What are the responsibilities and job description for the Substance Abuse Counselor position at County of Adams?
Under general supervision, the Substance Abuse Counselor coordinates treatment, recovery, and support services to individuals with alcohol or other drug abuse problems. The Substance Abuse Counselor provides direct counseling services, including evaluations and assessments as well as group and individual counseling in the areas of substance-related and addictive disorders. Work is performed under the general direction of the Clinical Services Manager or Designee.
It is unlikely an employee will perform all the duties listed on a regular basis, nor is the list exhaustive in the sense it covers all the duties that an employee may be required to perform. The examples are merely indicative, not restrictive.
Screens, assesses, and utilizes evidence based approaches to provide alcohol and/or other drug abuse (AODA) counseling to individuals and groups, by developing and implementing client centered treatment plans and referring to other appropriate treatment providers and community supports.
Conducts DOT required assessments, safety plan development, and treatment referrals.
Manages electronic health record entries including treatment plans, case notes, discharges, and other relevant client records for all assigned clients according to applicable requirements, codes and policies.
Maintains the confidential nature of client and business information.
Participates in staffing, consultation, supervision, and multi-disciplinary team meetings.
Attends and completes approved continuing education training.
Participates in the after-hours crisis system.
Complies with all local, state, and federal laws governing clients and the rendering of services.
Performs other job duties as needed or required.
Performs other related functions and duties as assigned or required.
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable an individual with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Applicants must possess a current Substance Abuse Counselor credential issued by the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services in the form of a:
Substance Abuse Counselor In-Training certificate (SAC-IT) (130)
Substance Abuse Counselor certificate (SAC) (131) or a
Clinical Substance Abuse Counselor certificate (CSAC) (132)
An applicant may also apply to be considered if:
You have applied for a SAC-IT credential with DSPS
Your application status on the DSPS site shows all criteria met or your only unmet criteria is the Employment Verification Form.
You submit your PAR # to confirm your application status.
Anyone hired with a pending SAC-IT application must obtain the SAC-IT credential during the first 12 months of employment.
Completion of a relevant Associates Degree or Bachelors Degree is preferred or any other combination of relevant AODA work experience and AODA education in addition to entry level AODA credential. Valid driver’s license in the State of Wisconsin.
OTHER KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES
This role requires comprehensive knowledge of alcohol and other drug abuse dynamics, treatment theories, programs, and methods, along with a thorough understanding of state and federal AODA confidentiality laws. Strong interpersonal skills are essential to build positive relationships with clients, families, and professionals. The position demands the ability to assess, evaluate, and diagnose chemical dependency and related issues, follow oral and written instructions, communicate effectively in writing and verbally, and establish productive working relationships. Additionally, the individual must accurately maintain records and reports and reliably work the required hours of the position. Thorough knowledge of County policies and procedures to include emergency and inclement weather policies; ability to prioritize and manage multiple, concurrent projects; attention to detail and ability to effectively organize time and anticipate, plan and successfully respond to changing circumstances; knowledge and ability to use standard office and position-specific software; ability to effectively communicate both verbally and in writing; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, supervisors/managers, other departments and the general public.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
This work requires the occasional exertion of up to 25 pounds of force; work regularly requires sitting, speaking or hearing, using hands to finger, handle or feel, and repetitive motions and occasionally requires standing, walking, stooping, kneeling, crouching or crawling, reaching with hands and arms and lifting; work has standard vision requirements; vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word; hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels; work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data, operating machines and observing general surroundings and activities; work has no exposure to environmental conditions; work is generally in a moderately noisy location (e.g. business office, light traffic).
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Exposure to bloodborne pathogens is considered low for this position.