Substance Abuse Counselor-54533701

Travel is required to five boroughs.

JOB SUMMARY:

The Substance Abuse Counselor assists clients with understanding and managing substance abuse.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Conduct or review assessment information to determine the substance abuse needs and preferences of persons served;


• Provide individual counseling or conduct groups that address substance abuse issues as they relate to getting and keeping a job and permanent housing;


• Develop and maintain working relationships with alcohol and substance abuse detoxification, rehabilitation, and treatment centers.


• Ensure that clients have any necessary transportation and escort to substance abuse appointments and participation.


• Provide motivational interviewing to clients as needed.


• Provide group and individual harm reduction counseling.


• Provide cognitive-behavioral relapse prevention techniques.


• For clients with mental illness and substance abuse disorders, lay the groundwork for the implementation of Integrated Dual Disorder Treatment, an evidence-based practice, upon discharge.


• Promote a smoke-free environment


• Collaborate with the peer counselors and use linkages already developed in Brooklyn and Queens with Buprenorphine and Methadone programs and seek to expand these to other locations as needed.


• Maintain up-to-date, accurate individual paper and electronic case records on each assigned client.


• Comply with attendance and timekeeping rules and reports reliably and regularly to work on an on-going basis.


• Attend regularly scheduled clinical meetings, staff meetings and supervision as well as in-service training and development activities


• Execute emergency plans as outlined in the policy and procedure manual; administers CPR or first aid to staff or residents who require such services.


• Obtain and maintain CPR and First Aid certifications.


• Obtain and maintain certification as an OD Responder from NYS Opioid Overdose Prevention Program (NYSOOPP) staff.


• Participate in management and supervision meetings.


• Participate in required trainings.


• Immediately reports serious incidents, allegations of abuse, incidents, or sensitive situations and completes incident reports in accordance with agency policy.


• Comply and promote compliance with all applicable laws, regulations and agency policies helping to strengthen and maintain an ethical organizational culture.


• May have on-call responsibilities.


• Perform other job-related duties that may be assigned.

ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Basic knowledge of the causes and processes of substance abuse disorder.


• Effective problem-solving skills


• Effective interpersonal skills


• Ability to work with diverse individuals


• Ability to create and compose written materials


• Ability to effectively and efficiently respond to questions from persons served


• Ability to facilitate a meeting


• Ability to present information to persons served and other employees


• Ability to work with residents, families, and staff in a caring and respectful manner, and with due understanding of and consideration for cultural differences


• Ability to serve as a role model to clients including modeling appropriate interpersonal interactions, appearance, demeanor


• Ability to effectively use computer software


• Willingness to continually learn and apply knowledge and willingness to participate in in-service training and development activities.


• Ability to function as an effective team member, including performing share of work, cooperating with coworkers, and securing cooperation, and maintaining professional relationships and boundaries with co-workers, supervisors and residents


• Ability to use sound judgment in identifying and solving problems, and knowing when to seek assistance.


• Ability to learn, understand and comply with all regulations, policies and procedures.


• Ability to organize time effectively to accomplish all tasks in a timely way and meet deadlines without prompting.


• Ability to develop, evaluate, implement and modify a case management plan, meeting all deadlines and productivity standards


• Ability to prepare accurate and timely documentation, reports and other written material as assigned.


• Ability to be empathic, actively looking for ways to help people, to be compassionate and hopeful and to believe and help others work toward recovery.


• Ability to engage in active listening—attending to what other people are saying and asking questions as appropriate


• Ability to identify the nature of problems and to participate effectively in solving problems.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:

Current CASAC plus at least 3 years’ experience providing direct services to people with alcohol and/or drug related disorders.  Equivalent training and experience will be considered.

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