SUBSTANCE ABUSE COUNSELOR 

FT/REGULAR

EXEMPT - LEVEL 10

SALARY: $ 24.33

GENERAL DEFINITION:  The purpose of the position is to provide on-site substance abuse screening, treatment planning, substance abuse counseling and support services to all referred patients. Responsible for treating clients who have a chemical dependency on addictive substances to help clients overcome dependencies and become self-sufficient.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED:   Work is performed under the supervision of the Program Manager.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED:      None.

DUTIES:

Provides substance abuse counseling to inpatient and outpatient clients with referral agencies, to clarify client treatment goals and motivate client commitment to change.

• Performs a comprehensive biopsychosocial assessment to develop an individualized treatment plan which may include individual, group, family therapy, intensive outpatient program, residential treatment and aftercare services.
• Receive referrals from program and other agencies and/or departments to assist in client needs.
• Conduct interviews with clients, review related records, administer assessments, and consult with other professionals to evaluate the client’s condition and identify the diagnosis utilizing the SBIRT model. (Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment)
• Collaborate with agency by attending morning medical rounds, discharge planning meetings to coordinate substance abuse treatment needs for clients.
• Responsible for treatment planning to schedule and conduct meetings with other providers as needed to coordinate screening and treatment admissions for clients.
• Develops aftercare plan with client and family members regarding substance issues and treatment services and/or referrals to residential treatment.
• Monitors condition of patients to evaluate effectiveness of services and adapt treatment as needed.
• Provides counseling based on the treatment plan to address diagnosed substance use disorder(s).

Collaborates with other health care and social services providers on delivery of quality care to patients.

• Assist and coordinate with providers, providing backup, relief coverage to ensure ongoing client care to refer for inpatient treatment.
• Assists providers with support, resources, review and feedback on client referrals, care, tracking, and corrective measures on services provided to help establish a sustained recovery, free from the use of all mood-altering substances.
• Formulate and conduct programs to promote prevention of alcohol and drug abuse.
• Responsible to refer clients to other support services as needed, such as medical, psychiatric evaluation and treatment, social services and employment services to establish and maintain total abstinence by utilizing resources.

Maintain client records by monitoring all assigned caseload to ensure services are properly recorded.

• Assess documentation of services in clients records to ensure diagnosis and treatment, referral accountability and research.
• Compliance with Protected Health Information under HIPAA to ensure confidentiality of health information in any form.
• Prepare monthly narrative and statistical reports of services to the supervisor to ensure services are properly recorded monthly.
• Conduct three-month follow-up with all discharged clients to document outcomes of individual care treatment as necessary to maintain abstinence and maximize long-term recovery.

Perform outreach activities to the community on effects of addiction awareness and promote prevention and intervention.

• Provides alcohol and drug education, prevention, and intervention services to local schools, to community members and organizations upon request to spread awareness of the negative impact of addictive behavior.
• Develop education presentations to provide education on coping skills, self-care, stress management, etc. and to increase addiction awareness of the services available with the department.
• Functions as a liaison with other agencies to provide services.

Performs other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES: Knowledgeable of the 12 Core functions, the disease aspect of alcoholism, effects of alcohol and drug abuse. Knowledge of co-occurring disorders and how to integrate this knowledge with substance abuse treatment and make appropriate referrals for psychiatric treatment. Skills to write treatment plans and prepare progress notes. Skilled in the ability to use the PHQ-9 Patient Depression Questionnaire, and the Modified Simple Screening Instrument for Substance Abuse (MSSI-SA). Skilled to write psychosocial assessments and treatment plan. Ability to acknowledge and maintain confidentiality.  Ability to screen and assess substance abuse disorders based on the DSM-5 diagnostic criteria. Ability to effectively conduct individual, group and family counseling. Ability to effectively communicate and develop working relationships with clients, co-workers and staff from community agencies and the general public. Ability to communicate efficiently and effectively in English and Zuni.  Ability to work with minimal supervision.  Ability to handle multiple tasks and meet deadlines.  Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationship.

TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE: Bachelor’s degree in addictions counseling, social work or related human services field; with two (2) years of experience in substance abuse counseling, community services, social work or related experience that demonstrates the ability to perform the duties of the position.

LICENSE AND CERTIFICATIONS: Must have a valid New Mexico driver’s license with no DWI/DUI convictions or alcohol or drug related offenses within the past three (3) years. REQUIRED Licensed Drug and Alcohol Counselor (LADAC) in the State of New Mexico and maintain licensure throughout the course of employment. Driving is an essential part of the duties.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:  The work is sedentary.  Typically, the employee may sit comfortably to do the work.  However, there may be some walking, standing, bending, carrying of light items, driving an automobile, etc.  No special physical demands are required to perform the work.  Regular exposure to favorable conditions such as those found in a normal office.

SPECIAL WORKING CONDITIONS: Position is subject to Pre-Employment drug testing. Position is safety sensitive and will be subject to random drug screening for duration of employment. May require some evening and weekend work. If employee is in recovery from alcohol or drug abuse, they must have at least two years of continuous sobriety and maintain abstinence for the duration of employment. Must undergo and successfully pass a thorough background check including FBI Fingerprint check.