Chemical Dependency Counselor (RCCF)

State of South Dakota • Rapid City, SD

5d • Onsite

About The Position

The Chemical Dependency Counselor provides substance use disorder services to the offender population at the Department of Corrections’ new Rapid City women’s prison facility. Services include formal and informal behavioral health evaluations, diagnostic assessments, and clinical interventions. The position primarily serves a specialized housing unit and provides group and individual sessions for offenders living in a therapeutic community setting. It receives an additional 10% premium for its specialized therapeutic community responsibilities; this premium does not carry over if the employee moves to different duties or another role in the department.

The role includes consulting with unit staff on assessment, diagnosis, and treatment planning; monitoring treatment and documentation; delivering group, brief, and individual treatment; and supporting continuity of care. The counselor documents care electronically, counsels offenders, communicates with staff and outside agencies, and helps maintain professional and safety standards in the clinical and correctional environment.

Employment is full-time, 40 hours per week. The position is eligible for a $5,000 hiring incentive, except for current and former state employees. Offers are contingent on successful completion of a background investigation, drug screening, and the ability to perform the essential functions. New employees must complete required self-defense and CPR training and examinations, and TB screening. Carrying OC/pepper spray is optional; staff who carry it must undergo direct exposure during training.

Requirements

• One year of full-time experience participating in behavioral health treatment delivery in a drug and alcohol program, mental health program, or sex offender program.
• Current, valid South Dakota certification as a Licensed Addiction Counselor (LAC) or Certified Addictions Counselor (CAC).
• A bachelor’s degree in alcohol and drug abuse studies, counseling, psychology, or a related field is preferred; a master’s or doctorate in behavioral health science or a closely related field may substitute for the bachelor’s degree and/or required experience on a year-for-year basis.
• Experience providing addiction treatment may substitute for the education requirement on a year-for-year basis.
• Ability to provide direct behavioral health care to offenders and comprehensive clinical documentation.
• Ability to work independently and collaborate effectively across facility programs and with external stakeholders.
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills; ability to communicate fluently in English and comprehend written English.
• Must maintain addiction counselor certification or licensure.
• Ability to work with a diverse offender population; strong organizing, planning, and prioritizing skills; ability to multitask and demonstrate flexibility.
• Ability to provide addiction counseling as part of a multidisciplinary team and use creativity when implementing therapeutic interventions.
• Ability to create accessible documents and technical content that follows plain-language guidelines.
• Successful completion of a background investigation, drug screening, abuse and neglect screening, written and practical self-defense examination, and CPR training and examination to AHA guidelines.
• Physical ability to complete the practical self-defense exam, including lifting arms overhead and kicking to waist height; stabilizing another person for a controlled takedown; delivering blows with arms, palms, shins, and feet; withstanding simulated impact; rotating the body for striking or defensive tactics; and repeatedly getting down on and up from one or both knees.
• New employees must complete TB screening.
• Applicants must apply online; emailed resumes or submissions are not accepted.
• Hired applicants must verify identity and U.S. work eligibility and complete Form I-9; the state uses E-Verify and does not sponsor work visas.

Nice To Haves

• State service experience providing addiction treatment to an incarcerated population.
• Experience providing addiction treatment to a diverse population.
• Experience working with highly resistive clients.
• Experience providing addiction counseling in inpatient and outpatient settings.
• National Career Readiness Certificate may be submitted with the application but is not required.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a consultant to unit staff regarding assessment, diagnosis, and treatment planning.
• Monitor offender treatment and documentation for compliance with standards and continuity of care.
• Ensure accurate behavioral health needs levels in the information system and provide group, brief, and individual treatment.
• Provide clinical direction to non-clinical staff regarding behavioral health care and treatment of offenders.
• Support continuity of care by making appropriate referrals and providing necessary information and documentation to receiving units, facilities, or agencies.
• Document electronically and accurately in a timely manner to maintain comprehensive offender behavioral health records.
• Listen to offender concerns and provide counseling and direction.
• Communicate with clinical unit staff, facility staff, supervisors, and outside agencies to advise, counsel, inform, and guide behavioral health care.
• Respond to complaints, problems, transfers, classifications, and offender behavioral management issues.
• Maintain program or work-unit standards by complying with applicable professional, departmental, organizational, and unit standards.
• Promote and be accountable for safety and security through conscientious observation and sensitive-item contraband control.

Benefits

• $5,000 hiring incentive; current and former state employees are not eligible.
• Full state benefits and SDRS retirement.
• $0-premium employee health insurance option.
• Eleven paid holidays.
• Vacation and sick leave accrual.
• Dental, vision, and other insurance options.
• Student loan reimbursement opportunities may be available through the National Health Service Corps-approved site.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level