What are the responsibilities and job description for the Addiction Specialist position at Project 180?
Title: Addiction Specialist (I-III), ICMS
Division: Project 180
Pay Scale: $24.45-$29.66/hour
The Organization
SSG-Project 180 turns lives around through innovative, wraparound services that keep people out of
institutions and in their communities. Project 180 is a leader in the forensic treatment space, offering
high-quality, specialized treatment programs that serve thousands of justice-involved individuals. Our
programs span criminal justice intercepts and include pre-arrest interventions, court-based diversions, jail in-reach, and intensive post-release services. Project 180 operates in partnership with County agencies including the Department of Mental Health (DMH), the Department of Health Services (DHS), and the Justice, Care and Opportunities Department (JCOD).
The Program
The Intensive Case Management Services (ICMS) program is funded by the Department of Health
Service (DHS) Office of Diversion and Reentry. The ODR/ICMS program provides intensive wraparound
services to the high-need/high-barrier behavioral health population in the LA County jail system. The
program provides both interim and permanent supportive housing for some of the most underserved or
highest utilizers in the county system.
The Position
The ICMS Addiction Specialist will work within an interdisciplinary team to provide substance support
for mutual clients with a forensic dual-diagnosed background, to help them establish permanent
supportive housing. The ICMS Addiction Specialist is responsible for developing and implementing
comprehensive treatment plans for clients in collaboration with clients’ treatment teams, coordinating
substance treatment services, and conducting individual and group sessions to assist with substance
recovery. A successful addiction specialist serves as a clinical expert on the treatment team. They are able to develop strong working relationships with clients and support them in making measurable progress towards their individualized substance recovery goals. This position reports to the ICMS Senior Clinical Supervisor. Job title (I-III) to be established based on years of relevant experience.
Essential Functions:
Provide field-based direct client care via individual and group treatment:
- Actively engage clients in services through the development of strong rapport, consistent contact and use of motivational interviewing. Provide outreach services by meeting clients “where they are at” (service location, client’s point of view).
- Ensure service delivery is consistent with ethical standards within a harm reduction, strength-based, trauma-informed framework.
- Provide individual and group substance counseling to support clients in their individualized recovery goals. Client recovery goals may include, but are not limited to: increasing safety, decreasing substance use, and abstaining from substances.
- Facilitate weekly substance psychoeducational and support groups as needed at client housing sites.
- Conduct urine analysis tests as indicated by a client’s treatment plan.
- Develop and maintain partnerships with substance treatment facilities, both for inpatient residential settings and intensive outpatient services (IOP).
- Link clients to needed community resources to support substance recovery. Monitor ongoing participation in services/use of resources and facilitate problem solving to target barriers.
- Accompany clients to linkage appointments when appropriate.
- Collaborate with external substance treatment partners to ensure high quality, integrated care.
- Actively contribute to planning and execution of interventions in collaboration with the treatment team to promote client care.
- Participate in coordinated interventions with other members of the treatment team, both in-office and in the field.
- Collaborate with external partners (i.e. probation/parole officers, court staff, LASD, residential substance treatment facilities, primary care clinics, etc) to ensure high quality, integrated care.
- Maintain comprehensive case notes in the electronic health record per program guidelines.
- Maintain and submit billing records per program guidelines
- Participate in program data collection per program guidelines.
- Regular attendance required. Holiday or weekend work may be required.
- Maintain and uphold Agency mission statement, values, policies, procedures, and principles.
- Perform other duties as needed.
- Maintain active license and/or registrations as applicable (ie BBS, CCAPP)
- Clinical Expertise: Provides substance support with a focus on high-quality service delivery.
- Empathetic, clear and effective verbal and electronic communication, and excellent listening skills to build strong relationships.
- Culturally competent: Understands and is sensitive to diverse backgrounds and needs.
- Resourceful: Efficiently navigates and utilizes available resources.
- Collaborative: Able to work in diverse teams to solve complex issues.
- Adaptive and flexible to changing circumstances and client needs in a dynamic environment.
- Excellent critical thinking and problem-solving skills, remains calm and emotionally-regulated under pressure.
- Courteous, respectful and helpful with others. Maintains appropriate professional boundaries.
- Proactive: Anticipates potential issues, and takes the initiative for the benefit of client care.
- Detail-oriented, organized and has strong time management skills.
Required:
- Registered or certified as substance abuse counselor from CCAPP
- Experience working with culturally diverse populations.
- Valid CA driver’s license, proof of insurance and own vehicle required. Ability to transport clients in their personal vehicle.
- Must not be on any type of legal supervision (probation or parole).
- Verification of Employment Eligibility and Background Check.
- Basic computer skills
- Lived experience with homelessness, mental health/substance use recovery, or the criminal justice system.
- Experience working with the forensic and/or dual diagnosed populations.
- Experience working on an interdisciplinary team in a mental health or outpatient setting.
- Knowledge of and experience with providing trauma-informed services.
- Spanish-speaking
$24.45-$29.66
Supervisory Responsibilities
None
Environmental Conditions (Working Conditions)
Job duties are to be performed both in office and field settings throughout LA County.
Physical Requirements
The employee is expected to move about the worksite throughout the day, which may involve walking,
standing, and climbing stairs, or using a mobility device, or similar. The employee is expected to drive,
carry a maximum of 20 lbs, listen, and speak in order to complete job requirements.
Mental Requirements
The employee must be able to do any/all of the following: perform complex and varied tasks such as
synthesizing information and making decisions without immediate supervision; handle routine
distractions, interruptions, noise, and uncontrollable changes in priorities/work schedules; interact
professionally and diplomatically in high-stress situations; create and follow plans; meet deadlines.
Salary : $24 - $30
