This program provides culturally responsive alcohol and drug treatment for adolescent African American youth 12 to 18 years of age. The program includes outpatient, community-based treatment and mentoring.

The Chemical Dependency Counselor provides substance abuse treatment services in outpatient and community settings. Responsible for assessment, treatment planning, provision of counseling (individual, family, and group) services, urinalysis, consultation with care providers and coordination of multiple service providers for his/her assigned client caseload; and for keeping accurate, timely records.

Location: This position is based out of LifeWorks NW's King Site.

Pay/Benefits: $23.45 starting hourly pay with Full benefits.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Must demonstrate competence working with the African American community.
• Requires access to a car and valid driver's license.
• Responsible for client evaluation including initial intake interview, formulating a substance abuse diagnosis, identifying appropriate treatment services. Notify client, significant other(s), care givers and care providers of diagnosis and initial treatment recommendations in a timely manner, complete written narrative of evaluation, obtain necessary authorizations for disclosure.
• Collect information about individuals or clients, using interviews, case histories, observational techniques, urinalysis, and other assessment methods. Observe and evaluate client's performance, behavior, social development, and physical health.
• Analyze data such as interview notes, test results, and reference manuals to identify symptoms and to diagnose the nature of clients' substance abuse problems and determine an ASAM PPC-2R level of care.
• Provide referral services to clients and their families, e.g., residential services, health care, mental health services, employment services, housing, recovery support services, etc. Maintain awareness of community referral resources.
• Counsel individuals, families, and or groups using evidence-based treatment practices, to help them understand problems, define goals, and develop realistic action plans. Guide clients in the development of skills and strategies for resolving substance abuse problems.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of counseling or treatments and the accuracy and completeness of diagnoses, ASAM PPC-2R dimensions, modifying plans and diagnoses as necessary. ISSP's must be updated at least every three months. Behavioral Health Assessments must be updated at least annually.
• Document and maintain client records in electronic healthcare system within 24 hours of meeting with client to ensure compliance with agency and contract guidelines and confidentiality.
• Provide crisis intervention.
• Administer and submit urinalyses with minimal errors. Evaluate and communicate results within agency guidelines.

Requirements:

• Must demonstrate competence working with the African American community.
• Requires access to a car and valid driver's license.
• Requires a current CADC 1 or equivalent national certification; or a submitted application for CADC 1 with a formal plan to obtain certification within two years of hire.
• Have knowledge, skills, and abilities demonstrating competence in treatment of substance-related disorders including client evaluation and individual, group, family, and other counseling techniques; program policies and procedures for client case management and record keeping; and accountability for recording information in the client files assigned to them consistent with those policies and procedures. Should be familiar with theory or concepts of prevention.
• Experience working with youth or courses in child development strongly preferred.
• Sensitivity and understanding of specific barriers which may lead to lack of access and engagement.

LifeWorks NW is a private, non-profit organization providing prevention, mental health, substance use treatment, and related social services to youths, adults, and older adults in over fifteen locations throughout Multnomah, Washington, and Clackamas counties. LifeWorks NW promotes a healthy community by providing quality and culturally responsive mental health and addiction services across the lifespan.

Our core values-Recovery and Relationships, Resilience, and Results-inform the work we do. The four pillars of the strategic vision include Compassionate, Impactful Care, Holistic Health, Passionate Team, and Thriving Organization. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion are critical to successfully achieving the mission. We know that "life works" when people get the help they need and are dedicated to changing lives.

Equal Opportunity Employer

www.lifeworksnw.org

Drug Free/Tobacco Free Site 01/09