Addiction Recovery Counselor (Mental Health Services)

Vinfen•Boston, MA

1d•$58,917 - $67,441

About The Position

The ACCS Addiction Recovery Counselor promotes the 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, and rehabilitation.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent required.
Massachusetts LADC or CADC credential required: 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 employment; at least 21 years of age; valid U.S. driver's license held for at least six months; and ability to pass a driver's screening background check.
If using a personal vehicle, maintain adequate insurance and a safe driving record subject to annual checks.
Ability to perform physically active duties, including standing, walking, bending, kneeling, stooping, crouching, crawling, climbing, lifting at least 25 pounds using proper techniques or a two-person lift, assisting PS with activities of daily living, and maneuvering through narrow spaces or hallways.
Ability to operate a computer and office equipment, communicate with PS, staff, and external representatives, and meet the stated vision requirements.
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, best practices, and evidence-based practices, including Motivational Interviewing, Stages of Change, Harm Reduction, SSI-SA, SBIRT, Housing First, addiction peer support, Seeking Safety, WRAP, Cognitive Behavioral interventions, 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; recovery-oriented, person-centered, and strengths-based values and principles; empowerment and self-advocacy techniques; trauma-informed and culturally competent services; human, legal, and civil rights; emergency services and acute care addiction systems; and community-based mental health, healthcare, care coordination, and other resources.
Awareness of the effects of prejudice, discrimination, oppression, and poverty, and sensitivity to the cultural, religious, ethnic, disability, and gender issues of PS.
Ability to formulate appropriate treatment plans and train staff to provide substance misuse and addiction services.
Knowledge of formal and informal substance misuse and addiction assessment practices, communication and learning styles, supervisory techniques, and participatory and collaborative skills.
Ability to provide leadership to staff on substance misuse and addiction issues.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree strongly preferred.
Clinical experience working with people with co-occurring disorders or addictions preferred.
Preference given to bilingual/bicultural applicants and applicants with lived experience of psychiatric conditions.

Responsibilities

Screen, assess, and reassess substance use, addiction risk, and treatment needs using the SSI-SA and other assessments in group living environments and outreach settings; develop formulations or direct licensed staff in developing formulations that address severity, risk, impact, and readiness for change.
Provide direct interventions and support to PS experiencing substance misuse or addiction, regardless of where they reside.
Use trauma-informed, recovery-oriented, person-centered, culturally competent, and 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 promote access to Medication Assisted Treatment, Dual Recovery groups, and psychoeducational services addressing substance misuse, addiction, and related issues such as Hepatitis C and HIV/AIDS treatment.
Provide individual and group psychoeducational addiction treatment services to PS.
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, including Motivational Interviewing, Harm Reduction, addiction treatment support, SBIRT, Seeking Safety, WRAP, Stages of Change, 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 for PS.
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, psychoeducational services, and relapse prevention.
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.