Senior Substance Abuse Counselor

POSITION SUMMARY:

Person in this position will be responsible for providing supervision to the counseling staff and case management of clients enrolled in the program. Essential Job Functions include those listed below.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Work collaboratively with the Program Director to supervise treatment/program counselors in all casework and program matters.
• Utilize intake and screening instruments using a gender-specific assessment of needs to obtain a complete medical history; history of substance abuse; physical, emotional, and sexual abuse/incest history; education level; work history; involvement with the legal system.
• Deliver individual and group substance abuse counseling services, substance abuse educational services, and other gender-specific and culturally responsible therapeutic activities throughout the continuum of care.
• Provide counseling for trauma resulting from physical and domestic violence, sexual abuse, and relapse prevention.
• Conduct frequent random urine testing.
• Assist in resolving program and personnel issues.
• Plan, monitor, and approve program activities.
• Responsible for the efficient functioning of all aspects of the casework process.
• Establish formal linkages with community providers for provision of all necessary services including basic needs of food, clothing, housing, finances, assistance in legal matters, family planning, vocational and educational needs, transportation, health care, mental health services, child welfare services and support services.
• Maintenance of individual client treatment files in accordance with agency policies and procedures, including documentation of vocational/educational activities as well as all other pertinent documentation.
• Serve as a trainer for program staff.
• Participate in daily shift exchange including documenting in facility log at the end of shifts and thoroughly reviewing log at the start of shifts.
• Must Embrace and embody the mission, vision, guiding principles, clinical vision, and goals of WestCare Foundation; and
• Perform all other duties as assigned.

ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the duties and responsibilities satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

COMPENTENCIES:

• Must possess knowledge of chemical dependency, substance abuse and personality dynamics of the substance abuser.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Ability to exercise good judgment and discretion.
• Ability to work well in a team environment.
• Adherence to the highest standard of ethical conduct, especially to standards governing confidentiality.

• Professional appearance and demeanor.
• Must be sensitive to populations served.
• Ability to obtain and maintain clearance from California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR).
• Ability to obtain and maintain clearance from LEIE.
• Valid driver’s license and ability to obtain and maintain WestCare’s vehicle insurance is required; and
• CPR Certification, First Aid Certification, and an annual Tuberculosis test.
• During your tenure with WestCare there may be new requirements, including, but not limited to vaccinations that are issued by local, State, Federal, and/or Funders that WestCare may have to comply with. Should this occur Human Resources or appropriate personnel will inform you.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE:

• Three (3) years of full-time experience of counseling duties with a criminal justice population in a substance use disorder program.
• High School Diploma or equivalent is required.

LICENSURE/CERTIFICATION:

• Alcohol and Drug Registration and actively pursuing Certification, in good standing by an agency approved and recognized by the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) is required at time of hire. Must obtain AOD Certification within six (6) months of employment. Preference will be given to those candidates who are currently Certified.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Work is primarily performed in an office or in a residential treatment setting; and
• Some outdoor activities may be required.
• Being on-call

ESSENTIAL PHYSICAL AND MENTAL DEMANDS OF THE JOB:

The employee must be able to perform the following essential duties and activities with or without accommodation:

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Requires mobility and physical activity: Having an adequate range of body motion and mobility to work in an office, residential, or outdoor environment including standing and walking (even and uneven surfaces), sitting for extended periods of time, bending, twisting, reaching, balancing, occasional lifting and carrying of up to 10 pounds.  Use of

computer and telephone systems are required which includes coordination of eye and hand, and fine manipulation by the hands (typing, writing, and working with files).  Requires the ability to defend oneself and clients in physically abusive situations using approved physical de-escalation techniques.

• Requires talking: Expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word.  Talking is required to impart oral information to employees, clients, patients, and the public, and in those activities in which the employee is required to convey detailed or important spoken instructions to others accurately, loudly, or quickly.
• Requires hearing: Hearing is required to receive and communicate detailed information through oral communication.
• Requires seeing: Clarity of vision at 20 inches or less and at distance. This factor is required to complete paperwork for many of the employee’s essential job functions and to observe client behavior and activities in and out of the facility.
• The normal work routine involves no exposure to human blood, body fluids or tissues.  However, exposure or potential exposure may be required as a condition of employment. Appropriate personal protective equipment will be readily available to every employee.

MENTAL DEMANDS:

• Requires the ability to collect and analyze complex numerical and written data and verbal information to reach logical conclusions.
• Requires the ability to work and cooperate with clients, co-workers, managers, the public and employees at all levels to exchange ideas, information, instructions, and opinions. 
• Requires the ability to work under stress and in emotionally charged settings.
• The ability to defend oneself and clients in mentally/verbally abusive situations using approved mental/verbal de-escalation techniques.

Salary : $29