Certified Substance Abuse Counselor

Position Summary

The Substance Abuse Counselor is responsible for implementing individualized treatment plans through both individual and group counseling interventions, case management, and behavior modification techniques. This role ensures client safety and welfare while promoting skill development, social integration, and access to community resources. The Substance Abuse Counselor conducts programming, maintains timely and accurate clinical documentation in compliance with Virginia State Medicaid guidelines, and facilitates required safety drills. The position requires strong communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills to support individuals with mental illness, substance use disorders, and/or developmental disabilities in achieving their treatment goals.

Key Duties & Responsibilities

• Ensures that interventions are implemented according to the individual’s treatment plan either through individual or group counseling interventions
• Provide Case Management services of linking and coordinating individuals to community resources, as needed.
• Transport and/or link clients to Community appointments as needed
•  Conduct programming and record data as required
• Implement behavior modification techniques as applicable
• Conduct fire safety drills
•  Submit all clinical documentation to include progress notes, treatment plans, quarterly reports, assessments within 24 business hours, as required by Virginia State Medicaid guidelines.
• Other Duties as assigned

Qualifications

• Will exhibit practical knowledge of behavior management principles, implementation of basic motor skills, training techniques, and alternative communication systems and medical aspects of disabled populations
•  Ability to work with clients with mental illness, addiction, and/or developmental disabilities.
•  Train and assist in settings which will allow peer interactions and an opportunity for community and social integration
•  Ability to ensure the safety and welfare of clients by adhering to Medicaid, Office of Human Rights, the DBHDS, and OSHA regulations
• Must have strong verbal and written communication skills
• Strong interpersonal skills.

Skills & Competencies

• Minimum bachelor’s degree in human services Field with a minimum of one (1) year of work experience in working with persons with a Mental Illness, Substance Use Diagnosis or developmental disability.
•  CSAC, CSAC-Eligible, CSAC-A, LPC, LPC-Eligible, LCSW, LCSW-Eligible
• Certifications are required in CPR, First AID, and Behavior Modification
• Must submit to a national and state background investigation and a central registry check by the Department of Social Services
• Have a valid Virginia driver’s license and current DMV driving record
• Must have the ability to lift up to 50 pounds and be able to stoop, bend, and stand.
•  Basic computer operations
• PPD Screening

Reporting Structure

• Reports to: Clinical Supervisor
• Collaborates with: Peer Recovery Specialists, Counselors, HR/Marketing Coordinator

Physical Demands and Work Environment 

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions. While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to use hands or finger, handle, or feel objects, tools,   or controls. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, and the ability to adjust focus. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. 

Note

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee(s) incumbent in this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by any person authorized to give instructions or assignments. All duties and responsibilities are essential functions and requirements and are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. To perform this job successfully, the incumbents will possess the skills, aptitudes, and abilities to perform each duty proficiently. Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health or safety of themselves or others. The requirements listed in this document are the minimum levels of knowledge, skills, or abilities. This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an “at will” relationship.