The Substance Use Disorder Professional 1 is responsible for providing comprehensive counseling services for those who voluntarily seek assistance or are directed through area courts to participate in a chemical dependency education or recovery program. The SUD Professional 1 provides information, counseling, and referral services in an individual and/or group setting, for assigned clients and families to contribute to their recovery and to the physical and mental health of Grant County’s citizens.

Renews SUD program provides comprehensive countywide treatment and prevention of abuse and dependency on drugs and alcohol. Renews SUD program provides counseling services for treatment and prevention of substance addiction and abuse. Counseling services may include the counseling of persons who have no chemical dependency problems but are affected or concerned by/with another individual’s problems. This position may also include conducting chemical dependency educational programs in the various communities in Grant County. This position will be required to work various hours/days of the week and is expected to work 40 hours a week.

The following examples of duties and accountabilities illustrate the general range of tasks assigned to the position but are not intended to define the limits of required duties. Other essential duties may be assigned consistent with the general scope of the position. Employee must comply with all County and department policies, procedures, WAC’s, or other regulatory bodies.

• Provides individual and/or group counseling services.
• All Substance Use Disorder Professionals are responsible for knowledge of WACS 42 CFR Part 2; RCWS; NAADAC Ethical Standards and should conduct their relationships with clients accordingly.
• Completes and maintains documentation and records to meet all applicable laws, WACs, RCWs, contracts, and all other applicable Agency requirements.
• Meets competency level for service coding, billing requirements, and other direct service standards as established by the Agency.
• Advocates on behalf of individuals to coordinate care internally and externally with appropriate services related to treatment goals and outcomes.
• Develops and maintains strong working relationships with medical community, courts, probation departments, schools, and other county agencies, as appropriate.
• Assures services are provided which support the individual’s rights and are compatible with the particular culture and primary language of the individual.
• Actively participates in training and other meetings, whether in or out of office, as requested.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Any combination of education and experience may be substituted as long as it provides the desired skills, knowledge and abilities to perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Required

• Associate Degree in a related field;
• Meet the minimum requirements for Substance Use Disorder Professional as defined in WAC;
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy;
• Demonstrated knowledge of applicable laws and regulations governing the practice of substance abuse/dependency treatment;
• Strong written and spoken communication skills;
• Personal computer operations experience;
• Valid Washington State Driver’s License: Must have a safe reliable vehicle with proof of automobile insurance;
• Background Check: Must have an acceptable background report, at time of hire and every three years afterward; and
• Driving Abstract: Must have an acceptable driving report.

Preferred

• Bachelor’s Degree
• Two years of related experience and/or training
• Spanish Bilingual/Bicultural
• Knowledge of County and Agency policies and procedures

Working Conditions:

• Work is primarily performed inside but can be performed in varying temperatures.
• Work settings may include any of the Renew, schools, jails, or community locations.
• Employee may be exposed to odors or vapors in the office or other work settings.
• Work may be performed in other environments where the employee may be exposed to sub-sanitary environments, pets, and passive smoking.
• Daily exposure to potential verbal and physical aggression with risk of personal safety issues.
• Work duties may require the operation of vehicles, which involves risks associated with driving including road traffic conditions and inclement weather.

Physical Requirements, Mental Demands and Emotional Demands:

The physical abilities described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to walk, sit, write, hear, speak and lift up to 50 lbs. of unequal weight. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close and distance vision, peripheral, depth perception. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Mental Demands: (Several times per shift)

• Maintaining a high level of, and consistent, professional behavior in unpredictable and stressful situations.
• Required to simultaneously manage and prioritize multiple competing tasks/requirements.
• Concentration required for meeting and managing time, completing required documentation, and productivity requirements.
• Concentration required during client assessment/treatment and subsequent documentation.
• Respond to telephone calls from professionals or clients which means that work plans need to be changed.
• The ability to act expediently and appropriately when responding to crisis situations.
• On-going requirement for continual updating and learning of techniques and practices including Information Technology skills.
• Working with clients with complex and diverse care needs.

Emotional Demands: (Variable frequency)

• Communicating and dealing with vulnerable/distressed/anxious clients, family members, other providers and/or community.
• Dealing with challenging behaviors.
• Discussion with clients about treatments and implications of illness.
• Frequently dealing with situations involving domestic violence, abuse, family breakdown, conflict, and aggression.
• Frequently communicating and dealing with situations involving other departments and/or co-workers.
• Participating within a team and dealing with any issues of conflict that arise.
• Acting as advocate for clients.
• Management/dealing with aggressive behavior and situations.
• Employee may experience secondary trauma as a result of exposure to information that is disclosed during sessions.