Substance Use Disorder Counselor

Description

DOTHOUSE MISSION STATEMENT

To be an essential resource for our community in its efforts to achieve the highest levels of health, well-being, and quality of life for its residents. To provide affordable, accessible, and exceptional health care and other essential services in an environment that respects our consumers, our staff, and our diverse community. To be a leading force for change in the health, economic and social status of our community.

SUMMARY:

The Substance Use Disorder Counselor is based in the Behavioral Health (BH) Department. The role is instrumental in our patient’s treatment and recovery. In this role, you will be in charge of assisting patients through medically assisting programs and offering techniques for handling all levels of addiction. The Substance Use Counselor conducts group sessions and individual sessions to assist with individual needs including but not limited to crisis management and psychoeducation. Additionally, the counselor will evaluate the patient’s progress during therapy. Substance use disorder counselors may also need to collaborate with the patient’s recovery coach, doctors, nurses, OBAT staff, and other health center staff, to coordinate the patient’s plan of care. The Counselor would be responsible for conducting assessments of a patient’s therapeutic needs, designing, and delivering counseling, providing education and resources on addiction and recovery, and advocating for access to addiction treatment and support services with the premise of Multiple Pathways of Recovery. The Substance Use Disorder Counselor will be under the general direction of the Director of Behavioral Health Services, in accordance with policies, procedures, and protocols established by DotHouse Health. The Substance Use Disorder Counselor develops an ongoing caseload with those who have a substance use disorder diagnosis (can be in remission). The Substance Use Disorder Counselor is required to follow all other appropriate standards of practice, licensing, and certificates, along with other regulatory agency requirements.

GENERAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

Clinical:

· Applies general knowledge of Substance counseling support services to clients and their families

· Ability to work with client to identify, develop, and assess needs and develop goals and treatment plans as it relates to their substance use

· Supports and teaches recovery and recovery tools and models personal responsibility

· Ability to work collaboratively with clients to assess their hopes, strengths, accomplishments, and challenges in regard to their goals.

· Supports clients in the self-management of crucial or crisis situation

· Educates individuals on the effects of substance use on their physical, social, and emotional lives

· Acknowledges Multiple Pathways of Recovery (Medication Assisted, Peer Based, Treatment Based etc…)

· Ability to assign appropriate assignments based off of client’s treatment plan

· Explores potential tracks for client (i.e. AA/NA or Alternative Track) and explores concepts within both tracks

· Demonstrates level of knowledge and skills within a specific activity to consistently meet or exceed service requirements.

Administrative:

• Attend bi-weekly Team Meetings.

• Attend regular individual supervision.

• Maintain and complete in a timely manner all appropriate clinical paperwork and documentation in compliance with the Behavioral Health department policies and procedures, including use of the EHR and use of DSM 5 coding as needed.

• Perform other duties as required by the position or as assigned by the BH Director. This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of all the activities, duties, and/or responsibilities that are required of this position. Duties and responsibilities are subject to change due to the organization’s needs at any time with or without previous notice.

Requirements

REQUIRED SKILLS & COMPETENCIES:

Preferred: Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor I or II OR Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor

Location: Must be located in the state of Massachusetts

.• Ability to work effectively with multidisciplinary staff and providers at external agencies.

• Professional, positive attitude, vision, and understanding of behavioral health integration within the primary care setting. 

• Must have demonstrated sensitivity to the healthcare needs of underserved and vulnerable populations

• Must be a team player who welcomes working across disciplines and departments. 

• Strong interpersonal skills, oral and written communication skills. 

• Can be flexible in approaches

• Familiarity with multicultural groups, previous work experience in a multicultural setting and willingness to remain current in field of focus is preferred.

 Software/Hardware: Basic computer knowledge. Experience with an electronic medical records system.