Description

Residential Drug and Alcohol Counselor

Position Classification: Non-exempt, full-time, benefits eligible

Accountable to: Clinical Supervisor and Program Director

**County contracts mandate that all Pathway Society employees be vaccinated**

Substance Use Counselor Position Description:

The residential drug and alcohol counselor provides substance use treatment services including individual and group counseling, case management, and other supportive services for adults suffering from substance abuse.

Substance Use Counselor Benefits:

Pathway Society offers fully paid medical, dental, vision, LTD and life insurances for the employee and a contribution to spouse/dependent premiums. Contribution to the employee's 401k, paid holidays, and a generous PTO package are also included in the compensation package.

Substance Use Counselor Primary Responsibilities:

• Facilitate weekly process and education groups based on structured, evidenced based curriculum
• Conduct individual counseling sessions with clients to monitor progress and program participation and conduct intakes, assessments and exit interviews to support client flow
• Write thorough and goal oriented client treatments plans, assessments and notes in accordance with current state and county regulations and statutes, and Pathway Society policies and procedures
• Must ensure that all beneficiary treatment plans, notes, and files are sufficiently maintained to not exceed five percent billing disallowances under DHCS, Drug Medi-Cal post services payment compliance audits
• Working in residential treatment facilities requires intensive, hands-on participation in case conferences, ad-hoc collaboration with other professionals, and being visible and flexible within the milieu.
• Maintain client files in the agency’s electronic health record system
• Ensure compliance with state and federal laws and regulations, including but not limited to; client confidentiality (HIPAA and 42 CFR part 2), incidence reporting, non-discrimination in the provision of services, risk management policy and Pathway Society policies and procedures
• Coordinate/link clients to resources in the community
• Assist in the de-escalation of client crisis situations

Other Duties:

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, activities and scheduled shift may change at any time, with or without notice.

Equal Employment Opportunity

It is the policy of Pathway Society to provide equal employment opportunity to all people without regard to race, color, ancestry, religious creed, national origin, disability, medical condition, gender, age, sexual orientation or marital status.

Qualifications

Substance Use Counselor Qualifications:

• High School diploma, GED, or equivalent education; two-years practical experience in drug/alcohol field or actively enrolled in a drug and alcohol studies certificate program.
• Registered with an alcohol and drug certifying organization approved by DHCS; Certified AOD counselor preferred (CADC). Must maintain active status of licensure and continuing education as required by licensing board in accordance with agency policy and procedure
• Bachelor's degree in a social services related field is preferred but not required
• Registered ASW and AMFT candidates may be provided with clinical supervision for their licensure
• Experience facilitating groups, conducting intakes and providing individual counseling with adult populations who suffer from the effects of substance use
• Ability to work effectively with people differing in value systems, ethnicity, cultural backgrounds, language capabilities and disabilities
• Utilize tact and diplomacy; exercise good judgment and respond calmly in emergency situations; able to work within a program structure, monitor and support developmental growth and the recovery process
• Must be able to adhere to State Department of Healthcare Services regulations and statutes regarding strict timelines pertaining to beneficiary treatment services.
• Must be able to physically respond to clients’ needs, climb stairs and walk through the facility throughout the work day
• Basic computer knowledge/skills and the ability to maintain electronic client records system
• Must be able to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing in the language spoken by clients
• Must pass comprehensive background check and reference check; may require a valid driver license, current auto liability insurance and a clean driving record are preferred

Substance Use Counselor Physical Requirements:

• Climbing; ascending or descending stairs, ramps, using feet and legs and/or hands and arms.
• Kneeling; bending legs at knee to come to a rest on knee or knees.
• Crouching; bending the body downward and forward by bending leg and spine.
• Reaching; extending hand (s) and arms above head in any direction.
• Hearing; perceiving the nature of sounds at normal speaking levels with or without correction, ability to receive detailed information through oral communication, and to make the discriminations in sound.
• Lifting; able to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects up to 20 pounds.
• Visual acuity to perform an activity such as: preparing and analyzing data and figures and viewing a computer terminal.