Substance Abuse Specialist- ACT Team

Shift Schedule: Monday-Friday 9AM-5PM

Hours Per Week: 35

Will be traveling within the Bronx

General Responsibilities

JASA operates an Assertive Community Treatment Team (ACT Team) that serves Bronx older adults ages 55 and older who are diagnosed with a Serious Mental Illness (SMI) and have demonstrated a need for intensive services, due to a history of instability in the community.

The Substance Use Specialist, Bronx Assertive Community Treatment (ACT)  Older Adult Services, is responsible for substance use assessment/identification of SUD, including tobacco, alcohol, and opioid use disorders; application of harm reduction,  stage-wise treatment and integration with mental health services; has lead responsibility for integrating dual-recovery treatment with the tasks and services of other team members.

Primary Responsibilities

• In conjunction with other ACT Team staff members, provide evidence-based mental health interventions to individuals who are enrolled in ACT Team services

• Conduct home and/or institutional visits 

•  Administer substance abuse and mental health assessments

• Develop, implement, monitor, and document treatment plans

• Provide and assist clients in accessing appropriate levels of substance abuse treatment

• Provide clients SUD treatment support through harm reduction Model 

• Complete required case records, reports, and statistics within mandated timeframes, utilizing electronic systems (EHR, funders’ systems, Google Docs and Sheets, Microsoft Excel, etc.)

• Maintain cooperative relationships with public and voluntary agencies, programs, services, and facilities

• Participate actively in regular individual al supervision, and interdisciplinary team meetings

• Participate in staff meetings, program planning, trainings, conferences

• Represent the agency at events and meetings as needed

• Ensure all services meet regulatory requirements

• Rotate 24/7 on-call duties with other team members

• Perform other duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Masters degree in Social Work, Mental Health Counseling or similar required

• Possession of a New York State professional license; LCSW, LMSW, LMHC, LCAT, LMFT, Clinical Psychology, or similar- preferred

• At least two years working with Substance use assessments and identification of SUD, including tobacco, alcohol, and opioid use disorders

• Principles and practices of harm reduction

• Knowledge and application of stage-wise treatment

•  Knowledge and application of motivational interviewing strategies and stage-matched treatments for all SUD

• Training and/or experience in integrated mental health and substance use services

• Experience doing community visits or intensive treatment work

• Desire and ability to work collaboratively and engage in quality improvement activities as part of a committed, integrated team

• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate effectively and concisely both in writing and orally

• Strong attention to detail with the ability to solve problems; to elicit, comprehend, and synthesize accurate and specific information; prioritize work; to work independently; and to excel in a high-performance culture

• An understanding and appreciation of the roles of race, religion, ethnicity, sexual preference, and individual values as they relate to serving clients

• Professional maturity and strong commitment to JASA’s mission 

• Basic computer skills; familiarity with an electronic client record system preferred