Substance Use Counselor

Job Description

The Substance Use Counselor (SUC) is responsible for providing adult client supervision in a shelter or recuperative care facility, and assisting in the maintenance of a safe, secure environment that enhances behavioral health and substance use counseling while utilizing the harm reduction and recovery model to all clients being served.

The pay offered for this role is $24.00 per hour.
The schedule for this role is Monday - Friday, 12:00pm to 8:30pm.

Responsibilities

• Within a harm reduction model complete substance use assessment, care plan, and goal setting to clients interested in services
• Works with a multidisciplinary team, lead site activities such as; current events groups, community meetings, goals groups, fitness groups, activities of daily living groups, and/or recreational activities, as appropriate to the specified client population promoting safety and comfort in a supportive, therapeutic environment
• Provide individual and group counseling to clients struggling with substance use
• Recognize the need for and provide crisis intervention services to clients as needed according to PRO-ACT principles
• Documents all client interactions or activities complete on behalf of the client (including collaboration with other disciplines, case consultations, telephone calls, leaving voicemails, and collateral contact) in AICA & KIPU according to the documentation standards of the agency and within 96 hours of service provision
• Meet documentation standards as assigned by Clinical Supervisor, Manager or Director
• Informs Supervising Manager or Director, within 12 hours of making an incident report, APS/CPS and/or 5150 report within a mandated time frame
• Collaborate (on a need-to-know basis) with teams including site nursing, case management, behavioral health therapists, site-staff, food service and transportation regarding client’s substance use counseling needs, ensuring the highest level of client care 
• Maintain confidentiality of work-related information and materials according to HIPAA standards
• Assists client with activities of daily living; attend to client behavioral issues and provide assistance in crisis intervention, as needed
• Tracks and maintain client observation, sets boundaries on inappropriate behavior, and recognizes the need for and provide crisis intervention services to clients 
• Act as a liaison with clients, families of clients, or external facilities and agencies 
• Follow established institutional policies and procedures, objectives, quality assurance program, safety environmental, and infection control standards
• Research and build relationships with community agencies for client resources and linkage
•  Familiarization with supportive services in county/counties served, including but not limited to linking clients to outside therapy, mental health, substance use treatment, job training, schooling, church, AA/NA meetings, etc.
• Participates in the development and implementation of client treatment programs as directed
• Attends and participates in staff meetings, in service trainings, workshops and other required meetings as directed
• Drive to any IF location for coverage, trainings, or support, as directed 
• Support volunteers as needed; may be required to supervise volunteer(s) 
• Circulate throughout the facility every hour and check-in with security guards and medical staff concerning any client related issues. Be available to assist staff immediately with the de-escalation process when asked to do so by security guards, medical staff, and site-staff 
• Other responsibilities, as assigned by Supervisor, Associate Manager, Manager or Director

Preferred Experience/Minimum Qualifications:

• High School graduate or GED equivalent
• Must possess a valid Drug & Alcohol Certification from one of the following agencies:
  CAADE, CCAPP & CADTP
• Addiction counseling: 1 year 
• Ability to work flexible hours when needed (2nd and 3rd shifts)
• Basic computer skills including the ability to prepare simple correspondence and reports in Microsoft Word and summarize and report data in Excel spreadsheets.

• Bilingual in English and Spanish
• Experience and knowledge with electronic filing system (KIPU & AICA)
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, Teams).
• Two years of experience working with homeless and dual diagnosis (mental illness and comorbid substance abuse problem) populations.

Benefits

• Medical Insurance funded by Illumination Health + Home (Kaiser and Blue Shield), depending on the plan
• Dental and Vision Insurance
• Life, AD&D and LTD Insurance funded 100% by Illumination Health + Home
• Employee Assistance Program
• Professional Development Reimbursement
• 401K with Company Matching
• 10 days' vacation PTO/year
• 6 days sick PTO/year
• 10 days holiday PTO/year
• Potential eligibility for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSFL) for federally qualified loans