Substance Abuse Disorder Counselor

POSITION OVERVIEW

Member of the BCORE team to provide outreach and client engagement, planning, coordination, treatment support and counseling for individuals who use or abuse opiates and other substances, diagnosed with a mental health disorder or dually diagnosed. Conduct treatment planning, assessments, consultation, and follow-up on direct services to assist clients and their families in coping with health-related social problems, addiction, mental illness, trauma, and homelessness.

REPORTING STRUCTURE

There are no staff members reporting to this position.

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES

• Work effectively and collaboratively with other specialists as part of an interdisciplinary team.
• Utilize evidence-based practices for street outreach, case management, addiction disorders, and co-occurring disorders when performing engagement, individualsessionsand group sessions.
• Conduct canvassing and outreach visits to various street locations, agencies, shelters, and hospitals to engage clients who may be eligible for the BCORE program.
• Earn andmaintainclients’ trust through consistency, integrity, honesty, managing expectations, unconditional positive regard, and persistent follow-up; impart this approach throughout the team through role modeling, coaching, and close consultation.  
• Conduct screening interviews and assessments using personal interviews, referral information, medical history, collateralcontactandadditionalmethods as needed.
• Recommend treatment plans that address medical, psychiatric, and psychosocial needs/problems andutilizeclinicallyappropriateand evidence-based interventions to address specific goals. Modify the plan as necessary to reflect the needs of the client. 
• Provide case management services for a group of assigned people which includes coordinating andmonitoringthe Individual Treatment Plan for the team.  
• Provide ongoing assessment of clients’ addictions and mental health and their response to treatment. 
• Provide symptom education and illness managementas prescribed byevidencedbased practices or established guidelines. 
• Provide individual ongoing counseling to individuals, groups, or families as reflected in the Individual Treatment Plan. 
• Ensure clients’ safety and priority social needs are met, including safe, affordable housing, adequate food, and clothing. 
• Assistclients to carry out daily living skills including personal hygiene, nutritional needs, shopping, and food preparation as well as house cleaning and laundry. Teach transportation skills, financial and budgeting skills.
• Provide assistancewith housing and benefits applications, including but not limited Coordinated Access, SSI/SSDI, and SNAP andparticipatein professional development tomaintainbenefitsexpertise.
• Build strong relationships with clients, families, co-workers, and the surrounding community. Provide education to families and other identified natural supports.
• Identifiesgaps in service, barriers to treatment, and the acquisition of community resources.
• Act as aliaisonand resource to BCORE team and clients as a Subject Matter Expert in Substance Abuse Disorders and Addiction. 
• Advocates for the reduction of such barriers and for the development of services needed.
• Provide crisis intervention and rapid support services to prevent hospitalization.
• As needed, visit clients and potential clients who are in Emergency Departments or admitted to a hospital andassistwith discharge planning and care coordination.  
• Participate in BCORE-related meetings, client care conferences, training programs, etc.
• Keep up-to-date, quality services documentation following PEP, HMIS, and other approved policies and procedures.
• Ensuretimelyandappropriate follow-upto referrals and excellent communication and coordination with referral partners.
• Follow training in Housing First, Harm Reduction, Motivational Interviewing, Trauma/Resilience, Peer Support, Person-Centered Care Coordination/Case Management, Street Medicine, and other evidence-based practices. 
• Provide on-call and/or rotating shift duty as needed on nights and weekends and during emergencies.Provide on-call crisis intervention when assigned covering nighttime and weekend hours.

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES

Clinically oriented Community Canvassing and Outreach 

Client-centered treatment plans

Completion of pertinent client documentation 

Quality of engagement and counseling services

Education on and Subject Matter Expert on Substance Use Disorders and Addiction 

Liaison with outside agencies,

Client well-being (clinical and physical)

EDUCATION, WORK EXPERIENCE AND JOB REQUIREMENTS  

Education: Minimum bachelor's degree in psychology, social work, professional counseling, or related field. Preferred 2 years' experience in direct client service

Skill Requirement: Two to three months OJT required for efficient job performance.

Job Requirements:

• Be a Maryland licensed Addictions Professional (LCADC, LGADC, or CAC-AD)
• Must have a valid driver’s license with no more than 4 points.
• Access to a personal vehicle
•  Must have the ability to work independently with minimum supervision

COMMENTS

Must exhibit knowledge and/or experience working with individuals living with substance use disorder, OUD and mental health treatment, and experience working with unhoused populations.