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.
The counselor will be responsible for providing drug and alcohol treatment services to individuals as directed by the Clinical Supervisor. Duties specific to the Counselor position are: 1. Provide individual and group counseling sessions. 2. Maintain case files in the described manner. 3. Write psychosocial histories, clinical assessments, and develop client treatment plans. 4. Monitor client progress toward goals and objectives as stated in the treatment plan and update treatment plan(s) as required. 5. Attend weekly clinical meetings. 6. Supervise caseload identified by Clinical Supervisor. 7. Serve as facility liaison for treatment services with referral agencies. 8. Make appropriate aftercare contacts for treatment services. 9. Performs other duties as assigned by Clinical Supervisor.
Qualifications:
(1) Current licensure in this Commonwealth as a physician. (2) A Master's Degree or above from an accredited college with a major in chemical dependency, psychology, social work, counseling, nursing (with a clinical specialty in the human services) or other related field which includes a practicum in a health or human service agency, preferably in a drug and alcohol setting. (3) A Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college with a major in chemical dependency, psychology, social work, counseling, nursing (with a clinical specialty in the human services), or other related field and 1 year of clinical experience (a minimum of 1,820 hours) in a health or human service agency, preferably in a drug and alcohol setting. (4) An Associate Degree from an accredited college with a major in chemical dependency, psychology, social work, counseling, nursing (with a clinical specialty in the human services) or other related field, and 2 years of clinical experience (a minimum of 3,640 hours) in a health or human service agency, preferably in a drug and alcohol setting. (5) Current licensure in this Commonwealth as a registered nurse and a degree from an accredited school of nursing and 1 year of counseling experience (a minimum of 1,820 hours) in a health or human service agency, preferably in a drug and alcohol setting. Recovering individuals will be required to meet the minimum sobriety requirements. Clinical positions and supervisory positions require two (2) years of continuous sobriety.
