Substance Abuse Counselor

Who We Are?

The mission of Live Benevolent is to improve the lives and health of low-income, uninsured and under-insured individuals and families in Baltimore, Maryland and surrounding areas. LB is here to provide aid and comfort to individuals, groups and communities impacted by substance abuse, violence, tragedy or traumatic events. LB is a person- centered organization staffed by highly trained professionals who are dedicated to clients, families and the communities we serve by delivering eminent behavioral healthcare that guarantees safety and preserves dignity while enhancing the well- being of those who entrust us with their care.

Purpose of Position: 

The S.U.D. Counselor provides activities and services that are provided at an outpatient program designed to assist adult and adolescent consumers to begin recovery and learn skills for recovery maintenance. 

Functions:

Service Delivery

• Assist persons served by implementing structured interventions outlined in the Person-Centered Plan in any of the following:
• Individual counseling and support;
• Group counseling and support;
• Family counseling, training or support;
• Biochemical assays to identify recent drug use (e.g. urine drug screens);
• Strategies for relapse prevention to include community and social support systems in treatment;
• Life skills;
• Crisis contingency planning;
• Disease Management; and
• Treatment support activities that have been adapted or specifically designed for persons with physical disabilities, or persons with co-occurring disorders of mental illness and substance abuse/dependence or mental retardation/developmental disability and substance abuse/dependence.
• Provide first responder crisis response. 
• Ensure a supportive, therapeutic relationship between staff, persons served, and family of the persons served which addresses and/or implements interventions outlined in the Person-Centered Plan.
• Provide principles of recovery to persons served by emphasizing self-determination.
• Assist persons served by researching and making available natural and community supports.
• Support the persons served in understanding and exercising their rights.
• Provide support services in a manner that is safe, therapeutic, and free from abuse, neglect, and exploitation.
• Ensure that all information resulting from health-related appointments is documented.

Case Management Functions (If assigned and monitored by Program Coordinator)

• Facilitation of the Person Centered Planning process, including the recipient and people identified as important in the recipient’s life (e.g., family, friends, providers) by the initial development and ongoing revision of Person Centered Plan  including completion of all required documentation for opening cases, including but not limited admission assessments, development of updates to Person Centered Plans (PCPs), crisis plans, information card/face sheet, copy of current insurance card (as applicable), service authorizations,  arranging for clinical assessments and other ongoing assessments as necessary, and service notes within applicable timelines.
• Submit ongoing requests for authorizations and all other required information to funding authorization entities. 
• Supportive counseling to address the diagnostic and clinical needs of the recipient
• Case management to arrange, link or integrate multiple services as well as assessment and reassessment of the recipient’s need for services. Inform the recipient about benefits, community resources, and services; assists the recipient in accessing benefits and services; arranges for the recipient to receive benefits and services; and monitors the provision of services.
• Coordination with the recipient’s medical home (e.g., primary care physician)
• Plan and facilitate consumer transitions to other services and/or local agencies in an efficient manner
• Submit completed discharge date to the Medical Records Specialist for processing and filing

Quality Assurance and Improvement

• Assure consistent provision of quality services to consumers
• Implement the PCP to assure that services are being provided in a manner that is professional, effective, and consistent with governing rules, statutes, service definitions, and the PCP
• Assure that case management, supervision, and service notes are being completed in a manner consistent with Federal, State, and the Agency’s, statutes, rules, and policies and procedures, respectively
• Submit service data to the Program Coordinator for billing verification, filing, and submission to the Home Office, as applicable
• Conduct routine follow-up with service recipients, family members, and guardians regarding their satisfaction with service delivery
• Participate in peer review activities of offices as requested
• Communicate ideas on improving services to the COO.

Communication

• Maintain consistent communication with Program Coordinator regarding documentation, authorizations, consumer progress toward goals, and consumer satisfaction 
• Maintain regular contact with persons served, their treatment teams, guardian and significant others in persons’ lives

Qualifications:  

Education/Experience

The minimum requirement for this position is Substance Abuse Board licensure or certification as: 

• Licensed or certified as an alcohol and drug counselors by the Board of Professional Counselors and Therapists;
• Approved by the Board of Professional Counselors and Therapists; or
• Licensed, certified, or permitted under the Health Occupations Article, Annotated Code of Maryland to provide substance abuse treatment.

Preferred Experience

• One or more years of clinical experience.
• Experience with and knowledge of the public MH/DD/SA system

Training

• Must complete any other trainings, certifications and/or requirements as determined by the Agency or the State of MD

Additional Requirements

• Valid Driver’s License, reliable automobile with proof of current liability insurance, acceptable driving record, current vehicle registration and inspection, current TB test, and a clean criminal record.
• Basic mathematical skills
• Ability to read, write and understand the language of the person served and read and write in English. 
• Ability to work as a team member
• Reliable transportation 

Performance Expectations:

• Serve as a role model for professional and support staff, by consistently conducting him/herself in a professional and ethical manner in all situations, including but not limited to promptness of completing assignments, verbal/non-verbal communications, maintaining professional boundaries, representing the Agency with a professional image, and complying with Federal Anti-Kickback and Fraud Laws.
• Maintain therapeutic boundaries with consumers, families, and guardians
• Be familiar with HIPAA as related to confidentiality of information specific to persons served
• Have an understanding of Client Rights
• Have an understanding of abuse, neglect, and exploitation rules
• Develop and consistently demonstrate an understanding of the persons served, their likes, dislikes, behaviors, desired life outcomes, visions for the future, and their PCPs
• Have a basic understanding of mental health and related symptomatology
• Have or develop an understanding of the medications that the persons served may be taking, their purpose and side effects
• Have or develop a working knowledge of therapeutic interventions to assist persons served in effectively monitoring and dealing with their emotions and behaviors
• Consistently practice appropriate medication administration and documentation 
• Consistently practice appropriate service records documentation, pursuant to State, Federal, and Agency Policies and Procedures
• Provide support services as scheduled, showing up on-time and working on person centered goals for the duration of the time allotted 
• Serve as a valued member of a person focused team to support the individuals we serve
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with colleagues and persons served
• Express ideas clearly, both verbally and written
• Ability to plan and execute work effectively
• Be aware of expiration dates and maintain current training and recertification requirements
• Attend and participate in all team meetings, committees, and audits as requested

Accuracy Required in Work and Consequence of Error: The Substance Use Disorder Counselor is responsible for ensuring systems are in place to address the quality and effectiveness of services to each consumer. Failure to adequately manage the quality of service delivery has the potential to severely affect the health and safety of consumers and staff.  This position has a fiduciary responsibility to the Agency including but not limited to billing, in which errors could result in significant funding infractions for the agency

Supervision and Training Provided to Employee:  The local office will provide initial training. On-going training and supervision is provided as needed or as required by the supervisor. 

Physical Effort: A variety of physical activities are necessary for this position and depending upon the needs of the consumers of the agency. From time to time travel will be required, which may include out-of-town travel.  There will also be interaction with consumers served at each local office.  

Work Environment and Conditions: The Substance Use Disorder Counselor works primarily in environmentally controlled offices where conditions are pleasant, although visits to the sites where services are being provided are necessary in order to ensure the quality and provision of services to the consumers.