Addiction Specialist II (Assessor) - Denver 326

State of Colorado • Denver, CO

8d • Onsite

About The Position

This position primarily administers comprehensive Substance Use Disorder (SUD) assessments for justice-involved individuals, utilizing diagnostic tools to determine accurate American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) levels of care. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to: Serves as consultant for unit staff regarding assessment, diagnosis, and treatment planning; Monitors inmate treatment and documentation to assure compliance with standards and to assure continuity of care; Assures accurate Information System substance use needs levels, and provides group, brief, and individual treatment; Provides clinical direction to non-clinical staff in behavioral health care and treatment of inmates; Assures continuity of care for inmates by making appropriate referral and providing necessary information and documentation for receiving units, facilities, or agencies; Provides crisis intervention in conjunction with clinical standards regarding mental health professional privilege level; Documents both handwritten and electronically in an accurate and timely manner to provide comprehensive inmate behavioral health records; Provides essential training to staff on mental health and SUD topics; Communicates directly with inmates regarding their substance use treatment such as consequences of maladaptive behavior and desired and undesirable effects of prescribed substance use medication; Listens to inmate concerns and provides counseling and direction; Communicates to advise, counsel, inform and/or guide staff within the clinical unit, the facility, clinical and administrative supervisors and outside agencies to ensure continuity and direction of substance use care; Communicates and responds to complaints, problems, transfers, classifications, and inmate behavioral management issues as it relates to substance use treatment; 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.

Requirements

• Must possess a current, valid certification from the State of Colorado as: a Certified Addiction Specialist (CAS) OR an Addiction Counselor Candidate (AC-C) OR a Licensed Addiction Counselor (LAC).
• Ability to provide direct behavioral health care to inmates.
• Ability to provide comprehensive clinical documentation.
• Ability to work independently.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to collaborate effectively across facility programs and with external stakeholders.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Must maintain certification/licensure as an addiction counselor.
• Ability to work with a diverse population of inmates.
• Strong organizing, planning and prioritizing skills.
• Keen ability to multi-task and demonstrate flexibility.
• Ability to provide addiction counseling as part of a multi-disciplinary team.
• Ability to be creative when implementing therapeutic interventions.
• Ability to read and comprehend the English language.
• Ability to effectively communicate fluently in English both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to create accessible documents and technical content that follows plain language guidelines with accessibility in mind.
• Self-control, a strong sense of ability to work in stressful, potentially violent situations.
• Ability to remain alert, emotionally stable, and mentally resilient under pressure and observant throughout their shift.
• Tolerance to stress, confinement, and high-stakes interaction.
• Must be 21 years of age.
• Possess a valid driver’s license.
• Possess a high school diploma or GED.
• Have NO felony convictions.
• Must be able to see and hear in order to observe, address and respond to potential breaches in safety and security.
• Must have valid U.S. work authorization at the time of application.

Nice To Haves

• Experience providing addiction treatment to an incarcerated population.
• Experience providing addiction treatment to a diverse population.
• Experience working with highly resistive clients.
• Experience administering multidimensional substance use assessments.
• Experience providing addiction counseling in an inpatient and outpatient setting.

Responsibilities

• Administers comprehensive Substance Use Disorder (SUD) assessments for justice-involved individuals.
• Utilizes diagnostic tools to determine accurate American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) levels of care.
• Serves as consultant for unit staff regarding assessment, diagnosis, and treatment planning.
• Monitors inmate treatment and documentation to assure compliance with standards and continuity of care.
• Assures accurate Information System substance use needs levels.
• Provides group, brief, and individual treatment.
• Provides clinical direction to non-clinical staff in behavioral health care and treatment of inmates.
• Assures continuity of care for inmates by making appropriate referral and providing necessary information and documentation.
• Provides crisis intervention in conjunction with clinical standards regarding mental health professional privilege level.
• Documents both handwritten and electronically in an accurate and timely manner to provide comprehensive inmate behavioral health records.
• Provides essential training to staff on mental health and SUD topics.
• Communicates directly with inmates regarding their substance use treatment.
• Listens to inmate concerns and provides counseling and direction.
• Communicates to advise, counsel, inform and/or guide staff within the clinical unit, the facility, clinical and administrative supervisors and outside agencies.
• Communicates and responds to complaints, problems, transfers, classifications, and inmate behavioral management issues as it relates to substance use treatment.
• Maintains 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.

Benefits

• Distinctive career advancement opportunities throughout the state system
• Strong, secure, yet flexible retirement benefits including PERA Defined Benefit Plan or PERA Defined Contribution Plan plus 401K and 457 plans.
• Medical and dental health plans
• Short and long term disability coverage
• Paid life insurance
• 11 paid holidays per year plus vacation and sick leave
• Wellness program
• Tuition reimbursement
• Training opportunities

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: High school or GED