Job Summary

Provides substance abuse assessment, education and counseling. Functions as part of the treatment team. Coordinates the services needed by the patient as prescribed by the attending psychiatrist. Provides therapy and manages course of treatment to assigned patients through various modalities. Assists with discharge planning.

Essential Functions

Group Psychotherapy:

• Conducts group according to department protocol
• Is prepared with group topics when going to group
• Educates patients about their illness and ways to improve quality of life

Individual Psychotherapy:

• Conducts individual therapy session according to department protocol
• Provides patient with appropriate therapeutic interventions
• Makes referrals when appropriate
• Educates patients to their illness and ways to improve quality of life

Addictions:

• Has working knowledge of 12 Steps
• Has ability to guide patients through the steps
• Identify triggers for the patient and help guide them to obtain alternatives
• Able to effectively assess substance use/abuse with the patient population

Abuse Issues:

• Can identify victims of abuse
• Knows the protocol for reporting abuse
• Know the classes of abuse

Documentation:

• Writes progress notes according to department standard
• Progress notes are completed in a timely manner
• Progress notes reflect the patient’s progress towards their short term goals
• Progress notes are legible

Treatment Plan:

• Writes treatment plans according to department standard
• Treatment plans are written in a timely manner
• Treatment plan short term goals are measurable
• Treatment plans are legible

Time Management Skills:

• Manages tasks in a timely manner
• Reports are in on time
• Documentation is current

Psychosocial Assessment:

• Psychosocial Assessments are done according to department policy
• Psychosocial Assessments are completed in a timely manner

Patient Advocacy:

• Advocates for all services for the patients
• Completes forms for every service to assist the patient in receiving all the eligible benefits they are entitled.

Crisis Management:

• Can evaluate a patient’s crisis situation and can make a referral according to department policy and procedure
• The Crisis referral sheet is completed when referring patients to crisis
• Follow-up with patient status and documents the outcome of the referral

Telephone Skills:

• Answers the Phone according to Department Policy
• Changes message when appropriate (example vacation)
• Puts phone on send when out of the office or in session

Productivity:

• Employee hands in contact sheets daily
• Monthly service reports are handed in by the second business day of the following month

Age Specific:

• Is knowledgeable of the development stage of life of the patients they service

Trans-cultural Competencies:

• Is knowledgeable of the different cultures and belief systems
• Can implement specific interventions for different cultures

Performance Improvement:

• Completes peer review of charts
• Administers consumer surveys and discusses result s with patients
• Is able to speak to PI initiatives and how the initiatives impacted service in their department
• Participates actively in PI and suggests initiatives that can improve outcome and/or service

Other Duties as Assigned:

• Performs other duties in a timely manner
• Performs duties in a thorough manner

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Minimum Education/Certifications
Bachelors in Counseling, Psychology, Social Work or related field. Master’s degree preferred.

Licensure: CADC or LACD required.

Minimum Work Experience
1 year experience in behavioral health including internship.

Working Conditions

Requires full range of body motion including handling and lifting patients and equipment. Occasionally lifts and carries items weighing up to 50 lbs. Requires corrected vision and hearing to normal range. Requires working under stressful conditions and flexible hours. Involves some discretion, independent action and judgment to decide what to do.