Substance Abuse Counselor

Description

CORE VALUES

The core values of Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas (CHC/SEK) are dignity and stewardship. Each staff member is expected to perform their job duties in a way that preserves dignity for our patients and maintains good stewardship of the Center's resources. 

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

The Substance Abuse Counselor supports the integrated model of care by assisting the Care Team ensuring that patients are connected to needed resources and services essential to meeting short and long-term goals as defined in the team’s care plan.

Requirements

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

1. Is available for immediate consultations with members of the Care Team per the SBIRT protocol for those patients in critical need of timely interventions.
2. Administers comprehensive drug and alcohol screenings, assessments and evaluations to patients and assists in determining appropriate follow-up based upon test results and interviews.
3. Coordinates client services ranging from assessment and treatment planning through discharge and aftercare.
4. Facilitates individual, group and family counseling sessions that promote positive interaction, encourage group socialization, group cohesiveness and unity among clients/patients.
5. Prioritizes identified problems that require resolutions and, in collaboration with the care team, establishes goals and objectives, utilizes available resources and makes decisions appropriate for patient-based treatment planning.
6. Consults with care team and other professionals as necessary before implementing recommendations to ensure quality care.
7. Utilizes diagnostic interviews, behavioral observations and team notes to assess patient’s strengths and weaknesses, as well as other areas to be incorporated into treatment planning.
8. Documents treatment goals and progress in the medical record and completes all required treatment documentation.
9. Communicates effectively with staff.
10. Submits information to referral sources and ancillary service providers as requested.
11. Aids in patient decision making by promoting positive attitudes, feelings of awareness and change and building self-esteem.

QUALIFICATIONS

1. A Master's degree in social work, psychology, marriage and family therapy or other closely related field. 
2. Requires certification/licensure as a Licensed Master Addiction Counselor through the State of Kansas.
3. Dual licensure in Mental Health and Substance Abuse preferred.
4. Minimum of two years of supervised experience delivering substance abuse treatment.
5. Detailed understanding of addiction counselor core competencies and the treatment model utilized.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

1. Social and cultural sensitivity appropriate to ethnically and economically diverse patient-and employee-base
2. Demonstrate knowledge of the rationale of appropriate patient care.
3. Communicates through appropriate channels. Use proper chain of command for patient complaints.
4. Ability to handle emergency situations calmly and effectively.
5. Must be computer literate.
6. Must be able to maintain good inter-personal relationship with co-workers and other members of the health care team and the organization.
7. Provide customer service in accordance to the organization’s mission.
8. Be courteous and respectful when interacting with patients and family members.
9. Maintain patient confidentiality in accordance to organization’s policy and procedure and HIPAA requirements.
10. Ability to effectively, present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, patients and the general public.
11. Ability to add, subtract, multiply and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions and decimals.
12. Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts and draw valid conclusions

WORKING CONDITIONS

While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to stand. The employee is occasionally required to walk. The employee must regularly lift and /or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. Computer work is frequent. Good lighting and comfortable temperature of ventilation at all times. Operating a vehicle is a regular requirement of the position.