SUD Counselor I

Description

JOB SUMMARY: As part of the Program’s Treatment Team, the Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Counselor provides individual and group counseling services to patients participating in the Program as well as  to clients and to family members on theories and treatment of substance use disorders using a patient-centered approach. The SUD Counselor also functions as community liaison for a patient-centered and harm-reduction approach to substance use disorder treatment.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

1. Works closely with the Treatment Team with assigned caseload of clients enrolled in the Program;
2. Completes intakes, assessments and develops treatment plans as appropriate using American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) criteria to assess for appropriate levels of patient care (LOC) and integration with Mental Health and SUD programs;
3. Collaborates with clients on completion of individualized treatment plans that contain goals and objectives that are measurable and are based on assessed needs and problems;
4. Provides treatment through a variety of modalities including individual sessions, group counseling, and family counseling, as well as case management services, ensuring individualized, quality care;
5. Conducts counseling sessions for individuals, groups, and persons diagnosed with substance use disorders working collaboratively with treatment team members and other agencies and applying principles, procedures, techniques, trends, and literature of individual and group counseling;
6. Provides crisis intervention as needed;
7. Assesses ongoing needs of individuals, update assessments and recommendations as needed, and make appropriate referrals for additional services as needed;
8. Works effectively with all recovery resource providers and all agencies in the community to provide seamless continuum of care for patients with substance use disorders;
9. Works effectively and respectfully with client and family populations with diverse backgrounds and needs;
10. Leads psycho-educational, skill development, relapse prevention, process, gender-specific, and medication supported recovery groups as assigned;
11. Provides information about the Program to individuals, the public and an outreach to community groups;
12. Collaborates with Certified Recovery Mentors on patient care and provides support and direction as needed;
13. Collaborate with clients on discharge and aftercare planning;
14. Maintains compliance with all state and federal laws and regulations, as they pertain to position including HIPAA, scope of practice, accreditation standards, OHA and OSHA;
15. Works closely with referral sources, keeping them informed on the progress of the client, as needed and appropriate for client confidentiality;
16. Maintains documentation of client services in the electronic client file (EHR), in a timely manner in accordance with policies and procedures and regulatory standards; 
17. Other related duties as assigned.

ORGANIZATIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Models BestCare’s mission, vision, and values, promoting integrity, compassion, and collaboration;
2. Supports the organization’s commitment to equity, respect, and inclusion, fostering an environment of open-mindedness, cultural awareness and respect for all individuals;
3. Aligns department goals with organizational strategic initiatives;
4. Complies with Code of Conduct, Business Ethics, Employee Handbook, and all relevant policies and OARs;
5. Maintains professionalism, confidentiality, and compliance with HIPAA, 42 CFR, and Oregon statutes;
6. Completes assigned training timely and satisfactorily, and attends other seminars, training, and educational opportunities to develop professional skills and abilities;
7. Ensures that any required certifications and/or licenses are kept current and renewed timely;
8. Works independently and collaboratively as a positive member of the BestCare team;
9. Performs other organizational duties as assigned.

Requirements

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:

• High School Diploma (or equivalent)
• For individuals in recovery from substance-use disorder, must have maintained continuous recovery for the previous two years at the time of hire

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS:

• CADC-I required for SUD Counselor I (CS4) or
• CADC-II required for SUD Counselor II + 2 yrs’ minimum exper as SUD counselor (CS5)
• Must maintain a valid Oregon Driver License or ability to obtain one upon hire, and be insurable under the organization’s auto liability coverage policy (minimum 21 years of age and no Type A violations in the past 3 years, or three (3) or more Type B violations)

PREFERRED:

• Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in addiction or other behavioral health field preferred
• Bilingual in English/Spanish a plus

Requirements

REQUIRED COMPETENCIES: 

Must have demonstrated competency or ability to attain competency for each of the following within a reasonable period: 

• Demonstrated competence in treatment of problem gambling including individual assessment to include identification of health and safety risks to self or others; ability to use individual, group, family and other counseling techniques; understanding and application of program policies and procedures for service delivery, documentation and identification; and implementation and coordination of services identified to facilitate intended outcomes;
• Knowledge of social aspects of psychological and emotional disturbances
• Knowledge and training in substance use disorders and related issues and understanding of recovery models including harm reduction and medication supported recovery, as well as the “Stages of Change/Motivational Interviewing” model of treatment
• Knowledge and understanding of the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) criteria to assess for appropriate levels of patient care (LOC)
• Proficiency in MS Office 365 (Word, Excel, Outlook), EHR platform, databases, virtual meeting platforms, internet, and ability to learn new or updated software
• Strong interpersonal and customer service skills
• Strong communication skills (oral and written);
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail, accuracy, and follow-through
• Excellent time management skills with a proven ability to meet deadlines
• Critical thinking skills
• Ability to maintain strict confidence as required by HIPAA, 42 CFR, and Oregon Statutes
• Ability to build and maintain positive relationships
• Ability to function well and use good judgment in a high-paced and at times stressful environment
• Ability to manage conflict resolution and anger/fear/hostility/violence of others appropriately and effectively
• Ability to work effectively and respectfully in a diverse, multi-cultural environment
• Ability to work independently as well as participating as a positive, collaborative team member

TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT USED: 

Standard office equipment including computer/laptop, copy/fax/scanning machine, printer, and telephone or multi-line phone.

WORK ENVIRONMENT/PHYSICAL DEMANDS: 

The work environment is respectful, multi-cultural and inclusive, and the characteristics described above are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  The position requires the employee to dress in a manner that meets the standards for professional attire at Best Care or per department-or job-specific requirements (See Dress Code Policy in Employee Handbook).  Other working conditions/demands include:

• Primarily indoors (95%) and 100% in-person
• Must wear required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
• Must wear attire as prescribed for staff working in Medical Services
• Frequently sits at a desk, stands, walks, bends/stoops, reaches above/below shoulders, uses arms, wrists, hands, and grasps/squeezes
• Occasionally twists, crouches/squats
• Must be able to perform repetitive tasks/motions, have good manual dexterity
• Must be able to lift/carry up to 20 lbs. frequently and push/pull 21-75 pounds occasionally
• Must be able to hear alarms/telephone/audio/normal speaking voice
• Must be able to drive motor vehicle to perform job
• May be exposed to communicable disease