Residential Substance Use Counselor

SUMMARY

The Residential Counselor is primarily responsible for the provision of clinical counseling services and comprehensive case management; The Residential Counselor reports directly to the Residential Assistant Director. 

 ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES;

Core duties and responsibilities include the following.  Other duties may be assigned.

• Collects and analyzes assessment data which includes substance use, mental health and co-occurring disorders.
• Completes intake process and arrives at treatment recommendations and level of care decisions that are appropriate to client’s level of functioning and medical necessity.
• Completes psychosocial assessments.
• Develops initial and comprehensive individualized treatment plans based on client’s needs, using client’s words, and that have measurable objectives, within established timelines, based on assessment, psychosocial, client’s assessed stage of change, and in consultation with client and treatment team as appropriate.
• Provides individual counseling based on treatment plan and client centered needs.
• Conducts group counseling.
• Conducts evidence based practices to the individual needs of the clients (EBPs include, but are not limited to, Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Matrix Model, Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy).
• Responds to client feedback/suggestions.
• Is responsible for verification of employment and timely and accurate collection of pay stubs and client fees.
• Monitors client’s savings.
• Attends to client needs in a thorough and timely manner.
• Speaks of and to clients with dignity and respect.
• Is attuned to the presence of trauma indicators and project safety and trust in the professional relationship.
• Conducts discharge planning with the client.
• Provides crisis intervention services as needed.
• Attends staff meetings and team conferences.
• Assures daily finger imaging.
• Is always aware of client whereabouts.
• Consults with other legal and treatment agencies and individuals as needed.
• Recognizes, responds to, high risk factors including suicidal and homicidal ideation.
• Recognizes, responds to, and defuse volatile or dangerous situations as allowable; when in doubt always call for assistance and/or 911.
• Acts as liaison with networking/referring agencies, e.g.; Courts, Parole, Probation, ACCESS, etc.
• Is aware of client’s compliance with medication, vocational and medical appointments and addresses all non-compliant issues. 
• Encourages family involvement when appropriate.
• Completes required documentation in an accurate, timely and intelligible manner.
• Accesses records only where the “need to know” exists.
• Follows established Federal, State and Elmcor guidelines on confidentiality.
• Maintains current knowledge base on counseling issues regarding substance abuse and other psychosocial disorders. 
• Seeks supervision and consultation as needed.
• May be required to work evenings and weekends.

Education and/or Experience:

• CASAC and 1 year experience working with applicable populations who have substance abuse/co-occurring disorders; or
• CASAC-T with 2-3 years’ experience working with applicable populations who have substance abuse/co-occurring disorders; or
• HS Diploma and 6 years’ experience working with applicable populations who have substance abuse/co-occurring disorders.
• Must have computer skills.
• Must successfully complete a criminal background check, obtain clearance from the Office of Children and Family Services and be drug free.