Certified Addictions Counselor/Social Worker

Pathways to Housing DC is an innovative agency based in the heart of Washington, D.C. We believe that housing is a basic human right, and that without housing people are unable to address their mental health disorders, addictions, and other life stressors. We provide each person entering our program their own apartment, without requiring treatment compliance or sobriety as a prerequisite. We then provide each person with intensive support services to help them stay housed and begin their journey to recovery.

The Certified Addictions Counselor in collaboration with Psychiatrists, nurses, social workers, and peers, provides services for substance abuse and addiction treatment support to clients in a compassionate and responsible manner. Integrated dual disorder treatment is provided using a harm reduction approach. Interventions include both group and individual therapy, relapse prevention, and education.

Successful Addictions Counselors are flexible and patience, work well in a fast-paced environment, and are independent thinkers.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Collaborate with client in the formulation of an Individual Recovery Plan (IRP) that is reviewed and modified with client on a regular basis;
• Provide outreach, case management, counselling, advocacy, and other needed services to clients in any environment including: the streets, shelters, jails, hospitals, apartments, office, etc.,80% of contact with clients is conducted in the field;
• Provide individually tailored services to each client in the following areas: housing, school, training & work opportunities, activities of daily living, health, wellness self-management, relapse prevention, money management & entitlements, medication support, self-help & empowerment, problem solving, family life & social relationships and integrated treatment for substance abuse;
• Maintain written and computerized records compile reports and complete other program documentation (e.g.,progress notes, incident reports, on-call logs, letters, and psychosocial assessments);
• Coordinate and monitor referrals to community services and advocate client participation;
• Lead groups, workshops, and in-service and advocate client participation;
• 80% of time will be spent in the field/community, directly providing services to persons living serious mental illness.
• Perform related work as assigned;

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Licensed as a Certified Addiction Counselor (CAC) in the District of Columbia or Bachelor of Social Work
• Minimum of one year experience in social services, supported housing, or with person with disabilities;
• Patience, creativity, flexibility, compassion, and sensitivity to persons with disabilities and other minority populations;
• Demonstrated knowledge of harm reduction theory/applications;
• Bilingual English/Spanish a plus;
• Driver's license and vehicle required