Credentialed Alcoholism & Substance Abuse Counselor

The individual will conduct pre-treatment screenings, intake evaluations, and provide ongoing treatment adherence and relapse prevention counseling to individuals in the Medication Assisted Treatment program. Under the supervision of the Director for Addiction Medicine, the individual will serve as a Case Manager for each patient to ensure that services are coordinated to meet each assessed need.

Responsibilities:

• Conduct pre-treatment telephone screenings to assess patients’ eligibility for Medication-Assisted Treatment services.
• Conduct chemical dependency evaluations and intake appointments utilizing alcohol and drug abuse assessment tools to determine appropriate treatment needs and levels of care.
• Assist with facilitating chemical dependency treatment services not provided in the Damian system, utilizing community resources.
• Orients patients about program goals, objectives, rules and regulations, patient obligations, rights, and program operations.
• Provides education and information to the patient about alcohol and drug abuse.
• Provide individual counseling utilizing evidence-based treatment approaches (e.g. motivational interviewing, stages of change, anger management, contingency management, and cognitive behavioral therapy).
• Participate in ongoing MAT case conferences to oversee treatment compliance along with the MAT treatment team.
• Assist with managing provider schedules and monitoring patient census to ensure compliance with MAT treatment standards.
• Participates in community outreach and development activities to drive and maintain patient census. Maintain an up-to-date database of referral information and resources.
• Adhere to generally accepted ethical and behavioral standards of conduct in the counseling relationship.
• Performs all required documentation in the patients’ electronic medical record on a timely basis.
• Conforms to all policies and regulations governing patient rights and confidentiality.
• Maintain an atmosphere of courtesy and respect toward patients, families, co-workers, and external customers.
• Demonstrate respect for the cultural and religious diversities and needs of patients and family members.
• Participates in community outreach programs, as assigned.
• Conforms to Company policies regarding attendance and dress code; maintains a well-groomed and neat appearance. Maintains good personal hygiene.
• Performs all related duties as requested and assigned by supervision.

• Current and valid certificate issued by the Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse, CASAC.
• Minimum of one year experience working in the social services field with individuals with serious substance use disorders, prior Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) experience is preferred.
• Excellent written and verbal bilingual communication skills.
• Must be compassionate, patient, and a problem solver.
• Demonstrates knowledge of a variety of models and theories of addiction and other chemical abuse and or dependence-related problems.
• Ability to utilize various counseling strategies and develop treatment plans
• Ability to understand the value of an interdisciplinary approach to chemical abuse and or dependence treatment.
• Understands the importance of family, social networks, and community systems in the treatment and recovery process.
• Possess the ability to incorporate the special needs of diverse racial and ethnic cultures and special populations into clinical practice, including their distinct patterns of communication.
• Computer literate.