CERTIFIED ALCOHOL & DRUG COUNSELOR

Join our team at the Native American Rehabilitation Association of the Northwest (NARA NW)!

Since the 1970s NARA NW has been a Native American owned non-profit based in Portland, Oregon. Our mission is hope and healing for the Native American, Alaska Native communities and other vulnerable peoples. Offering a comprehensive range of culturally tailored services—including substance abuse treatment, mental health services, primary healthcare, and family support—NARA NW is dedicated to enhancing the physical, mental, and spiritual well-being of over 5,000 clients from more than 255 tribes annually.
The Benefits for a NARA NW Employee!
Employees at 20 hours /week are eligible for:

• Medical, dental and vision plans;
• Insurance starts the first of the month after you start.

All Employees eligible for:

• Sick, vacation, and personal paid time off;
• 14 recognized holidays (including your birthday);
• 401k retirement plan with up to 4% company match;
• Employee referral program: up to $1000;
• Opportunities for career growth and promotion;
• Public Student Loan Forgiveness -NARA NW is a local 501(c)3 nonprofit, FQHC;

POSITION SUMMARY:

Primary duties include working closely with clients to complete intake assessments, and to provide guidance for appropriate treatment plans. Must be an advocate for excellent client care. Must have strong client engagement skills, be highly collaborative with the treatment team, and compassionate towards individuals with substance use disorders.

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES:

• Provide screening, evaluation, referrals and complete assessments for all potential clients as assigned.
• Develop, implement and document individualized comprehensive treatment plan per State/Federal requirements for all clients assigned to caseload.
• Provide a minimum of weekly one to one counseling sessions for each assigned client.
• Refer assigned clients to family counseling sessions when appropriate.
• Prepare and facilitate group sessions as assigned, as well as submit timely documentation
• Complete discharge and aftercare plan on all clients assigned to caseload prior to discharge from outpatient treatment, and send discharge summaries to referring agency within three working days after client’s discharge.
• Supervise attendance of weekly scheduled self-help groups and/or all activities specific to treatment plan for each client through documentation and review of attendance
• Maintain all client records in accordance with State and Federal regulations.
• Assist with on-going audits of all client files, assuring that all are in compliance with the State and Federal regulations.
• Attend all required clinical meetings.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• High School Diploma or General Education Diploma required.
• Must possess a CADC I (Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor) and be thoroughly knowledgeable regarding Oregon Administrative Rules, 42 CFR Pt. 2, HIPPA.
• At least one year paid experience as a chemical dependency counselor.
• Candidates must demonstrate therapeutic empathy for substance use disordered individuals and an understanding of the disease concept of alcohol/drug addiction.
• Possess a working knowledge of the DSM 5 and ASAM Patient Placement of care criteria and demonstrate knowledge of the concept of self-help and community involved treatment and other support programs.
• Ability to maintain professional boundaries with clients, the community, and other staff members.
• Work collaboratively with clients, other NARA staff, team members, and to treat everyone with respect and dignity at all times.
• Experience working within the Native American/Alaska Native community is considered a plus.
• Ability to pass a pre-employment or for cause drug tests.
• Ability to pass criminal background and DMV checks.
• NARA NW is fully committed to supporting sobriety. All employees must agree to model sobriety, both on and off the job, including no alcohol drinking, no illicit drug use, no marijuana use, and no prescription drug abuse behavior. If in recovery, must have been sober/clean for a length of time sufficient to demonstrate that will be able to model sobriety.

This job description is not intended to be and should not be construed as an all-inclusive list of all the responsibilities, skills or working conditions associated with the position. While it is intended to accurately reflect the position’s activities and requirements, the agency reserves the rights to modify, add or remove duties and assign other duties as necessary.