Licensed Addiction Counselor (LAC)

Licensed Addictions Counselor LAC/ACLC

Job Description:

• The Addiction Counselor is a currently licensed ACLC or LAC in the State of Montana who has an identified caseload and provides one on one counseling at a minimum of 1 time per week, provides small group therapy sessions and psychoeducation sessions. 
• As a member of a multidisciplinary team, is responsible for development and review of treatment plans, and completing all required documentation. 
• Provides family education sessions as required concerning the family involvement in the process of recovery. 
• Can provide staff coverage in any counseling area in the event of shortages, including intake, assessment, psychoeducation presentations, family sessions, individual sessions, group sessions, discharge planning, crisis intervention and overall case management.
• The Addiction Counselor is responsible for and supervised by the Clinical Director.
• This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position. 
• The employee will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by his/her supervisor.

Essential Job Functions:

• Conducts initial ASAM and biopsychosocial assessment upon admission and as part of continued stay reviews.
• Responsible for ensuring that treatment plans are developed within agency timelines and are updated weekly.
• Provides group counseling/therapy sessions as required by current treatment schedules.
• Provides individual counseling sessions with assigned caseload on a weekly basis or more frequently if needed.
• Presents educational sessions to the patient/client community including the use of audio/visual equipment, handouts, and exercises.
• Completes all required chart documentation consistent with Recovery Centers of Montana’s policies and procedures, within 72 hours.
• Participates in crisis intervention activities with patients as required by the situation.
• Consults with the mental health team for the Recovery Centers of Montana program as required to facilitate effective evaluation of patient needs.
• ACLC (Licensed addiction counselor Candidate, once hours are approved).
• Meets daily with the multidisciplinary team to facilitate review of individuals and changes in past shifts.
• Conducts family counseling sessions to explain the role of the family in recovery and makes recommendations for discharge planning with the family as required.
• Assists and participates in any special patient activities and recreational events, completes required documentation of patient responses.
• Accepts on-call counselor responsibilities on a rotating schedule.
• Facilitates referral to outside agencies, continuing care agencies, and special counseling agencies based upon patient need to ensure continuity of care post-discharge.
• Consults and interacts with probation officers, attorneys, protective service workers, etc. to act as a patient advocate and insure comprehensiveness of care.
• Attends and participates in all in-services, staff meetings, counselor meetings, and clinical meetings as required by Recovery Centers of Montana.
• Notifies the Clinical Director and Admissions when residents exit facility prior to graduation or when graduation dates change.
• Maintain professional boundaries.
• De-escalates conflict situations.
• Works positively with team members within the agency and with community providers.
• Other duties as assigned.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

• Ability to assess and to respond to the needs of adults, visitors, and family members.
• Understanding of the issues and relationships with a diverse group of people and demonstrates healthy interpersonal skills, a sense of humor, adaptability, and models a positive self-concept.
• Empathy and adequate communication skills (both verbal and written) to establish trusting relationships with clients.
• Available beyond a nine to five work hour with team support and be able to identify a crisis and to respond accordingly.
• Must be able to provide transportation, using own vehicle.
• Positive teamwork skills with other staff, residents, and other resources in the community.
• Computer skills sufficient to enter the required information concerning clients and related statistical data.
• Current, valid Montana State Driver’s License and comprehensive vehicle insurance.
• CPS and Criminal Background Checks.

Education/Experience:

• Current license as an ACLC or LAC.
• Current/Valid Montana Driver’s License.
• Positive attitude, good communication skills, ability to work with diverse populations and positive teamwork skills.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

• Ability to assess and to respond to the need’s adults, visitors, and family members.
• Understanding of the issues and relationships with a diverse group of people and demonstrates healthy interpersonal skills, a sense of humor, adaptability, and models a positive self-concept.
• Empathy and adequate communication skills (both verbal and written) to establish trusting relationships with clients.
• Available beyond a nine to five work hour with team support and be able to identify a crisis and to respond accordingly.
• Must be able to provide transportation, using own vehicle.
• Positive teamwork skills with other staff, residents, and other resources in the community.
• Computer skills sufficient to enter the required information concerning clients and related statistical data.
• Current, valid Montana State Driver’s License and comprehensive vehicle insurance.
• CPS and Criminal Background Checks.

Education/Experience:

• Current license as an ACLC or LAC.
• Current/Valid Montana Driver’s License.
• Positive attitude, good communication skills, ability to work with diverse populations and positive teamwork skills.