Substance Use Disorder Counselor

Position Summary/Objective:

This is a professional counseling and case management position in the drug and alcohol field. All work is performed within State of PA licensure guidelines and in accordance with Gaiser Center established policies and procedures.

Working as a substance use disorder counselor requires patience, dedication, and a desire to help people in crisis. This position provides client's confidential counseling and support, with the goal of encouraging a healthy, addiction-free lifestyle.

Organization Responsibilities:

• Comply with Federal confidentiality rule (42 CFR Part 2). The Federal rule prohibits you from making any disclosure of confidential information unless further disclosure is expressly permitted by the written consent of the person to whom it pertains or as otherwise permitted by 42 CFR Part 2. Comply with all State confidentiality laws.


• Ensure compliance with policies and procedures


• Attend and participate in staff meetings, conferences, staff development trainings, etc.


• Promote and follow safe working practices and take necessary steps to prevent injuries

Position Responsibilities:

• Must be able to assess and professionally evaluate the drug and alcohol needs of individuals following the guidelines of ASAM, DSM V; knowledge of PA Act 106 and other Drug & Alcohol statutes and laws.


• Provides all required client charting for assigned caseload; writing intake notes, treatment plans, treatment plan updates, referral notes, aftercare plans, and discharge summaries, etc.


• Must be able to develop meaningful, comprehensive, and individualized treatment plans using client input and monitor progress and measure results.


• Conducts intake interviews with clients and performs utilization review with insurance carriers/funding sources. Responsible for all admit, continued stay, and discharge ASAM authorizations.


• Facilitates process groups, didactic groups, and conducts individual and family counseling/therapy sessions following evidence-based treatment modalities. Researches/prepares relevant materials for sessions.


• Manages client records by having all required and appropriate documentation; documentation must be completed within required time frames.


• Present summaries of cases at staff meetings and elicits input from other counselors, and supervisors.


• Coordinate with other healthcare providers, agencies, and community resources to ensure continuum of care.


• Provides Crisis Interventions


• Ability to empathize with clients.


• Counselor will be required to maintain 25 CEU's per fiscal year.

Qualifications:

• Knowledge of substance use disorder practices, subculture, and treatment methods.


• Knowledge of crises intervention methods; individual, family, group, and marital counseling techniques, Motivational Interviewing techniques as well as other theories of substance use disorder treatment.


• Knowledge of treatment facilities and human services agencies that provide substance use disorder services and associated behavioral health service needs.


• Excellent organizational skills including the ability to plan and organize.


• Must have the ability to multitask and work in a high-stress environment.


• Must abide by professional ethical standards. Must conform behavior to the highest standards of ethical practice.


• Candidate must meet Commonwealth of PA Department of Health Division of Drug and Alcohol Licensure staffing qualifications for position of counselor: Master's Degree with a major in chemical dependency, psychology, social work or other human services related field which includes a practicum in a health or human services agency, preferably in a drug and alcohol setting; or a Bachelor's Degree with a major in chemical Dependency, psychology, social work or other human services Related field and at least 1 year of documented and supervised clinical experience working with chemically dependent. CAC, CCDP, or CCJP PA state certification preferred; or Associate Degree from an accredited college with a major in chemical dependency, psychology, or related field, and two years of clinical experience in a drug and alcohol setting.

Profile/Other Competencies:

• Have a valid PA driver's license in good standing preferred

Working Conditions:

Office conditions represent the primary working environment. Requires sitting and standing associated with a normal office environment. Manual dexterity needed for using a computer keyboard. This description is intended to provide only basic guidelines for meeting job requirements. Responsibilities, skills, and working conditions may change as needs evolve. Extended hours may be required to meet the needs of the clients.

NOTE: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned this job. They are not exhaustive lists of all duties, responsibilities, knowledge, skills, abilities, and working conditions associated with the job. Additional functions may be required to meet organization objectives.

• Pre-employment Drug Testing


• Satisfactory Criminal Background Check