Substance Abuse Counselor

Description:

Job Title: Substance Abuse Counselor (SAC)

FLSA Classification: Exempt

Reports To: Clinical Director

Job Family: Radix Recovery

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Substance Abuse Counselor (SAC) at Radix Recovery plays a crucial role in providing high-quality counseling services while maintaining open communication with facility staff, attending clinicians, physicians, clients, and their families. This position involves serving as a liaison with community agencies and vendors to enhance support services. The SAC is responsible for guiding the patient through the therapeutic environment in a compassionate and caring manner, which can include providing intake assistance, facilitating, individual and group therapy sessions, treatment planning, and other clinical areas of concern.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Client Assessment and Treatment Planning:

• Conduct comprehensive psychosocial intakes and clinical assessments for clients within established timeframes to gather essential information for effective treatment.
• Collaborate with clients and interdisciplinary team members to develop, implement, and regularly evaluate master treatment plans, making adjustments based on ongoing assessments and clinical findings to ensure optimal care.
  
  

Counseling And Support:

• Provide individual and group counseling sessions aimed at helping clients overcome dependencies, adapt to life changes, and achieve personal goals, utilizing evidence-based therapeutic techniques.
• Offer guidance and support to family members, helping them understand the challenges faced by clients and equipping them with strategies to provide effective support.
  
  

Case Management:

• Oversee comprehensive case management for clients, which includes facilitating referrals to adjunct services, coordinating care with community resources, and ensuring continuity of treatment through regular follow-ups and communication.
• Maintain accurate and detailed documentation of all client interactions, treatment activities, and case management efforts in medical records daily, adhering to HIPAA regulations and organizational policies.
  
  

Collaboration And Communication:

• Actively collaborate with clinical staff and other professionals to enhance treatment planning and delivery, participating in interdisciplinary team meetings to discuss client progress and programmatic issues.
  
  

Crisis Management:

• Employ de-escalation techniques and conflict resolution strategies to effectively address client concerns and manage crises, ensuring a safe and supportive environment for all clients and staff.
• Perform risk assessments to identify suicidal ideation, self-harm, homicidality, and cooccurring mental health disorders, implement interventions such as safety planning and crisis referrals, collaborate with mental health professionals, and provide suicide prevention education.
  
  

Administrative Duties:

• Complete all assigned paperwork, including incident reports and treatment documentation, in a timely, organized, and accurate manner to support compliance and quality assurance efforts.
  
  

Workplace Maintenance:

• Participate in maintaining a clean, well-organized, and efficiently supplied work environment, contributing to a positive atmosphere for both clients and staff.
• Observe and report any safety or maintenance issues promptly to ensure a safe and functional workplace.
  
  

Professional Conduct:

• Interact with clients and colleagues in a respectful and empathetic manner, maintaining professional boundaries and a demeanor that fosters trust and rapport.
• Uphold the privacy and confidentiality of all client information in accordance with federal and state laws, actively reporting any concerns regarding privacy violations or policy breaches to supervisors.
  
  

Additional Responsibilities:

• Engage in ongoing professional development and training to stay current with best practices in substance abuse treatment and mental health care.
• Perform other duties as assigned to support the overall mission and objectives of the organization, demonstrating flexibility and a commitment to client-centered care.
  
  

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES AND DIRECT REPORTS:

None.

Requirements:

REQUIREMENTS:

Qualifications:

• Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC or tCADC) is required, higher (e.g., IADC, IAADC, LMHC, LISW, LMFT) certification or license in the State of Iowa is preferred.
• Associate degree (or tCADC, currently pursuing an Associate degree) in human services, psychology, social work, or a related field required OR three or more years of experience working as a Substance Abuse/Use Counselor may be considered as a substitute for an Associate degree. Bachelor's or master’s preferred.
  
  

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities:

Client Assessment and Treatment Planning

• Demonstrate knowledge of various addictions and their associated mental health complications.
• Analyze the physical, emotional, intellectual, and spiritual impacts of addictive drugs on individuals and their families.
  
  

Counseling and Support

• Apply problem-solving techniques and stress management strategies in a professional setting.
• Exhibit the ability to effectively network and collaborate with healthcare and social agencies to provide comprehensive services to clients and families.
  
  

Case Management

• Identify and describe community health resources that enhance physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual health, as well as economic security and positive social and cultural identity.
• Explain referral procedures and admission criteria for healthcare and community providers.
  
  

Collaboration and Communication

• Collaborate with colleagues and interdisciplinary teams to enhance service delivery.
• Demonstrate understanding of ethical considerations and team-building practices in addiction treatment.
• Attend staff meetings and required training sessions to foster open communication, share insights, and engage in professional development opportunities that enhance service delivery.
  
  

Crisis Management

• Assess situations to determine the presence of a medical emergency related to substance use and take appropriate action.
• Demonstrate knowledge of emergency procedures for responding to alcohol and/or drug overdose situations.
• Identify the stages of alcohol and other drug withdrawals and outline appropriate actions to take at each stage.
• Proficiency in conducting risk assessments for suicidal ideation and self-harm, implementing crisis intervention techniques, and developing safety plans.
  
  

Administrative Duties

• Working knowledge of Ritten (EHR, billing)
  
  

Workplace Maintenance

• Understanding health and safety regulations to ensure a secure environment for clients and staff.
  
  

Professional Conduct

• Compassionate client interaction with empathy and active listening.
• Maintenance of professional boundaries to ensure a safe therapeutic environment.
• Knowledge of federal, state, and municipal laws and regulations governing the treatment of alcoholism and drug addiction, including confidentiality, client rights, professional ethics, and anti-discrimination policies.
• Proficient in crisis communication, maintaining professionalism in high-stress situations.
  
  

Additional Responsibilities

• Demonstrate flexibility in adapting to schedule changes and assume additional responsibilities related to the role within an addiction treatment team.
• Actively participate in workshops and training on substance use treatment and mental health care and pursuing additional certifications to enhance expertise.
• Implement evidence-based interventions in client care, stay updated on the latest research, and advocate for the integration of best practices within the organization.
  
  

Other Conditions:

• Must be willing to travel as often as needed
• Authorized to work in the US