CIT)

Volunteers of America Southeast Louisiana Inc•New Orleans, LA

9d•$0 - $24•Onsite

About The Position

The Admission Counselor, under the direction of the Clinical Director, conducts admissions for community members seeking services at Canal Pointe and completes prior authorizations with Managed Care Organizations (MCOs) to secure approval for services at the appropriate American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) level of care for the maximum medically necessary duration. The counselor provides coverage for other counselors when they are out of office, including individual, family, and group therapy for residents, and works with supervisory and administrative staff to support efficient, high-quality service delivery. As the residential center opens, the counselor must be flexible and support the successful launch and scaling of services. The role supports programming across ASAM residential levels 3.5, 3.3, and 3.1 and aftercare peer support services, as well as the Implementation and Evaluation Phases of the Regional Partnership Grant (RPG). Duties include conducting admissions and assessments, helping residents access Medicaid and other needed services, delivering counseling and crisis intervention, developing and updating person-centered care plans, completing MCO reviews, and maintaining timely, accurate records in the Electronic Health Record (EHR). The counselor must comply with agency, accreditation, funding-source, and governmental requirements, and maintain confidentiality under HIPAA and 42 CFR Part 2. The position works in an office and may provide telehealth only when required by emergency operations or an emergency declaration. The schedule is Monday through Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., with at least one Saturday per month and possible non-traditional hours for group coverage, including occasional evenings and holidays. Emergency responsibilities may include implementing the agency and program Emergency Operations Plan, including evacuation or sheltering in place with residents and staff. Work is primarily performed seated at a desk using a computer keyboard, calculator, and other office equipment.

Requirements

Master’s degree in social work or counseling and current Louisiana licensure as an LMSW, PLPC, LCSW, or LPC; alternatively, registration or certification as an RAC, CAC, or ADRA-registered CIT.
Maintain all credential requirements established by the applicable licensing authority.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Advanced computer skills and expertise with Electronic Health Systems.
Ability to interact respectfully with staff at all levels while remaining flexible, proactive, and task oriented.
Problem-solving ability, attention to detail, accuracy, flexibility, reliability, and prioritization skills.
Ability to maintain confidentiality in accordance with HIPAA and 42 CFR Part 2.
Ability to pass a criminal history investigation; not all convictions exclude candidates from hiring.
Ability to pass drug screening tests required by agency policy and procedures.
Complete tuberculosis screening before employment and be free of communicable tuberculosis, verified by skin testing or a physician-recommended chest exam.
Maintain First Aid, CPR, and seizure assessment training.
Work the stated Monday–Friday 10:00 a.m.–6:30 p.m. schedule, at least one Saturday per month, and possible occasional evening and holiday group coverage.
Provide services in the office; telehealth may be required only during emergency operations or an emergency declaration.
Meet the physical demands required to perform the essential functions, with reasonable accommodations available as applicable.

Nice To Haves

Experience working with women experiencing substance use disorders.
Familiarity with trauma-informed and culturally sensitive practices.

Responsibilities

Support the Assistant Vice President of Integrated & Behavioral Health in designing and implementing programming across ASAM residential levels of care 3.5, 3.3, and 3.1 and aftercare peer support services.
Support completion of the Implementation and Evaluation Phases of the Regional Partnership Grant (RPG), including compliance with RPG research requirements.
Coordinate with supervisory and residential center staff to provide high-quality, efficient team-based care in compliance with accreditation and funding-source requirements.
Conduct admissions for eligible community members according to established workflows.
Complete Medicaid applications with residents and community members in accordance with Louisiana Department of Health requirements for a Medicaid Application Center.
Help residents secure needed services and resources, including SNAP, CAEP, and other supports.
Provide direct counseling and crisis intervention using evidence-based individual, family, and group interventions.
Conduct required admission, assessment, and screening instruments and develop person-centered care plans based on residents’ individualized needs.
Review and update person-centered care plans by established deadlines.
Complete prior authorizations, concurrent reviews, and other MCO requirements to obtain approval for medically necessary services at the appropriate ASAM level of care.
Accurately document and track authorizations, concurrent reviews, and related requirements in the EHR and tracking spreadsheets, and communicate upcoming deadlines to staff.
Use concurrent documentation and enter accurate resident information in the EHR within one business day, meeting accreditation and funding-source requirements.
Ensure compliance with VOASELA policies, procedures, practices, and governmental regulations.
Perform additional duties as assigned.
Help maintain a recovery-oriented environment based on Therapeutic Community principles.
Support program activities, including Child Watch and Med Calls.
Follow the designated dress code and the agency’s alcohol- and drug-free workplace policies.
Work at least one Saturday per month and provide group coverage during non-traditional hours, including occasional evenings and holidays.
Carry out the agency and program Emergency Operations Plan during emergencies, which may involve evacuation or sheltering in place with residents and staff.