Clinical Associate

Description

POSITION SUMMARY

The Clinical Associate is responsible for assisting counseling staff members with providing direct and indirect services to a specified group and/or population of patients, including facilitation of a safe and therapeutic milieu. In addition, the Clinical Associate assists counseling staff in assessing the patients’ daily needs, as well as assisting them to become involved in their own treatment and recovery experience.  

PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include some or all of the following depending on assigned area and shift:

• Provides information, including formal and informal orientation, to patients or family members regarding clinical programs and services including content, schedules, guidelines, etc.
• Helps to create a welcoming, safe and healing environment is maintained for each patient and family throughout the continuum of care.
• Assists counseling staff with assessment, both initial and ongoing, by data collection and direct observation of the patient and/or family within the therapeutic milieu.
• Assists in performing luggage and personal property searches. 
• Provides addiction and recovery related psycho-education to individuals, groups, and families as assigned, as well as facilitating and/or coordinating community groups, in-house and outside 12 step meetings, and 12 Step discussion/study groups.
• Transports patients to 12 Step meetings and/or other therapeutic recreation activities as assigned, operating company vehicles within the guidelines of the Fleet Management Safety Program. 
• Assists Activities Services staff members with recreation, art, music, and adventure based therapies as assigned. 
• Manages the patient community as a therapeutic milieu, holding patients and families accountable for behavior consistent with community guidelines and recovery. 
• Intervenes in clinical and community crises in such a manner as to use crises for therapeutic value.
• Assists in de-escalation and management of crises, including performing CPR and First Aid as needed 
• Participates in team meetings, treatment plan reviews, staff meetings, and quality management teams, as assigned
• Documents pertinent clinical information into the electronic patient record.
• May assist in providing transportation for admitting and existing patients. 
• Recommends ways to improve the quality and delivery of services.
• Ensures proper handling and distribution of company funds.
• Maintains confidentiality of company and patient information.
• Reacts productively to change.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

None

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED is required with Bachelor’s degree preferred
• One (1) year experience in addictions treatment preferred
• CPRS certification is preferred but not required.
• Valid Tennessee Driver’s License preferred (may use company van to transport patients)
• Intermediate computer skills including Microsoft (Outlook, Word and Excel)
• Ability to quickly learn and use various clinical software.
• Ability to problem-solve, analyze, and interpret information.
• Ability to adapt to changing circumstances and patient needs in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to analyze complex situations and make crucial decisions while also knowing when consultation is needed.
• Ability to be open and culturally sensitive to a wide variety of patients’ experiences.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills with the ability to effectively speak, read and write in English.
• Ability to interact with patients and co-workers in a collaborative and courteous manner while providing guidance, instruction, and/or training.
• Ability to model/teach the 12 Step programs and philosophy.  
• Reacts productively to change.
• Ability to deescalate a person in crisis in a calm and supportive manner; work calmly and professionally in stressful situations and ally with people in crisis.
• Ability to present to hostile or disinterested groups.
• If recovering, eighteen months of verifiable abstinence required; active participation in a twelve-step program preferred.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Position is on a campus setting that involves walking outside to various buildings and everyday risks or discomforts requiring normal safety precautions. 
• Position requires frequent contact with people in crisis, including those who are emotionally volatile and may require additional safety precautions.
• May perform CPR/First Aid as needed (being certified or eligible is required)
• Position is subject to varying shifts, including weekends as well as staying overnight for inclement weather as part of critical staffing, along with some travel to other off-site Cumberland Heights facilities/campus
• Ability to lift up to 20lbs and/or push pull up to 40lbs; move around campus on uneven and rural terrain.
• Ability to speak, hear, see, sit, walk, stand, reach, and use fine/gross motor skills.