Licensed Addictions Counselor (LAC)

Job Description

Great Falls Pre-Release Services, Inc.

Position:                     Licensed Addictions Counselor (LAC)          Job Classification:            Non-Exempt

Reports To:                Treatment Services Director

Supervises:                Partial supervision over residents and other assigned personnel as necessary to perform related duties.

Position Scope:          Up to 250 Residents participating in a Residential Re-Entry Program.

Position Summary:

The Great Falls Pre-Release Center is a non-profit Community Corrections worksite consisting of three Counseling campuses.  The campuses are minimum security and residential in nature, housing closely screened and selected for program acceptance, adult male and female felon offenders during their structured transition program for re-entry into the community.  The Center also operates a Jail Alternative program for adult male/female clients and a Community Service program involving adjudicated males and females.

 

The Center performs work which involves the application of principles and practices of the Licensed Addictions Counseling (LAC) or Substance Use Disorder (SUD) profession. The LAC provides a variety of basic counseling services and performs related duties. 

Key Responsibilities and Duties:

1.         Participate in staffing and training sessions. 

2.         Conduct intake evaluations and assessments.  Assist residents with formulation and presentation of proposals concerning special individual/group needs and activities.  Work closely with Mental Health staff to help identify co-occurring disorders and formulate suitable treatment plans.

3.         Provide treatment in both group and one on one session’s regarding Chemical Dependency (CD) or Substance Use Disorder (SUD) issues.  Make referrals to a variety of social services and medical resources as needed.  Provide emergency and crisis intervention services as needed.

4.         Secure professional data, interpret and evaluate the data, develop recommendations and write clear and accurate reports.  Maintain complete clinical records on all clients.

5.         Provide consultation to other staff members as requested and participate in staffing of cases.  Participate in staff training and attend staff meetings.  

6.         In conjunction with Program Manager, Treatment Services Director, Treatment Coordinator, Executive Director, and Board of Directors, assist in the development of new programs and policies.

7.         Provide consultation and education services to individuals, agencies, institutions and groups as assigned.  Assist with developing contractual service agreements with other agencies.

8.         Accept assignments as necessary at the direction of the Executive Director, Treatment Services Director, Program Manager, or Treatment Coordinator. 

9.         May participate in screening process of new referrals to the Center as requested.  Shall be available as requested for public relations duties necessary to educate the public regarding services provided.

10.       Follow standards of conduct and ethics requirements.

11.       Must have a personal commitment to helping those affected by chemical dependency or substance use disorder. 

12.       Knowledge of related self-help groups and experience working with local resources.

13.       Commitment to professional growth in skills which refine and enhance performance of duties, such as seeking out and completing continuing education credits or other professional training opportunities.  

14.       Must have the ability to stay current with changes, not only in the field of CD or SUD, but also with changes from the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) and the Montana Department of Corrections (DOC). Must be aware that sometimes these requirements may go against the LAC’s personal opinions and beliefs. 

15.       Show ongoing improvement in the quality, quantity and diversity of services.

16.       Must be willing to work with residents in the Medically Assisted Treatment program. 

17.       The reasonable demands of this position require that if the counselor has been diagnosed as chemically dependent by a LAC, he or she must have two years or more of current, continuous sobriety.  This requirement is job related and consistent with business necessity due to the nature of the addiction work performed by the counselor. 

18.       Will work directly with adult offenders in a residential or community corrections facility.

19.       Will facilitate individual sessions and develop individual treatment plans with residents to address substance use disorders.

20.       Will facilitate groups and programming in line with agency approved models. 

21.       Other duties as assigned.

 

Qualifications and Skills:

·       Education must be sufficient to meet all requirements of eligibility for licensure by the State of Montana. 

·       Bachelor’s degree in Human Services or related filed and two years experience in CD or SUD treatment. 

·       Completion of a one-year addiction counselor training program is suggested. 

·       Montana State Licensed Addictions Counselor Certified Chemical Dependency Counselor, certifiable within one year, certified in another state which is transferable, or Nationally certified. 

·       One year’s experience as an addiction’s counselor is preferred. Ideally this experience will have taken place in the field of corrections and/or rehabilitation.

·       Thorough knowledge of the field of chemical dependency or substance use disorder and of local community resources available for the ongoing treatment. 

·       Must have ability to design, organize, and implement an individualized treatment plan for each resident. 

·       Must have ability to organize and manage time effectively and to keep records orderly and up to date.

·       Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with center staff, Board of Directors and community-based agencies.

·       Effective verbal and written communication and must maintain a mature and empathic personality.

 

The LAC is responsible for informing their supervisor of significant developments related to the Great Falls Pre-Release Center. Such issues are to be reported expediently, based the LAC’s assessment of the importance of the issue. Examples include:

 

Any resident involvement in the legal system or in violation of program rules and regulations.

Threats of legal action.

Public Relations concerns.

Resident complaints.

Fraternization issues.

Medical incidents/accidents.

Repair needs for the facility or vehicles.

Schedule changes, leave requests, reporting in sick, and any unauthorized departures from the center. 

Any suspected or confirmed violation of agency rules by a resident.

 

The LAC is expected to report to his or her supervisor in an expedient fashion all areas of noncompliance with program procedures, along with suggested remedial plans or interventions.

 

The LAC is expected to be flexible in assuming new duties and schedule changes. The LAC is to be creative in establishing or modifying program operational procedures, and obtaining approval of the appropriate authority previous to implementation.