Community SUD Counselor (SUDP/T)

DESC•Seattle, WA

About The Position

The SUDP/SUDPT works collaboratively with agency staff & community resources to provide a range of services to clients with substance use disorders (SUD) using a harm reduction approach. Recovery goals and treatment length are defined by the client, not the program. Many clients have a sustained and/or complicated substance use history in addition to co-occurring mental health and physical disorders. Often people experiencing mental health issues, complex trauma, and health issues who lack access to proper treatment attempt to self-medicate with substances to lessen the symptoms. The ability to provide highly integrated services to people with concurrent mental health, substance use, and physical diagnoses are crucial components of our care. At DESC, our network of clinical services allows SUDPs/SUDPTs to work in coordination with care teams throughout the agency. This role will also partner with DESC’s MOUD program called ORCA POD. Care team members often include peers, mental health case managers, clinical support specialists, psychiatric nurse practitioners, nurses and supportive employment staff.

Requirements

Licensed by the State of Washington as a Substance Use Disorder Professional or Substance Use Disorder Professional Trainee in good standing.
For SUDPT: Attested to the WA State Department of Health that the applicant is currently enrolled in an educational program to meet the educational requirements of a SUDP. The requirement for full licensure is an associate degree.
Interest or experience in working with clients who are difficult to engage and maintain in traditional mental health programs.
Ability to communicate and work effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds.
Subscribe to the philosophy of cooperation and continuity across programs and of consideration and respect for clients.

Nice To Haves

Bi-cultural and/or bilingual background/experience.
Experience working with adults experiencing homelessness and severe mental illness.

Responsibilities

Perform substance use disorder assessments, intake evaluations, individual and group therapy, create Individual Service Plans (ISP) with clients, care coordination within and outside of DESC.
Participate in weekly supervision (with direct supervisor) and team meetings (both SUD and ORCA POD). SUDPTs will participate in a weekly SUDPT learning academy.
Participate as a member of a multi-disciplinary team and present clients needing extra support during weekly psychiatric consultation.
Coordinate care conferences with entire care teams when issues are initially identified by the SUDP/SUDPT.
Participate (if needed) in monthly Quality Assurance/Quality Inprovement (QA/QI) meetings.
Participate in all required DESC in-service and King County sponsored trainings.
Follow all DESC agency policies & procedures.
Ensure timely documentation of all services provided as outlined by King County and DESC.
Participate in research related to services at DESC within the agency and outside entities (UW, HCA, etc.).
Maintain credential licensing on time. If SUDP, maintain continuing education requirements. If SUDPT, be enrolled in school per DOH requirements and provide documentation to employer.
Other duties as assigned.
Support your clients with achieving and maintaining healthy living conditions. This can include but is not limited to attending care conferences related to living conditions, outreaching and supporting clients in their residential units with tools and skills to maintain their units, coordinating with housing staff, participating in cleaning out clients’ units, and documenting barriers to maintaining healthy living conditions.