Chemical Dependency Counselor

Trinity Health•Central City, IA

19h

About The Position

resignation of Brandi Rodgers BACKGROUND: last day 4.01.2026 ASSESSMENT: in need of replacement as soon as possible. RECOMMENDATION: fill quickly CONTINGENCY PLAN: distribute clients to additional staff and management ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: Completes initial and ongoing substance abuse assessments to determine diagnosis, level of care, etc. utilizing the American Society of Addiction Medicine Patient Placement Criteria (ASAM). Performs a comprehensive bio-psychosocial assessment to analyze and synthesize the client’s status and addresses the client’s strengths, problems, and areas of clinical concern. On an ongoing basis assesses client needs/strengths, behaviors, and progress toward desired outcomes. Specifically monitors client progress in areas of recovery, personal growth, self- sufficiency, living skills, etc. Determines need for outside professional evaluations (e.g., mental health), and independently refers to appropriate care providers, agencies, etc. as needed. Facilitates the admission process utilizing a compassionate and empathetic manner to ensure all clients entering the program feel welcome, appreciated and understood. Helps ensure all clients feel a focus on collaboration and engagement from the very beginning of their involvement with House of Mercy. Develops treatment plans in accordance with program requirements, state regulations, etc. and communicates pertinent treatment plan information to others as needed. Updates and revises client treatment goals/objectives on a regular basis consistent with House of Mercy and regulatory expectations. Establishes rapport and develops a therapeutic relationship with assigned clients. Provides counseling services in individual and group sessions. Therapeutic efforts are primarily directed towards addressing issues related to recovery, self-esteem, self-sufficiency, and grief. Maintains appropriate professional boundaries with all persons involved. Serves as a case manager where appropriate. Provides crisis intervention and conflict resolution assistance. Responds to volatile situations by mediating to resolve issues and to model appropriate intervention and problem solving techniques. Conducts recovery related educational sessions and groups providing information and instruction for clients, their family members, and community groups as appropriate. Collaborates with all involved parties to ensure continuity and maximum effectiveness of care/services provided. Collaborates with the client to develop a comprehensive discharge plan that addresses continuing care needs, appropriate aftercare services, etc. MARGINAL FUNCTIONS: Participates in House of Mercy’s Performance Quality Improvement Process. Participates in public relations and customer service related activities to insure that the services delivered meet or exceed the expectations of community/referral sources, favorably promote House of Mercy as a quality provider of care, and enable House of Mercy to make timely/strategic alterations in treatment offerings consistent with consumer needs and desires. Prepares and distributes required reports and other documentation of services according to House of Mercy policies and procedures, applicable laws, regulations and licensing requirements. Responsible for the maintenance of client files. Assures all needed releases of information and other paperwork are present in the file and up-to-date. Promptly requests new or additional information and paperwork as needed. Maintains an awareness of applicable laws, regulations and licensing requirements as they relate to client related documentation. Assumes accountability for providing appropriate documentation of all counseling sessions, significant incident occurrences, phone conversations, etc. consistent with applicable regulatory requirements. Assists the Director in the development of programs and/or curriculum, as directed. Maintains an awareness of and adheres to mandatory child and dependent adult abuse reporting laws. Maintains an awareness of and adheres to Federal confidentiality laws. Attends meetings and training sessions as required. MINIMUM KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED: Bachelor’s degree in the behavioral sciences, preferred. Previous experience working with chemically dependent and at-risk clientele, including a thorough understanding of chemical dependency treatment concepts, psychosocial assessment, application of chemical dependency diagnosis, provision of therapeutic chemical dependency treatment interventions, facilitation of therapeutic groups, etc., preferred. CADC certification is required at the time of hire. Proof of completion of Mandatory Reporter abuse training specific to population served within thirty days of employment. Ability to understand medical terminology and communicate effectively with healthcare professionals. Our Commitment Rooted in our Mission and Core Values, we honor the dignity of every person and recognize the unique perspectives, experiences, and talents each colleague brings. By finding common ground and embracing our differences, we grow stronger together and deliver more compassionate, person-centered care. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other status protected by federal, state, or local law. Trinity Health is one of the largest not-for-profit, faith-based health care systems in the nation. Together, we’re 121,000 colleagues and nearly 36,500 physicians and clinicians caring for diverse communities across 27 states. Nationally recognized for care and experience, our system includes 101 hospitals, 126 continuing care locations, the second largest PACE program in the country, 136 urgent care locations, and many other health and well-being services. Based in Livonia, Michigan, in fiscal year 2023, we invested $1.5 billion in our communities through charity care and other community benefit programs. For more information, visit http://www.trinity-health.org. You can also follow Trinity Health on LinkedIn.

Requirements

CADC certification is required at the time of hire.
Proof of completion of Mandatory Reporter abuse training specific to population served within thirty days of employment.
Ability to understand medical terminology and communicate effectively with healthcare professionals.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in the behavioral sciences, preferred.
Previous experience working with chemically dependent and at-risk clientele, including a thorough understanding of chemical dependency treatment concepts, psychosocial assessment, application of chemical dependency diagnosis, provision of therapeutic chemical dependency treatment interventions, facilitation of therapeutic groups, etc., preferred.

Responsibilities

Completes initial and ongoing substance abuse assessments to determine diagnosis, level of care, etc. utilizing the American Society of Addiction Medicine Patient Placement Criteria (ASAM).
Performs a comprehensive bio-psychosocial assessment to analyze and synthesize the client’s status and addresses the client’s strengths, problems, and areas of clinical concern.
On an ongoing basis assesses client needs/strengths, behaviors, and progress toward desired outcomes. Specifically monitors client progress in areas of recovery, personal growth, self- sufficiency, living skills, etc.
Determines need for outside professional evaluations (e.g., mental health), and independently refers to appropriate care providers, agencies, etc. as needed.
Facilitates the admission process utilizing a compassionate and empathetic manner to ensure all clients entering the program feel welcome, appreciated and understood. Helps ensure all clients feel a focus on collaboration and engagement from the very beginning of their involvement with House of Mercy.
Develops treatment plans in accordance with program requirements, state regulations, etc. and communicates pertinent treatment plan information to others as needed.
Updates and revises client treatment goals/objectives on a regular basis consistent with House of Mercy and regulatory expectations.
Establishes rapport and develops a therapeutic relationship with assigned clients.
Provides counseling services in individual and group sessions. Therapeutic efforts are primarily directed towards addressing issues related to recovery, self-esteem, self-sufficiency, and grief.
Maintains appropriate professional boundaries with all persons involved.
Serves as a case manager where appropriate.
Provides crisis intervention and conflict resolution assistance. Responds to volatile situations by mediating to resolve issues and to model appropriate intervention and problem solving techniques.
Conducts recovery related educational sessions and groups providing information and instruction for clients, their family members, and community groups as appropriate.
Collaborates with all involved parties to ensure continuity and maximum effectiveness of care/services provided.
Collaborates with the client to develop a comprehensive discharge plan that addresses continuing care needs, appropriate aftercare services, etc.
Participates in House of Mercy’s Performance Quality Improvement Process.
Participates in public relations and customer service related activities to insure that the services delivered meet or exceed the expectations of community/referral sources, favorably promote House of Mercy as a quality provider of care, and enable House of Mercy to make timely/strategic alterations in treatment offerings consistent with consumer needs and desires.
Prepares and distributes required reports and other documentation of services according to House of Mercy policies and procedures, applicable laws, regulations and licensing requirements.
Responsible for the maintenance of client files. Assures all needed releases of information and other paperwork are present in the file and up-to-date. Promptly requests new or additional information and paperwork as needed.
Maintains an awareness of applicable laws, regulations and licensing requirements as they relate to client related documentation.
Assumes accountability for providing appropriate documentation of all counseling sessions, significant incident occurrences, phone conversations, etc. consistent with applicable regulatory requirements.
Assists the Director in the development of programs and/or curriculum, as directed.
Maintains an awareness of and adheres to mandatory child and dependent adult abuse reporting laws.
Maintains an awareness of and adheres to Federal confidentiality laws.
Attends meetings and training sessions as required.