About the position
The Cred Alc & Sub Abuse Counselor 1 position is designed to provide outpatient counseling services under direct supervision as part of an interdisciplinary treatment team. This role focuses on caring for individuals with substance use disorders (SUD) and patients with co-occurring mental health disorders (COD), as well as their families when necessary. The counselor will work on specific treatment goals that are developed in collaboration with their supervisor, ensuring that they maintain productivity in line with program and departmental standards. Compliance with program and departmental policies and procedures is essential. The position reports directly to the Clinical Supervisor of the assigned clinic. The counselor is expected to contribute to a culturally competent environment by treating patients, families, trainees, research subjects, and co-workers with sensitivity and care, paying appropriate attention to cultural differences. Participation in cultural competence events and training is encouraged to enhance the counselor's ability to serve diverse populations effectively. In this role, the counselor will perform intake evaluations through direct interviews with individuals seeking treatment. This includes assessing chemical use history, symptoms of psychosocial dependence, motivation for change, and personal resources. The counselor will gather family historical data regarding drug and alcohol usage and prepare both oral and written clinical reports based on these interviews. They will also carry out counseling for SUD and COD patients, demonstrating essential skills such as empathy, confrontation, and support, while establishing long-term counseling relationships with patients. The counselor will work as a directly supervised therapist in group therapy settings, facilitating group processes and maintaining communication with other members of the interdisciplinary team. Additionally, the counselor will maintain active case records, including treatment plans and progress notes, and participate in program staff development activities. This includes continuing education in chemical dependency counseling and COD treatment, as well as providing on-site teaching to multidisciplinary students observing the program. Regular supervision and participation in team meetings are also part of the responsibilities, along with other duties such as milieu management, toxicology screen monitoring, and assessing patients for signs of drug or alcohol use.
Responsibilities
- Perform intake evaluations by direct interview of persons seeking treatment.
- Assess chemical use history including pattern, type, and amount of use of licit, prescription, or illicit substances.
- Assess patients for symptoms of psychosocial dependence, motivation for change, and personal resources.
- Gather family historical data concerning drug and alcohol usage, relationship, and current functioning; prepare oral and written clinical reports of interview.
- Carry out counseling of SUD and COD patients within the structure of a comprehensive treatment plan.
- Demonstrate listening skills, empathy, confrontation and supportive skills, ability to monitor patient compliance, participation, and motivation.
- Establish long-term counseling relationships with patients.
- Work as a directly supervised therapist in group therapy for alcohol/drug dependent persons.
- Assist and facilitate the maintenance of group process.
- Establish communication using established rules of confidentiality and laws concerning rights of patients.
- Maintain active case records including written treatment plans, progress notes, and appropriate documentation of incidents.
- Participate in program staff development and informational activities.
- Maintain continuing education in knowledge and skills affecting the discipline of chemical dependency counseling.
- Provide on-site teaching to multi-disciplinary students observing program components and therapy.
- Regularly report to clinical supervisor for supervision of all clinical activity.
- Participate in regular program staff/team meetings to review policy and procedures as well as conduct case reviews.
- Perform milieu management in clinic area and toxicology screen monitoring.
- Assess patients for physical, behavioral signs of drug/alcohol use and perform BAC tests as needed.
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in a discipline related to human services required.
- 1-2 years of related experience required.
- Experience in drug/alcohol dependence treatment preferred; or an equivalent combination of education and experience preferred.
- Knowledge of addiction treatment, counseling theories and techniques, and clinical writing preferred.
- NYS Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor (CASAC) preferred.
Nice-to-haves
- Experience in drug/alcohol dependence treatment preferred.
- Knowledge of health and human services resources preferred.
Benefits
- Competitive hourly pay range of $22.12 - $29.86.
- Opportunities for continuing education and professional development.
- Participation in cultural competence events and trainings.
