Counselor

SUMMARY: The Counselor works as an integral part of the Clinical Team. The Counselor will perform, but is not limited to, the following duties: administration of program record-keeping, conducting interviews, intakes, one-on-one and group counseling, execution of treatment and aftercare plans and the observation of medications and drug screening. This position will provide oversight of a structured setting where the consumers are kept safe and secure in a trauma-free environment; when necessary perform CPR. This position may require a flexible schedule including 1st and 2nd shifts which will include some Saturdays and holidays. The Agency has the right to change shifts based on the needs of the organization.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Position Specific Duties

• Conduct screening and intake interviews to determine consumer eligibility for services.
• Provide consumer orientation on program services and requirements.
• Conduct confidential, quality assessments that are gender and culturally responsive and trauma informed.
• Develop, implement, and monitor an individualized treatment/service plan with each assigned consumer using collaborative information from all sources to develop short and long term goals.
• Possess knowledge effective treatment modalities such as cognitive therapy, motivational interviewing and trauma informed techniques and Integrated Treatment in individual, group and family sessions.
• Meet, collaborate and coordinate services with probation/parole, employment and educational agencies, Department of
• Children and Families (DCF), human services providers, medical and primary care, clinical mental/behavioral health, and family/social support.
• Link consumers to services provided by community-based organizations such as peer support groups, legal services, nutritional counseling, and HIV rapid retesting and Hepatitis B and C testing and other sexually transmitted infections.
• Assist consumers with enrollment to obtain health insurance, Medicaid, and other benefits such as SNAP, SSI/SSDI and TANF.
• Provide consumer education in finances, housing stability, behavioral and primary health, life skills and all aspects of addiction and related life domains.
• Provide crisis intervention by assessing severity of the episode, de-escalating the consumer, referring to emergency response team as needed, and developing a safety plan to assist in resolving the crisis.
• Assist with resume writing, interview skills, employment search and enrollment into employment/educational programs.
• Develop and coordinate discharge planning with consumer, family, housing, and other community providers.
• Collect, prepare and supervise drug screenings as well as administer breathalyzer as needed.
• Maintain an ongoing awareness of consumer’s mental health status adding services to maintain a therapeutic level of care as needs change.
• Ability to count, document and observe consumers taking various prescription drugs.
• Ability to climb three flights of stairs to conduct rounds on an hourly basis and deal with emergencies.
• Ability to respond to emergency situations by placing calls to Fire, Rescue, Police, and Medical, etc.

Administrative Tasks:

• Complete all required paperwork including documentation in the program log in a timely manner.
• Perform program recordkeeping and filing, and organize vital documents.
• Provide telephone coverage for the assigned program and direct calls to other programs as needed.
• Participate in required supervisions, staff meetings and trainings.
• Participate and cooperate in any investigations conducted by internal and external agencies.
• Ability to use a computer including inputting information into data systems.
• Compliance Requirements:
• Remain awake during your shift at all times.
• Attend all mandatory trainings and update all licenses and certifications.
• Adhere to program/project/department requirements and services.
• Comply with the established protocol for medication management/distribution.
• Follow all reporting guidelines by deadlines including the completion of a Confidential Incident Report. 

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: The Counselor must perform each essential function satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. The qualifications listed below are representative of the knowledge/skill and/or ability required.

• Bachelor’s degree in behavioral sciences from an accredited college or university preferred or is a licensed (LADC)/certified (CADAC) drug counselor or is the process of obtaining licensure or minimum of two years’ work experience providing services to those affected by substance use disorders.
• Requires CPR certification every two years.
• Good working knowledge of computers, electronic health records and data collection.
• Requires valid driver’s license due to business-related travel may be required.