Substance Use Specialist (IMT)

Description

Organization Overview: The Goddard Riverside Community Center (Goddard Riverside) and the Stanley M. Isaacs Neighborhood Center (Isaacs Center) are well-established Manhattan community-based agencies that support services to approximately 30,000 New Yorkers. We are two of New York City’s leading human services organizations meeting the needs of children, youth and families, homeless individuals, and older adults through-out Manhattan and New York City. We work every day for a fair and just society where all people have the opportunity to make choices that lead to better lives for themselves and their families.

Program Description: The Intensive Mobile Treatment (IMT) Team provides treatment and support services for individuals with frequent interaction with the mental health, substance abuse, criminal justice and homeless services systems and have been poorly served by traditional treatment models. IMT teams stay connected to individuals regardless of their location in shelter, on the street, in housing, hospital or jail.  

Position Summary: The Substance Use Specialist is responsible for providing counseling, case management services and daily support regarding substance abuse and co-occurring issues. The Substance Use Specialist is an active member of the multidisciplinary IMT treatment team with a specialization in co-occurring disorders. The Substance Use Specialist will practice according to the principles of recovery oriented and trauma informed service delivery.

Schedule: Monday-Friday 9:00am to 5:00pm

Salary Range: $56,000-$65,000

Candidates must have the required qualifications to be considered for the position. The salary offer will be based on the candidate’s number of years experience in the exact or comparable position and additional preferred qualifications will be taken into account.

Roles, Responsibilities, and Essential Duties

1) Harm Reduction Services 

• Plan, lead and document activities for Co-Occurring Disorder (CoD) support group  

• Attend OMH and other training programs on Harm Reduction services 

• Research Harm Reduction services and serve as liaison to programs 

• Serve as a consultant to the IMT team on Harm Reduction services 

•  

  Assist in the creation of harm reduction kits for IMT clients

• Identify new and creative methods of harm reduction to implement at the IMT program

• Be comfortable with the use of various harm reduction methods related to substance use as well as other topics.

2) Provide case management services  

• Carry a caseload of IMT clients 

• Perform client assessments and formulate treatment goals 

• Facilitate client participation in entitlement programs, psychiatric services, medications management, rehabilitation and other activities 

• Refer clients to community health services 

• Accompany clients to appointments as needed 

• Communicate regularly with clients’ families about their needs and progress 

• Serve as liaison to other service providers 

• Maintain up-to-date client case records according to program guidelines  

• Visit clients in residential facilities, hospitals, on the street and in other locations  

• Rotate on-call service after outside work hours 

3) Participate as an IMT team member 

• Attend staff meetings, case conferences, and training programs to upgrade skills and knowledge 

• Attend supervision meetings to review client progress and case management strategies 

• Work collaboratively with IMT team staff in a team case management model 

4) Other duties as required 

Qualifications/Educational Requirements 

• Master's degree in social work or in a related field with experience working with individuals with substance use; or Bachelor’s degree and CASAC 

Skills, Knowledge and Abilities 

• Experience working with individuals with co-occurring substance use and mental health diagnoses

• Strong written and verbal skills

• Ability to speak Spanish is a plus

• Driver’s license is a plus

Computer Skills: To perform this job successfully, an individual should be 

• Able to work in the Microsoft Office Suite, should especially be proficient in Word, Outlook, and Excel 

• Able to use or learn to use AWARDS database  

• Able to use or learn other electronic databases, programs, and funder-related software as needed such NIMRS and Maven 

Physical Requirements/Work Environment 

• Walking; Climbing stairs occasionally 

• Field work required; Must be able to travel throughout the 5 boroughs 

We are committed to building an inclusive workplace community grounded in respect for differences. We support hiring a broadly diverse team of qualified individuals who will contribute to our organizations.

Goddard Riverside and Isaacs Center provide equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, national origin, age, disability, marital or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.

The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of duties and responsibilities that will be required of this position and title and shall not be construed as a declaration of the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position. Employees may be requested to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description. This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

Salary : $56,000 - $65,000