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CERTIFIED ALCOHOL & DRUG COUNSELOR
Career Insights for Substance Abuse Counselor
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Based on Illinois data
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What they do
A Substance Abuse Counselor counsels people struggling with addictions to alcohol, drugs or other substances. Assists clients in dealing with personal and professional problems related to substance abuse. Collaborates with other health care and mental health care professionals to coordinate services for clients, and works with families of substance abusers. May work in a clinic, health care facility or community based program, or work with clients referred through the criminal justice system.
$25,354 / year median in Illinois
+20% projected growth
Job Description
Position Purpose:
This position supports the inpatient CATR Unit providing individual and group services to adult, substance using individuals by developing individual Recovery Plans that meet the needs of the patient. Responsible for all assessments, treatment, discharge planning and arranging post hospital services that support the sobriety of the patient.Key Job Activities:
- Completes initial intake on patients who are admitted to the CATR Unit which includes obtaining psychosocial assessment focused on the substance abuse history
- Facilitates and monitors the physical and emotional health status of adult patients being treated for substance use
- Engages the patient in development of a post hospital treatment plan providing appropriate referrals and linkage based on the patient's needs
- Completes referrals for ongoing care with the patient's consent in order to engage aftercare
- Facilitates didactic and therapeutic groups and documents all contacts and interventions in the medical record. Provides education and leads group discussions
- Provides clinical treatment planning related to ongoing care, preparation for discharge and the next of care
- Provides crisis intervention as required and follow up with clinical assessment with patients
- Actively participates in multidisciplinary rounds providing input into the patient's progress
- Identifies and escalates and high-risk complications, including those which may result in readmissions/relapse and addresses these with the patient and multidisciplinary team
- Advocates for patients and families in utilizing resources and services
- Provides care that is culturally sensitive to clients with substance abuse disorders and/or dual diagnosis
- Performs other duties as assigned
Education:
- High School Diploma or GED required
- Associate or bachelor's degree in counseling or related field preferred
Knowledge and Skills:
- Must be culturally competent
- Bilingual in Spanish is a plus but not required
Certifications/Licenses:
- CADC Required Workplace Conditions
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
- While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle or feel; and talk or hear
- The employee frequently is required to walk and stoop, kneel, crouch
- The employee is occasionally required to stand
- The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
- Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and ability to adjust focus
WORK ENVIRONMENT
- General office environment and the noise level in the work environment is usually moderate
- Role requires rotating weekends and holidays as well as some evenings