Certified Addiction Counselor (40 Hour)

State of Connecticut•Norwich, CT

6d•Onsite

About The Position

The State of Connecticut, Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) is hiring for a Certified Addiction Counselor to join the Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) Team at the Southeastern Mental Health Authority (SMHA) in Norwich, CT. This full-time, 40-hour per week position involves providing hands-on counseling and case management to empower clients in their recovery from substance use and mental health challenges. The role requires connecting clients to essential resources, treatment options, and stable housing, making a meaningful impact in public behavioral health. DMHAS aims to promote the overall health and wellness of individuals with behavioral health needs through an integrated network of services. SMHA provides high-quality behavioral health services to adults in New London County and surrounding towns, focusing on recovery-oriented, trauma-informed, and culturally sensitive care. The ACT Team is a multidisciplinary clinical team that delivers comprehensive services to clients with severe and persistent mental illness whose needs have not been met by traditional services, often involving frequent hospitalizations, emergency room use, criminal justice involvement, substance abuse, and lack of engagement with outpatient services. Treatment is based in the community to better assist clients with their challenges, providing community support services interwoven with treatment and rehabilitative services.

Requirements

Certification from the Connecticut Department of Public Health as an Alcohol and Drug Counselor
Three (3) years of experience involving risk reduction education and counseling to assist alcohol and drug dependent individuals
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.

Nice To Haves

Experience providing substance abuse assessments, interventions, and treatment for individuals with substance use disorders
Experience connecting clients 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
May be required to speak a foreign language or be fluent in American Sign Language
May be required to possess and retain a valid driver's license
May be required to travel

Responsibilities

Provides counseling services to alcohol and drug dependent clients
Screens clients to determine eligibility for programs
Assesses strengths, weaknesses and treatment needs
Orients clients to treatment program
Participates in treatment planning and individual and/or group counseling
Responsible for case management activities
Provides crisis intervention services in response to emotional and/or physical distress
Makes referrals to outside or other programs for medical and/or psychological intervention
Maintains confidential reports and records of client data
Represents program at community events and seminars
Educates clients on substance abuse issues and availability of resources
Consults with service providers to assure comprehensive integrated care
May escort clients
May provide coverage duties
May collect urine for drug screening