Primary Therapist

Competency-Oriented Position Description

Position Title:

Primary Therapist

Department:

Clinical

Reports to:

Director of Substance Abuse Counseling

Supervision to:

N/A

Position Accountability

This position is responsible for the planning, implementation, and/or coordination of all treatment services delivered to clients that are assigned. This includes ensuring that established procedures are followed and that clinical standards are set for treatment planning, the delivery of individual case management services, group and psychoeducational didactics, and discharge planning and referral services are met. Significant creativity and innovation are necessary so that clients are successfully engaged, motivated, and supported in their efforts to achieve treatment plan objectives. Collaboration and coordination with both internal and external resources are crucial to successful client outcomes.  

Tasks and Responsibilities

1.     Responsible for service coordination which establishes a framework of action to enable the client to achieve specified goals.

2.     It involves collaboration with the client and significant others, coordination of treatment and referral services, liaison activities with community resources and managed care systems, client advocacy, and ongoing evaluation of treatment progress and client needs.

3.     Complete necessary administrative procedures at admission to caseload.

4.     Establish accurate treatment and recovery expectations with the client including but not      limited to:

·        The nature of services

·        Program goals

·        Program procedures

·        Rules regarding client conduct

·        Schedule of treatment activities

·        Factors affecting duration of care

·        Client’s rights and responsibilities

5.     Reassess the client’s needs monthly, or more frequently when significant changes have occurred.

6.     Documents required contacts, testing results, and treatment service provided.

7.     Responsible for the collaborative process in which the counselor and the client develop a written document that identifies important treatment goals, describes measurable, time-sensitive action steps toward achieving those goals with expected outcomes, and reflects an agreement between counselor and client.

8.     Use of relevant assessment information to guide the treatment planning process.

9.     Examine treatment options in collaboration with the client and significant others (when appropriate)

10. Coordinate treatment activities and community resources in a manner consistent with the client’s diagnosis and existing placement criteria.

11. Reassess the treatment plan monthly or more frequently when indicated by changing circumstances.

12. Establish a helping relationship with the client characterized by warmth, respect, genuineness, concreteness, and empathy.

13. Facilitate the client’s engagement in the treatment and recovery process.

14. Promote client’s knowledge, skills, and attitudes that contribute to a positive change in substance use behaviors.

15. Encourage and reinforce client actions determined to be beneficial in progressing toward treatment goals.

16. Work appropriately with client to recognize and discourage all behaviors inconsistent with progress toward treatment goals.

17. Adapt counseling strategies to the individual characteristics of the client, including but not limited to disability, gender, sexual orientation, developmental level, culture, ethnicity, age, and health status.

18. Responsible for facilitating the client’s use of available support systems and community resources to meet needs identified in clinical evaluation and/or treatment planning.

19. Additionally, responsible for ensuring that the treatment team is aware of the client’s treatment goals, and recovery process and to receive feedback from the treatment team as well as offering insights and feedback to the team as it relates to all agency participants.

20. Apply confidentiality rules and regulations appropriately.

21. Demonstrate respect and non-judgmental attitudes toward clients in all contacts with community professionals and agencies.

22. Exchange relevant information with the agency or professional to whom the referral is being made in a manner consistent with confidentiality rules and regulations and generally accepted professional standards of care.

23. Readiness of access to needed resources, quality of resources accessible, and demonstration of effective working relations.

24. Quality of working relations: timeliness and appropriateness of consultation, the ability to cooperate and the results of collaborative efforts.

25. All treatment plans, progress notes, group notes, and any other documentation is completed according to policy, is legible, and reflects client participation in treatment.

26. All reports and/or documents requested by management are accurate and timely.

27. Ensures efficient programming occurs through volunteering coverage as needed.

28. Anticipates the needs of the clients and the program in order to ensure effective programming.

29. Responsible for adhering to all applicable Federal and State laws, the professional code of ethics prescribed by the Addictions Counselor Certification/Licensure Board of Virginia; the policies and procedures detailed in the Policy and Procedure Manual, Code of Ethics statement and the instruction provided by supervision to include alternative duties.

30. Knowledge of and adherence to all confidentiality laws as applied to substance use.

31. Development of personal, professional goals developed in conjunction with supervisor to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of programming.

Qualifications

Education & Licensure

·        Undergraduate Degree in Human Services

·        Master’s Degree preferred

·        CSAC, LSATP, LCSW, LPC or LMFT

Experience:

·        2 years experience in the field of Substance Abuse and/or Mental Health;

·        Working knowledge of 12-step programming

·        Working knowledge of computer programs (word, excel, etc.)

Requirements:

·        Organizational and administrative skills

·        Able to communicate effectively (both written and oral skills)

·        Ability to work independently

·        Ability to work under pressure

·        Familiarity with health and safety issues

·        Two years Sobriety prior to application (if applicable).

Personal Dimensions:

Energy            Initiative

          Sensitivity      Integrity

           Reliability       High Work Standards

           Resilience       Maturity

Americans With Disabilities Act Requirements:

Environments Demands and Exposures to Hazards: (OSHA Level - II)

A normal work routine involves no exposure to blood, body fluid, or tissues, but employment may require some unplanned, Category I activities.

Ø Essential Physical/Mental Demands:

1)         Physical Demands: Must be ambulatory;

                                      Must have visual/hearing acuity.

2)         Mental Demands: Must have the verbal ability;

                                    Must be able to comprehend instructions;

                                    Must be able to write legibly;

                        Must be able to comprehend/interpret charts,      

                         diagrams possess inductive and deductive reasoning.

Ø Manual Dexterity Required:

                    Must possess dexterity, stand, sit, walk, lift, and carry twenty pounds  

                    for short distances.

American With Disabilities Act Statement:

External and internal applicants, as well as position incumbents who become disabled, must be able to perform the essential Job specific function (listed within each job-specific responsibility) either unaided or with the assistance of a reasonable accommodation to be determined by the organization on a case-by-case basis.