Counselor

Overview

To work directly with clients of the Assertive Community Treatment Team (ACT) by using the evidence base practice model of ACT designed by NAMI to provide comprehensive and wrap around services to address client goals of mental health, physical health, housing, employment, social goals, and other goals as identified by the client. To provide assessment and develop treatment plan goals. To work with the client and fellow team members towards meeting the outcome objectives and standards put forth by Polk County Health Services (PCHS). To provide vocational supports to clients of the ACT team as well as assist in educating and coordinating with team members to meet client vocational needs.

Responsibilities

Client Service :

Assess the needs of clients and develop goals that will allow them to achieve the greatest level of independence in their community.

Provide skills teaching to clients and work with them and other team members to creatively explore alternatives to hospitalization, higher level of care, homelessness and incarceration.

Advocate for clients to help meet their needs, desires and best interests.

Utilize critical thinking in making independent judgements and maintain responsibility and accountability for service provided.

Knowledge of the effects of mental illness and the ability to relate respectfully to clients with a wide range of abilities and diagnoses.

Ability to meet clients in their homes or in public places with ability to drive safely, and a willingness to transport clients in own vehicle.

Possess teamwork skills including problem solving, cooperation, negotiating, etc.

Ability to receive medication management certificate within first 3 months of hire to be able to administer medications to clients in their homes and in the community while keeping medication manager certificate for duration of employment.

Ability to work some evenings and weekends which includes carrying the 24 hours on-call client crisis line and delivering medications as well as providing crisis triage services via phone an potential on scene.

Continue professional development and involvement in professional activities that enhance service provision.

Substance Use Supports :

Provide multiple-stage individual and group treatment in the office and in community settings to develop a trusting relationship with clients so that they may more freely discuss substance use and its effect on mental health and physical health and daily functioning.

May participate in setting treatment goals and plans with clients to reduce or abstain from substance use and learn replacement behaviors.

Coordinate with outside inpatient services to detoxify clients and establish linkage to outpatient treatment, self-help programs (e.g., Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous), outpatient services and residential facilities.

Participate in the provision of rehabilitation services.

Provide education to clients and coworkers regarding substance use issues and duel diagnosis as well as resources for support in recovery.

Documentation :

Complete all documentation within established guidelines.

Ability to prioritize client need and to complete required written documentation.

Demonstrate an understanding of all funder and accreditation standards.

Track and document monthly outcome objectives.

Qualifications

Education : Bachelor’s degree required. Human services or related field preferred.

Experience : Working with individual's with mental illness and substance use concerns & preference of 2 years of experience in the field of substance abuse; or any equivalent combination of training and experience that provides the following knowledge, abilities, and skills. Lived Experience.

License(s) / Certification(s) : Iowa and Illinois : Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC); Wisconsin : Substance Abuse Counselor (SAC). Could be working toward their CADC as a tCADC, or SAC-IT (for Wisconsin). Ability to obtain medication manager certificate within first 3 months of hire.

Knowledge / Skills / Abilities : Ability to speak, read and write fluent English. Ability to read and comprehend common terminology of the mental health field. Ability to enter documentation in an EHR and use Microsoft Office. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from clients, medical professionals, management, staff and the public.

Other : Use of usual and customary equipment used to perform essential functions of the position.