ACT Substance Abuse Therapist

Overview

PURPOSE STATEMENT:

Assess, diagnose and provide clinical services for those with behavioral health disorders

Responsibilities

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

· Apply psychotherapeutic techniques and interventions in the delivery of services to individuals and families for the purpose of treating such diagnosed emotional and behavioral disorders.

· Conduct a psychosocial assessment and develop an initial discharge plan.

· Conduct individual, group or family sessions as appropriate for the treatment plan of the patient.

· Provide initial treatment planning for patient based on assessment and coordinate any additional services needed, revising as necessary.

· Maintain documentation of therapy services provided to each patient according to facility and professional standards and revising as indicated by facility or professional standard.

· Maintain a caseload as assigned.

· Participate in treatment team meetings and collaborate with other staff to facilitate services for the patient, as appropriate to their treatment plan.

· May provide these services in an inpatient or outpatient setting.

· May perform case management, discharge or after care planning as needed.

· Demonstrate a positive, empathetic and professional attitude towards customers always. When patient needs are not met, acknowledge and work to resolve complaints. Recognize that patient safety is a top priority.

OTHER FUNCTIONS:

· Perform other functions and tasks as assigned.

Qualifications

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE/SKILL REQUIREMENTS:

· Master's degree in Social Work, Psychology, Counseling or Human Services field required.

· One or more years’ experience working with comparable patient population required.

LICENSES/DESIGNATIONS/CERTIFICATIONS:

· Requisite state or national licensure for professional therapy providers or eligible for state licensure as a professional therapy provider.

· CPR and de-escalation/restraint certification required (training available upon hire and offered by facility).

· First aid may be required based on state or facility.

Substance Abuse Specialist: One or More Substance Abuse Specialists having full certification as an addictions counselor or a co-occurring disorders professional by a statewide certification body which is a member of a National Certification Body, or certified by another state government's certification board, shall be designated the role of substance abuse specialist(s).

The ACT team shall provide most of the substance abuse treatment services for consumers with serious mental illness and co-existing substance abuse disorders. the most effective assessment and treatment approaches employ and integrated treatment model in which mental health and substance abuse treatment are provided simultaneously. The Substance Abuse Specialist provided integrated, stage-wise treatment as the lead clinician for assessing, planning, and treating substance use disorders. Core treatment services provided by the Substance Abuse Specialist include, but are not limited to: 

• Systematic and integrated screening and assessment;
• Interventions that are tailored to those in early stages of change readiness (e.g., outreach, motivational interviewing);
• Interventions tailored to those in later stages of change readiness (e.g., cognitive behavioral therapy, relapse prevention).

Additionally, the Substance Abuse Specialist will perform the following functions within the team: 

• Modeling skills and individual consultation;
• Cross-training other staff to help them identify substance use issues, monitor progress in treatment, and provide stage-wise treatment for dual disorders;
• Attending all daily organizational staff meetings; and
• Attending all treatment planning meetings for consumers with dual disorders.

While this job description is intended to be an accurate reflection of the requirements of the job, management reserves the right to add or remove duties from particular jobs when circumstances (e.g. emergencies, changes in workload, rush jobs or technological developments) dictate.

We are committed to providing equal  employment opportunities to all applicants for employment regardless of an individual’s characteristics protected by applicable state, federal and local laws.

TOWBH