Certified Substance Abuse Counselor

Job Description

Certified Substance Abuse Counselor

OVERVIEW:

SCHEDULE AND SALARY: This is a full-time position, with early evening hours occasionally. Schedule to be determined at hire.

This vital member of the Community Access Network’s (CAN) healthcare team provides clinical therapeutic services promoting health and wellness in our integrated primary care medical practice. These services include cognitive behavioral, motivational interviewing, and trauma informed individual therapy, with opportunities to provide group therapy and family therapy, encompassing the essential functions listed below. This member works with individuals in different places of their substance use recovery to support harm reduction. This position provides support to Comprehensive Harm Reduction program which is a grant funded program from Virginia Department of Health. This position provides support, assistance, linkage, referral, and advocacy services to patients who engage with CHR. This team member practices under the legal and ethical obligations of their field and licensure, providing billable services when possible.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Provides clinical therapeutic services as part of an appropriate treatment plan, in accordance with licensing and funding requirements.
• Conducts face to face assessments, discerning each patient’s symptoms and level of functioning, to inform accurate diagnoses and ensure appropriate treatment plans.
• Provides crisis intervention as needed.
• Works alongside Behavioral Health, Population Health, and CAREs team to improve the culture in our lobby, by modeling appropriate patient interactions to other CAN staff, and providing de-escalation when necessary.
• Maintains accurate and timely records of activities, therapy notes, and services in CAN’s electronic health record.
• Coordinates and collaborates with CAN primary care and psychiatric providers to improve health outcomes.
• Engages in rapport building with each patient while ensuring linkage to services.
• Educates patients on navigating Community Access Network services and as needed, links patients directly to necessary community resources.
• Informs patients of available community services and assists with providing them with appropriate information.
• Works to meet patient needs effectively and resolve individual barriers through follow‐up, advocacy and collaboration with CAN staff and other community service providers.
• Participates in case conference, team meetings, and periodic training opportunities.
• Other duties as assigned to support the mission of the organization.

PRODUCTIVITY EXPECTATIONS

• Fulfill grant requirements to include but not limited to patient engagement opportunities, needle exchange, linkage to care, and testing and treatment for HIV, HEP B and C.

NECESSARY SKILLS/QUALIFICATIONS:

• Current Virginia license as a CSAC or Licensed Substance Abuse Therapist.
• At least two years of experience providing direct clinical/treatment services to persons with a diagnosis of substance use disorder.
• Experience in the following areas:

o psychosocial assessment

o individual therapy/short‐term, evidence‐based counseling

o crisis intervention

o motivational interviewing

• Understanding of psychopharmacology, medication assisted therapy and comprehensive harm reduction practices
• Sensitivity and experience working with people of diverse racial, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds
• Familiarity and comfort working with issues related to sexual health and sexual identity and/or history of trauma
• Interest in or current practice of trauma informed care
• Knowledge of Integrated Behavioral Health models
• Strong administrative skills and proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook) and ability to learn new electronic health record and practice management software.
• Strong interpersonal, written and oral communication skills; proven ability to communicate with diverse audiences
• Criminal background check and clearance

Job Type: Full-time

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Ability to Commute:

• Lynchburg, VA 24504 (Required)

Work Location: In person