caseload of substance use disorder clients, conduct substance use disorder assessments, write bio-psychosocial assessment summaries, and develop client progress reports and evaluations.

· Ability to accurately prepare and maintain documentation of services, treatment records, and reports utilizing computer databases and software programs including proficiency with spreadsheets.

· Excellent communication skills both written and verbal.

· Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff, volunteers, and the general public.

Physical Demands

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job duties. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to be able to:

· Use a computer including keyboard and mouse operations; visual and/or auditory capacity.

· The employee may lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds

The SUD counselor must be able to prioritize situations and manage time, and may find that they are needed at irregular hours causing fatigue and stress. The Counselor may experience stress and stress related symptoms due to interacting with clients in crisis. S/he may be exposed to illness and unsanitary conditions so must take care to protect their own health. They may also have to manage physically threatening clients and be prepared to be responsible for their own safety, and the safety of others.

Work Environment

The employee is expected to adhere to strict policies/regulations relative to being in a tobacco and alcohol free workplace. Work is performed in a normal office environment.

Qualifications

Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree with a major in human services, psychology, social work, counseling, nursing (with a clinical specialty in the human services) or other related field and 3 years of experience in a health or human service agency, preferably in a drug and alcohol setting.

OR

Master’s degree preferred with major in psychology, social work, counseling, or nursing (with a clinical specialty in the human services) or other related field and 2 years of clinical experience in a health or human service agency, preferably in a drug and alcohol setting.

Must successfully complete additional training requirements based on NYS OASAS standards, which include:

- Medications for Addiction Treatment (MAT) – 3 hours

- Introductory training to addiction

n CASAC Canon of Ethics – 6 hours

n Confidentiality related to 42CFR – 3 hours

The referenced pay range represents the minimum and maximum compensation for this job. Individual annual salaries/hourly rates will be set within the job's compensation range, and will be determined by considering factors including, but not limited to, market data, education, experience, qualifications, expertise of the individual, and internal equity considerations.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $19.00 - $24.50 per hour

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Day shift
• Evening shift

Education:

• Bachelor's (Required)

Experience:

• Addiction Counseling: 3 years (Preferred)
• Clinical Counseling: 3 years (Preferred)

License/Certification:

• Drivers License (Required)
• CASAC-T, CASAC (Preferred)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $19 - $25