Co-Occurring Disorders Specialist - Adult Services - Brattleboro

HCRS (Health Care & Rehabilitation Services of Southeastern Vermont)•Brattleboro, VT
•$55,000 - $65,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Co-Occurring Disorders Specialist provides clinical services/counseling, screening, and case management services to clients/clients/participants in one or more specific embedded community setting. This role operates as an independently licensed practitioner, often as part of an interdisciplinary team including medical providers, case managers, peer support services, and housing advocates. The work is typically fast-paced and requires adaptability to the needs of the team and clients served.

Requirements

  • Bachelor’s degree in social work or other behavioral health discipline required.
  • Substance use counseling experience and expertise required.
  • ADC, LADC, or comparable certification in the state of Vermont is required at time of hire or within first year.
  • If unlicensed, must be willing to work toward licensure.
  • Knowledge of and experience with population being served
  • Possession of a valid driver’s license and access to a private vehicle for day-to-day job performance.
  • Working knowledge of computer skills
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills, as well as the ability to listen effectively.
  • Ability to read and interpret documents such as: clinical reports, safety plans and rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.
  • Ability to fill out forms, as well as the ability to write routine reports and correspondence.
  • Ability to communicate effectively with consumer, other providers, and team members.
  • Ability to solve problems and deal with a variety of variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.
  • Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, and diagram or schedule form.
  • Ability to know when to get help.
  • Ability to work required hours.
  • Safe and reliable transportation is required for this position.
  • Knowledge of appropriate ways to contact the supervisor.
  • Knowledge of appropriate physical restraint techniques may be required.

Nice To Haves

  • Master’s degree in clinical social work preferred

Responsibilities

  • Assesses clients comprehensively, according to needs of embedded team and agency needs; Clinicians should be proficient in diagnosis, formulation, risk assessment, level of care assessment, identifying strengths and areas of ongoing challenges, etc.
  • Assesses client’s social and family structure in context of client/client/participant’s presenting problems
  • Assesses and plans for the client/client/participant’s aftercare needs
  • Conceptualizes clients and systems in their social context, taking into account systems stressors as well as intra- and interpersonal problems and strengths
  • Demonstrates understanding of addiction and recovery, including as it relates to screening, assessment, engagement, clinical interventions and approaches, and ASAM criteria for referrals and placement
  • Synthesizes and conveys relevant information, including clinical and case formulations, orally and in writing.
  • Formulates understandings of case material, using all data available as well as understanding of interplay between stressors and vulnerabilities and presenting problems.
  • Understands best practices for assessment and treatment of clients with diverse backgrounds and cultural experiences, including intersectionality and the impacts of systemic oppression and marginalization
  • Assesses and diagnoses clients, using DSM 5 criteria, consulting with team members as necessary
  • Demonstrates the ability to form a therapeutic relationship with the client and families.
  • Contacts the client’s providers and referral sources to obtain collateral information for assessment, and to coordinate treatment
  • Uses standardized assessment and screening tools as necessary, including for depression, anxiety, substance use, and suicide and violence risk
  • Must be able to use in-person, telephonic, and two-way video telehealth to engage client as needed
  • Demonstrates the ability to provide direct clinical care to clients to promote change according to the client/client/participant’s treatment plan.
  • Individual Psychotherapy: In a manner appropriate to the setting and frame, meets with client in a therapeutic relationship to address clinical and psychosocial issues relevant to the client’s diagnosis and presenting problems, and promotes change according to treatment goals.
  • Family work/family therapy: Engages therapeutically with client family and systems to further client’s treatment and progress toward goals, indicated
  • Supportive therapy: Meets with client as necessary to provide support and resolve specific task-oriented problems that may have an impact on treatment.
  • Group therapy: Meets with clients in psychoeducational or psychotherapeutic group sessions to promote, through the group process, individual growth according to treatment goals.
  • Demonstrates the ability to integrate theoretical knowledge of clinical practice, group dynamics and individualized biopsychosocial assessment effectively and ethically in treatment.
  • Attends and participates in treatment planning/ team planning sessions of assigned clients on a regular basis. Reports consistently to the treatment team with regard to assessments and the content and focus of therapy.
  • Documents all interactions with client(s) in progress notes in the electronic medical record.
  • Documentation will adhere to any policies of embedded agency, as well as Retreat policies where appropriate.
  • Maintains contact with referral sources and involved community agencies according to the aftercare needs of the client, using professional judgement and according to the client’s treatment plan, as coordinated with other treatment team members.
  • Demonstrates an understanding of evidence-based practices for the populations served and maintains competency in these areas.
  • Engages actively with community support systems, health care and human service resources, courts and police, etc., to coordinate care and treatment, when appropriate
  • Demonstrates strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work within a multidisciplinary team.
  • Maintains effective working relationships with program staff as indicated by direct observation of supervisor
  • Supports program policies and priorities relating to client/client/participant care, workflow, and productivity
  • Demonstrates good organizational and time management skills and ability to work in a fast-paced setting.
  • Adheres to all policies of embedded site, and responds to specific needs of site as necessary
  • Provides consultation and support to team in their work with complex co-occurring populations, and ways of intervening most effectively
  • Screens and assesses clients for mental health and substance use disorder needs
  • Provides informal services to clients at shelter sites who are not formal clients of HCRS, including referral and engagement activities
  • Makes referrals, as needed, for mental health, substance use disorder, and medical treatment, both routine and urgent
  • Outreach work in home community settings is required
  • Clinician will maintain records of client/participant contacts
  • Work reflects integration of the HCRS core mission and values.
  • Maintains good attendance and punctuality.
  • Demonstrates continued learning and professional development in designated field by attending in service and other training that address the ages and developmental level of the client/client/participant population served and attends annual mandatory training.
  • Customer Service/Courtesy: Demonstrates concern and courtesy to clients, families, vendors, and the general public by giving appropriate information, advice, and assistance.
  • Interpersonal Relations: Demonstrates behaviors that encourage cooperation, support and teamwork with other employees.
  • Adheres to Code of Conduct Policy at all times with clients and staff.
  • Emergency Preparedness: Demonstrates or verbalizes proper procedures in responding to fire drill and disasters.
  • Safety: Demonstrates safe work practices appropriate for the position, i.e., how to report a safety hazard, proper body mechanics, and use of personal protective gear. Reports incidents according to procedures.
  • Infection Control: Demonstrates or states an understanding of standard precautions appropriate for the assigned position and the environment in which it is located.
  • Confidentiality: Maintains confidentiality of all personnel and client/client/participant information as documented by signed confidentiality statements and as described in Confidentiality & Privacy Policy and HIPAA policy and regulations.
  • Assumes responsibility for continuing education, professional development and up to date mandatory training in designated field.
  • Client’s Rights: Demonstrates behaviors that recognize the rights of client/client/participant as defined in Client Rights Policy and procedures.
  • Demonstrates knowledge of Performance Improvement process and participates in developing and implementing annual objectives.
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