Addiction Counselor

the South Dakota State Government•Springfield, SD

2d•Onsite

About The Position

This is a Full-Time position with the Department of Corrections Behavioral Health team. This position provides substance use disorder services to the offender population, to include formal and informal behavioral health evaluations, diagnostic assessments, and clinical interventions. At the Department of Corrections (DOC), we have an opportunity to make a difference. As a Department of Corrections employee, you will have a chance to experience: Creativity - We are always looking for innovative ideas to help us achieve improved outcomes. Making a difference - You will have an opportunity to make a difference in the life of fellow South Dakotans. Professional development - We provide valuable trainings to ensure well-trained staff that are competent, accountable, and empowered and will assist you in reaching your career goals. Teamwork - In a team-oriented approach, you will have the ability to work cooperatively with others in a friendly work environment to achieve shared goals.

Requirements

Knowledge of: social, behavioral, psychological, and physical effects of substance use disorders; individual and group counseling techniques; community resources for the treatment and rehabilitation of client with substance use disorders; criminal thinking patterns and corrective thinking process; co-occurring disorders.
Skill to: effectively communicate and motivate treatment-resistant clients; effective time management; be organized.
Ability to: elicit and identify criteria required to diagnosis substance use disorders; gather, interpret, report, and use information concerning clients; establish and effective interpersonal counseling relationships with clients; formulate treatment plans and make recommendations on client care; perform treatment needs assessments and treatment planning; facilitate groups and prepare discharge summaries; engage in consultation and make appropriate referrals when outside of scope of practice; work in a correctional facility; adhere to the security of such correctional facility.
Must apply online
Successful applicant(s) will be required to undergo a background investigation.
Successful applicant(s) will undergo an abuse and neglect screening.
Offers of employment are conditional upon successful completion of a drug screening.
Individuals selected for the position must successfully complete a written and practical self-defense exam and successfully complete CPR to AHA guidelines - this includes successful completion of the practical/hands on portion as well as the written exam.
Selected individuals must possess the physical ability to successfully complete the practical self-defense exam, which involves the following: lift arms above head and kick as high as own waist; stabilize another person to accomplish a controlled take down; use arms, palms of hands, shins, and feet to deliver blows; withstand impact (slow speed or with a safety bag) on own body from strikes/blows; rotate body 90 degrees with feet planted for striking with foot or using a defensive tactic; get down on one or both knees and up again with multiple repetitions.
TB (tuberculosis) screening is required of all new employees upon hire.
All persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and complete an Employment Eligibility Verification, Form I-9.
The State of South Dakota as an employer will be using E-Verify to complete employment eligibility verification upon hire.

Nice To Haves

A bachelor's degree in alcohol and drug abuse studies, counseling, psychology or related field is preferred.
Valid certification from the State of South Dakota as a Licensed Addiction Counselor (LAC) or Certified Addiction Counselor (CAC) is preferred, but would consider Addiction Counselor Trainee (ACT), based on education and work experience.

Responsibilities

Direct involvement in screening, assessment, diagnosis, and treatment planning
Provide group and individual counseling and psychoeducational services
Monitors offender treatment and maintains documentation to assure compliance with standards and to assure continuity of care
Provides clinical direction to non-clinical staff in behavioral health care and treatment of offenders
Assures continuity of care for offenders by making appropriate referral and providing necessary information and documentation for receiving units, facilities, or agencies
Documents electronically in an accurate and timely manner to provide comprehensive offender behavioral health records
Communicates and responds to complaints, problems, transfers, classifications, and offender behavioral management issues
Responsible for maintaining standards of the program or work unit through compliance with all applicable professional, departmental, organizational and unit standards
Promotes and is accountable for the safety and security of the clinical and correctional environment through conscientious observations, and sensitive item contraband control
Informs supervisor of any violations of safety and security through the report writing process
Attends training programs as assigned, including self-defense course to ensure self-protection skills