Counselor I

GENERAL SUMMARY

Supervises students, interns and may clinically supervise counseling staff seeking licensure. Provides individual, family and group sessions for clients and their families who suffer from substance abuse and/or dependency. Implements assessments, treatment plans, and discharge plans on all clients assigned to their caseload. Actively communicates with referral sources to secure ongoing services for clients preparing to discharge from current levels of care.

PRINCIPAL JOB FUNCTIONS

1.

• Commits to the mission, vision, beliefs and consistently demonstrates our core values. 2. May clinically supervise practicum students, interns, and counseling staff seeking credentialing as assigned. 3.
• Establishes and maintains effective therapeutic relationships with clients and/or families and significant others who are experiencing a variety of complex substance abuse problems. 4.
• Utilizes skills in individual family and group settings as they apply to primary substance abuse issues. 5.
• Conducts chemical dependency assessments and evaluations to include a complete psychosocial assessment process. 6. Ensures completeness and timeliness in clinical record keeping to include orientation, assessments, progress notes, treatment plan update/staffing reviews and discharge plans. 7.
• Provides educational lectures to both clients and their families in areas specific to substance abuse. 8.
• Presents clinical cases to multidisciplinary team to develop and prioritize client's needs, update treatment plans, and plan for appropriate discharge. 9.
• Maintains active and consistent communication with current and potential referral sources in the community to ensure continuity of care for substance use clients. 10.
• Clinically communicates with third party payers to ensure continued stays for efforts at the appropriate levels of care.

11. Provides counseling services requiring specific competencies and/or credentials for reimbursement authorizations as directed by leader. 12. Exhibits skills in providing services to clients at all levels of care provided at the facility. 13. Maintains professional growth and development through seminars, workshops, and professional affiliations to keep abreast of latest trends in field of expertise. 14. Participates in meetings, committees and department projects as assigned. 15. Performs other related projects and duties as assigned. (Essential Job functions are marked with an asterisk "•." Refer to the Job Description Guide for the definition of essential and non-essential job functions.) Attach Addendum for positions with slightly different roles or work-specific differences as needed.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

1. Knowledge of ethical standards and confidentiality laws as they apply to the field of substance abuse. 2. Knowledge of the disease process and client care in the field of alcoholism/chemical dependency. 3. Knowledge of Alcoholics Anonymous, Al-Anon, and other 12 Step recovery programs. 4. Knowledge of substance abuse treatment services and techniques. 5. Knowledge of the 12 Core Functions of the Alcohol & Drug Abuse Counselor as established by the International Certification & Reciprocity Consortium (ICRC). 6. Knowledge of computer hardware equipment and software applications relevant to work functions. 7. Ability to administer and interpret substance abuse assessment tools. 8. Ability to prioritize work demands and work with minimal supervision. 9. Ability to facilitate group and individual counseling sessions. 10. Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing. 11. Ability to exhibit skills in all levels of the continuum of substance abuse treatment, i.e., inpatient care, residential care, intensive outpatient, continuing care and individual sessions as per IC Clinical Manager caseload assignment. 12. Ability to prioritize work demands and work with minimal supervision. 13. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with health care team members and diverse patient populations. 14. Ability to mentor students, interns and staff about counseling methods and the field of addiction. 15. Ability to problem solve and engage independent critical thinking skills. 16. Ability to maintain confidentiality relevant to sensitive information. 17. Ability to maintain regular and punctual attendance.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

High school diploma or equivalency required. Master's in behavioral health field preferred. Licensure as a Provisional Alcohol Drug Counselor OR a Licensed Alcohol Drug Counselor OR a Licensed Mental Health Practitioner OR Provisional Licensed Mental Health Practitioner required. If prior or current history of alcohol and drug dependency, a minimum of 12 months of sobriety prior to employment required.

OTHER CREDENTIALS / CERTIFICATIONS

Basic Life Support (CPR) certification required. Bryan Health recognizes American Heart Association (for healthcare professionals), American Red Cross (for healthcare professionals) and the Military Training Network.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

(Physical Requirements are based on federal criteria and assigned by Human Resources upon review of the Principal Job Functions.) (DOT) - Characterized as sedentary work requiring exertion up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects, including the human body.