Addiction Counselor

The addiction counselor will provide leadership for Project Cornerstone, an onsite residential recovery program for men experiencing homelessness and addiction with average length of stay 13 – 18 months. This is an abstinence-based program which focuses on the disease model of addiction and incorporates the 12-step recovery model. This program was founded in 1995 and is part of Samaritan Ministries.

Established in 1981, Samaritan Ministries has a 44-year history of providing food, shelter and hope through Christian love. Programs follow a low-barrier, housing-first and trauma-informed approach. Our goal is to be a safe and encouraging place to help people stabilize, find housing and move forward with their lives.

Job Duties

Establish goals and evaluate program success.

• Work with behavioral health team leadership to establish goals for overall program success as well as for individual Cornerstone guests.
• Expectation for 60-80% of guests who enter the program to complete it and move to housing.
• ·Success is also measured qualitatively through guest stories of individual success.

Provide intensive case management to all Cornerstone participants.

• Conduct assessments to determine the nature and severity of Cornerstone guest substance abuse issues, physical needs, mental health.
• Provide appropriate referrals for specific guest needs and follow up with healthcare providers, therapists, social workers and other professionals to ensure treatment plans are followed. Ensure that basic needs and mainstream benefits are secured.
• Offer group and individual counseling sessions centered around addiction education, recovery, and life skills.
• Connect guests to local AA/NA community and ensure they have appropriate sponsors to support their recovery long-term.
• Plan and execute activities that encourage team building, healthy socialization and spiritual growth for Cornerstone participants
• Track guest progress through detailed and timely records and case notes.
• Provide crisis intervention and de-escalation as needed in collaboration with other Samaritan staff.
• Collaborate with other agencies to provide services and housing placement for participants.

Aftercare

• Provide weekly class targeted to former participants to further strengthen their recovery and support network.
• Create group outings or special meals to bring the Cornerstone network together to not only support current men in the program but also give ongoing support for sobriety.

Program Recruitment

• Follow a monthly plan for sharing the Cornerstone opportunity with shelter guests, treatment facilities, other shelters and agencies.
• Maintain a minimum of 75-80% bed capacity.

Training & Development

• Participate in training and development at Samaritan and in the community for professional growth, knowledge of population served and maintenance of licensure.
• Funding and time off for professional development is available.
• Stay current on trends and new opportunities in the recovery field.

Qualifications
Minimum 3-5 years-experience in providing counseling in a crisis environment, using trauma-informed models, proficient in motivational interviewing and connecting to community resources/care coordination. Superior communication skills and record-keeping. Proficiency in MS Word, Excel and database management. Preference will be given to candidates with Certified Alcohol & Drug Counselor (CADC), Substance Use & Addiction Specialist (SUAS) track in MSW program, or Licensed Clinical Addition Specialist (LCAS). Lived experience with addiction and/or homelessness is a plus.

Work Schedule
Monday – Friday, 8:30 am – 5:00 pm. Required attendance at all Samaritan special events (three per year) as well as Volunteer Appreciation. Occasional weekend or evening events with Project Cornerstone guests.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $55,000.00 - $65,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 403(b)
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Retirement plan

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift

License/Certification:

• CADC, LCAS or MSW (Preferred)

Ability to Commute:

• Winston-Salem, NC 27105 (Required)

Ability to Relocate:

• Winston-Salem, NC 27105: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $55,000 - $65,000