Certified Addiction Counselor (40 Hour) (Office/On-site) - #251124-2351FX-001

State of Connecticut•Norwich, CT

32d•Onsite

About The Position

Elevate your career as a Certified Addiction Counselor! Join the State of Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) as a Certified Addiction Counselor. In this pivotal role, you'll provide counseling, case management, and recovery support to individuals facing substance use and mental health challenges within our Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) program. As a part of a collaborative team, you'll help clients access treatment, build recovery plans, and connect to community resources - making a meaningful impact in their journey toward wellness. Explore the details below and take the next step in your career! POSITION HIGHLIGHTS: DIVISION: Southeastern Mental Health Authority (SMHA) UNIT: Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) LOCATION: 401 West Thames Street, Norwich, CT SCHEDULE: Full-time (40 hours weekly), Monday - Friday, First Shift, 8:00 AM. - 4:30 PM POSITION NUMBER: 26130 WHY THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT: Explore our comprehensive State Employee Benefits Overview to see what we offer Enjoy endless opportunities for professional growth and development Embrace a healthy work/life balance tailored to all employees DISCOVER THE OPPORTUNITY TO: Be a vital part of a compassionate team supporting individuals with substance use and mental health challenges Provide hands-on counseling and case management that empowers clients in their recovery journey Connect clients to essential resources, treatment options, and stable housing Make a meaningful impact in public behavioral health Collaborate daily with a multidisciplinary team committed to dignity, respect, and wellness ABOUT US: DMHAS is a health care agency whose mission is to promote the overall health and wellness of persons with behavioral health needs through an integrated network of holistic, comprehensive, effective, and efficient services and supports that foster dignity, respect, and self-sufficiency in those we serve. SMHA is a community mental health agency serving adults in Bozrah, Colchester, East Lyme, Franklin, Griswold, Groton, Ledyard, Lisbon, Montville, New London, North Stonington, Norwich, Preston, Salem, Sprague, Stonington, Voluntown, and Waterford providing high quality behavioral health services to those with mental health and substance use disorders. Services offered include case management, outpatient behavioral health, crisis intervention, respite care, and forensic services. SMHA is responsible for administering all DMHAS contract funded behavioral health services in Southeastern Connecticut. The ACT Team is a multidisciplinary clinical team that delivers comprehensive services to clients who are diagnosed with severe and persistent mental illness and whose needs have not been met by more traditional service delivery approaches. Individuals served by the ACT team have often experienced frequent psychiatric hospitalization and use of hospital emergency rooms, involvement with the criminal justice system, substance abuse, and lack of engagement with traditional outpatient services. By basing treatment in the community, the team can better assist the client with challenges they face. The team provides community support services interwoven with treatment and rehabilitative services and regularly scheduled team meetings with the goal of individualizing client care. Please note: A comprehensive medical examination, including a drug screening, will be required of all applicants upon a conditional offer of employment. All state employees must adhere to Connecticut's Policy for a Drug Free Workplace.

Requirements

Knowledge of physical, psychological, social, family and economic effects of substance abuse
Knowledge of counseling principles and techniques
Knowledge of community resources
Knowledge of confidentiality provisions
Knowledge of infectious diseases
Considerable interpersonal skills
Considerable oral and written communication skills
Ability to gather, analyze and evaluate information pertinent to treatment, diagnosis and rehabilitation of an individual
Certification from the Connecticut Department of Public Health as an Alcohol and Drug Counselor and three (3) years of experience involving risk reduction education and counseling to assist alcohol and drug dependent individuals
Incumbents in this class must retain the certification and/or licensure outlined above.
Individuals recovering from addiction to alcohol or drugs are required to have two (2) years of substance free time to be considered for a position in a substance abuse program.
Incumbents in this class may be required to speak a foreign language or be fluent in American Sign Language.
Incumbents in this class may be required to possess and retain a valid driver's license.
Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.

Nice To Haves

Experience providing substance abuse assessments, interventions, and treatment for individual with substance use disorders.
Experience connecting client to various levels of substance abuse treatment, such as inpatient detoxification, rehabilitation, methadone maintenance, etc.
Experience facilitating substance abuse groups and individual substance abuse counseling.
Experience working with clients in accessing community resources/entitlements and in securing and maintaining housing.
Experience working with clients who are pre-contemplative and contemplative in their recovery.

Responsibilities

Provides counseling and case management services to clients suffering from substance abuse and mental health concerns
Orients clients to treatment programs
Participates in treatment planning and assists staff with treatment plans for clients with substance abuse issues
Recommends interventions regarding substance abuse concerns
Educates staff on substance abuse issues
Responsible for case management activities, recovery planning, all ACT team required documentation including WITS notes and other clinical records
Maintains confidential reports and client data records, conducts staff training and assistance with substance abuse issues
Acts as a liaison with other teams and outside agencies
Prepares reports and correspondence
Facilitates substance abuse groups for ACT team and SMHA agency clients
Provides individual counseling services for alcohol and drug dependent clients
Coordinates counseling services for clients
Performs other related duties as required.