Addiction Recovery Counselor (Mental Health Services)

Vinfen•Haverhill, MA

19h•$58,917 - $67,441

About The Position

The ACCS Addiction Recovery Counselor promotes the full integration and functioning of Persons Served (PS) so they can live successfully in the community. The counselor works collaboratively with PS to understand how substance use affects their lives and serves as a resource to PS and team members on substance addiction assessment, treatment, rehabilitation techniques, and resources. The role provides assessment, direct support, evidence-based addiction treatment, and psychoeducation to PS in group living environments and outreach settings. It also includes coordinating access to community-based services and treatment, and training, mentoring, and modeling evidence-based practices for staff. The counselor participates on intervention teams and in the Addiction Recovery Counselor Community of Practice, receives role-based clinical supervision from an Assistant Team Leader, and documents PS needs and services. Vinfen is a nonprofit health and human services organization established in 1977. It provides community-based services to people with mental health conditions, intellectual and developmental disabilities, brain injuries, and behavioral health challenges. Vinfen has 3,500 employees and provides services at more than 550 sites throughout Massachusetts and Connecticut.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor or Certified Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselor in Massachusetts: LADC I, LADC II, CADC I, or CADC II.
Access to an operational, insured vehicle and willingness to use it to transport PS.
Valid driver's license presented at hire; at least 21 years of age; a valid U.S. driver's license held for at least six months; and ability to pass a driving background screening.
If using a personal vehicle, maintain adequate insurance and a safe driving record, subject to annual checks.
Obtain CPR certification within the first two weeks of hire.
Obtain First Aid certification within two weeks of hire.
Obtain MAP certification within 150 days of hire.
Knowledge of addiction treatment principles, modalities, evidence-based practices, acute addiction treatment, and Medication Assisted Treatment.
Knowledge of engagement strategies and ability to build supportive, trusting relationships with PS.
Knowledge of risk management and mitigation strategies.
Knowledge of recovery-oriented, person-centered, strengths-based values and principles, empowerment, and self-advocacy techniques.
Knowledge of the effects of prejudice, discrimination, oppression, and poverty on people with psychiatric disorders.
Knowledge of trauma-informed and culturally competent services, and sensitivity to cultural, religious, ethnic, disability, and gender issues.
Knowledge of the human, legal, and civil rights of PS.
Knowledge of emergency services, acute care addiction systems, and community-based mental health, healthcare, care coordination, and other resources.
Knowledge of health risks associated with psychiatric disability and/or addictions.
Skills and competence in formulating treatment plans and training staff to provide substance misuse and addiction services.
Knowledge of formal and informal substance misuse and addiction assessment practices.
Knowledge and use of different communication and learning styles and supervisory techniques.
Participatory and collaborative skills and ability to provide staff leadership on substance misuse and addiction issues.
Ability to stand, walk, bend, kneel, stoop, crouch, crawl, climb, lift at least 25 pounds using proper techniques or a two-person lift, operate a computer and office equipment, assist PS with daily living tasks, maneuver through narrow spaces, and communicate with PS, staff, and external representatives.
Ability to remain stationary 50% of the time as needed and meet the stated vision requirements, including close, distance, color, peripheral, and depth vision and adjusting focus.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree.
Clinical experience working with people with co-occurring disorders or addictions.
Bilingual/bicultural background.
Lived experience of psychiatric conditions.

Responsibilities

Screen, assess, and reassess substance use, addiction risk, and treatment needs using the SSI-SA and other assessments for PS in group living environments and outreach settings.
Develop formulations, and direct other licensed staff in developing formulations, that address substance use level and potential risk, current impacts, and readiness for change.
Provide direct interventions and supports to PS with substance misuse or addiction, regardless of where they reside.
Use trauma-informed, recovery-oriented, person-centered, culturally competent, strengths-based approaches and skills-training techniques.
Provide evidence-based addiction treatment and best practices, including Motivational Interviewing, Stages of Change, Harm Reduction, Relapse Prevention, SSI-SA, SBIRT, Seeking Safety, WRAP, Cognitive Behavioral interventions, safety planning, crisis prevention and response planning, and the 8 Dimensions of Wellness.
Refer PS and coordinate with Care Coordination entities to support access to Medication Assisted Treatment, dual recovery groups, and psychoeducational services addressing substance misuse and related issues such as Hepatitis C and HIV/AIDS treatment.
Provide addiction treatment psychoeducation to PS individually and in groups.
Participate as a member of intervention teams for assigned PS.
Train, mentor, and model evidence-based addiction treatment practices for GLE SIE staff, including Motivational Interviewing, Stages of Change, Harm Reduction, and Housing First.
Perform, train, supervise, mentor, and model evidence-based clinical and recovery-oriented interventions for PS, including Motivational Interviewing, Harm Reduction, addiction treatment support, SBIRT, Seeking Safety, WRAP, and Cognitive Behavioral interventions.
Document PS needs and services thoroughly and thoughtfully.
Promote engagement, safe housing, community tenure, self-sufficiency, and successful completion of services.
Promote PS access to healthcare, employment, and education services.
Coordinate with Care Coordination entities to support access to community-based acute addiction treatment, medication assisted treatment, self-help and peer support, psychoeducation, and relapse prevention services.
Participate in the Addiction Recovery Counselor Community of Practice Workgroup for role-specific supervision, competency development, mentoring, and learning.
Receive regularly scheduled role-based clinical supervision from the Assistant Team Leader.
Perform other related duties as assigned.