Addictions Counselor

Overview

Working as part of the behavioral health team, the Addictions Counselor provides outpatient substance use disorder treatment to homeless youth and adult clients. The Addictions Counselor, through engagement and reengagement, provides walk-in, intake, assessment and referral services. The Addictions Counselor also provides individual and group counseling to individuals that are experiencing homelessness and also present with substance use disorders.  

Key Role Responsibilities

• Provide substance abuse assessments and interventions to support the client’s overall health.  Demonstrates positive regard and respect for the client, and uses a client-centered, non-judgmental, trauma informed approach.  
• Provide direct clinical care by engaging and reengaging clients, assessing, and providing counseling services. Provides discharge planning for clients including referrals to for higher level of care when appropriate.  
• Facilitate groups designed to engage clients with substance use or co-occurring disorders into substance use treatment.
• Actively participate on a multidisciplinary team to develop and implement an integrated treatment plan that addresses each client’s unique needs using SMART goals, as well as contribute to interdisciplinary case conferences on an ongoing basis.
• Work closely with Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) prescribers and other medical staff to provide integrated care for clients receiving Suboxone.
• Support the behavioral health and MAT teams by providing consultation on addiction resources and referrals to higher levels of care.
• Complete documentation of services in a legible manner in accordance with established forms, formats and required timeframes within the client’s electronic health record.   Complete required paperwork and authorizations necessary for reimbursement for behavioral health services.

Key Agency Responsibilities 

In addition to role responsibilities, every staff member has the following responsibilities as a part of their employment:

• Models and reinforces the core values of dignity, authenticity, hope, justice, passion and balance.
• Actively participates in performance improvement and advocacy activities that support the mission 
• Protects clients’ personal health information by maintaining compliance with HIPAA and other relevant health care-related IT security regulations
• Performs other duties on an as-needed basis

Knowledge, Experience, and Skills 

Formal Education and Training

• A Bachelor’s degree human services required
• Licensed or certified by the Maryland Board of Professional Counselors in substance abuse counseling (ADT, CSC-AD, CAC-AD, LGADC or LCADC)

Experience  

• Two years of experience working with individuals with substance use disorders
• Knowledge of and commitment to harm reduction philosophy and practices
• Experience working with underserved populations, including individuals experiencing homelessness, preferred

Skills 

• Well-developed interpersonal skills necessary to engage clients and promote positive relationships with other community agencies and providers
• Strong interpersonal skills necessary to work with disadvantaged and underserved populations and to collaborate with other medical team members, other staff members, and personnel of other agencies
• Able to work in an interdisciplinary team
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Able to work with ill, disabled, emotionally upset and sometimes hostile individuals

Health Care for the Homeless is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to racial equity and inclusion. We make a particular effort to recruit and promote Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) for open positions. BIPOC, LGBTQIA individuals, people with disabilities, and people with other marginalized identities are encouraged to apply.