Addiction Specialist

Title: Addiction Specialist (I-III)

Division: Project 180

Pay Scale: $25.24-$30.62/hour

Program: Project Based Housing (PBH)

The Organization

SSG-Project 180 turns lives around through innovative, wraparound services that keep people out of institutions and in their communities. Project 180 is a leader in the forensic treatment space, offering high-quality, specialized treatment programs that serve thousands of justice-involved individuals. Our programs span criminal justice intercepts and include pre-arrest interventions, court-based diversions, jail in-reach, and intensive post-release services. Project 180 operates in partnership with County agencies including the Department of Mental Health (DMH), the Department of Health Services (DHS), and the Justice, Care and Opportunities Department (JCOD).

The Program

The Project Based Housing program is funded by the Department of Health Service (DHS) Office of Diversion and Reentry (ODR), the ODR/ICMS program provides intensive wraparound services to the high-need/high-barrier behavioral health population in the LA County jail system. The program provides permanent supportive housing for some of the most underserved or highest utilizers in the county system. Services are delivered through a recovery oriented framework.

The Position

Under the supervision of the Senior Supervisor, the Project Based Housing Addiction specialist is responsible for developing and implementing comprehensive treatment plans for clients in collaboration with both case manager and therapist, coordinating substance treatment services, and conducting individual and group sessions to assist with substance recovery. A successful addiction specialist, serves as a clinical expert on the treatment team. They are able to develop strong working relationships with clients and support them in making measurable progress towards their individualized substance recovery goals. In addition will work within an interdisciplinary team to provide substance support for mutual clients with a forensic background. Job title (I-III) to be established based on years of relevant experience.

Essential Functions:

Provide direct client care via individual and group treatment:

• Actively engage clients in services through the development of strong rapport, consistent contact and use of motivational interviewing. Provide outreach services as needed, meeting clients “where they are at” (service location).
• Provide individual and group substance counseling to support clients in their individualized recovery goals. Recovery goals may include but not be limited to increasing safety, decreasing substance use and abstinence from substances.
• Facilitate weekly substance psychoeducational and support groups at Project based Housing sites.
• Service delivery is consistent with ethical standards, harm reduction, strength based, and trauma informed framework.
• Conduct urine analysis tests as indicated by a client’s treatment plan.
  
  

Coordinate community-based substance treatment services:

• Develop and maintain partnerships with residential and intensive outpatient services (IOP) for client referrals.
• Link clients to needed community resources to support substance recovery. Monitor ongoing participation in services/use of resources and facilitate problem solving to target barriers. Accompany clients to linkage appointments when appropriate.
• Collaborate with external substance treatment partners to ensure high quality, integrated care.
  
  

Engage with multidisciplinary treatment team to coordinate client care:

• Participate in multidisciplinary team meetings with but not limited to Project based housing staff, court and probation.
• Actively contributes to planning and execution of clinical interventions in collaboration with the treatment team. Leverage unique skills and abilities of team members in service delivery. Documentation and reporting:
• Maintain comprehensive case notes in the electronic health record per program guidelines.
• Maintain and submit billing records per program guidelines
• Participate in program data collection per program guidelines.
  
  

Fulfill baseline Project 180 staff expectations.

• Regular attendance required. Holiday or weekend work may be required.
• Maintain and uphold Agency mission statement, values, policies, procedures, and principles.
• Maintain active license and/or registrations as applicable (ie BBS, CCAPP)
• Perform other duties as needed.
  
  

Skills and Abilities

• Clinical Expertise: Provides substance counseling with a focus on high-quality service delivery.
• Empathetic and able to develop strong relationships with clients
• Communication skills: Clearly conveys information, builds rapport, and effectively engages with clients.
• Culturally competent: Understands and is sensitive to diverse backgrounds and needs
• Collaborative: Able to work in diverse teams to solve complex issues
• Adaptive to changing circumstances and client needs in a dynamic environment
• Strong critical thinking and problem solving skills
• Detail-oriented, organized and has strong time management skills.
  
  

Minimum Qualifications

Required:

• Registered or certified as substance abuse counselor from CCAPP
• Experience working with culturally diverse populations.
• Valid CA driver’s license, proof of insurance and own vehicle required. Ability to transport clients in their personal vehicle as needed.
• Must not be on any type of legal supervision (probation or parole).
• Verification of Employment Eligibility and Background Check.
• Basic computer skills
• Addiction Specialist I: Less than 2 years experience
• Addiction Specialist II: 2 years experience
• Addiction Specialist III: 3 or more years of experience
  
  

Preferred:

• Experience working with the forensic and/or dual diagnosed populations.
• Experience working on an interdisciplinary team in a mental health or outpatient setting.
• Knowledge of and experience with providing trauma informed services.
• Spanish speaking
  
  

Supervisory Responsibilities

None

Environmental Conditions (Working Conditions)

Job duties are to be performed both in office and field settings, including Project 180’s interim housing sites.

Physical Requirements

The employee is expected to move about the worksite throughout the day, which may involve walking, standing, and climbing stairs, or using a mobility device, or similar. The employee is expected to drive, carry a maximum of 20 lbs, listen, and speak in order to complete job requirements.

Mental Requirements

The employee must be able to do any/all of the following: perform complex and varied tasks such as synthesizing information and making decisions without immediate supervision; handle routine distractions, interruptions, noise, and uncontrollable changes in priorities/work schedules; interact professionally and diplomatically in high-stress situations; create and follow plans; meet deadlines