COUNSELOR ASSISTANT

Guardian Recovery•Portland, OR

21h•Onsite

About The Position

The purpose of the Counselor Assistant is to help provide a safe environment for individuals while they are in programming. The Counselor Assistant aids in the admissions process, answers client questions, and supports clients in adjusting to the program routine. The Counselor Assistant is the liaison between the client and the staff to report any changes in the client’s physical or mental condition. The Counselor Assistant is responsible for supervising clients with emphasis on client safety and wellbeing. Additionally, the Counselor Assistant is responsible for completing admin duties for the office.

Requirements

Graduation from High School or GED.
Must have two years of continuous sobriety prior to hire, if a alcoholic or drug addict and participate in a self-help program.
None (Experience)
Minimum NCPRSS or above (or willing to obtain)
Current CPR
Maine specific requirement: Minimum of an ADCA required within 30 days of hire. If not currently held, ADCA or higher must be obtained within 30 days of start date.
Nebraska specific requirement: Must work under supervision of a Nebraska-licensed LIMHP or a professional dually licensed as LMHP and LADC.
Utah specific requirement: Certified SUD Counselor Intern (CSUDC) in Utah if providing direct SUD support.
Georgia specific requirement: Mental Health: Must hold at least a master’s degree in counseling or a related field and obtain the Associate Professional Counselor (APC) license from the Georgia Composite Board. This includes completing a practicum/internship, passing a national exam, and working under supervision. Substance Abuse: Entry-level counselor assistants (Certified Addiction Counselor I, or CAC I) need only a high school diploma or GED, 40 hours of approved training, and 4,000 hours of supervised experience. Certification is through the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Certification Board of Georgia (ADACB-GA) or the Georgia Addiction Counselors Association (GACA).
Vermont specific requirement: Substance Abuse: Can begin with a high school diploma and work toward CADC certification Mental Health: Need to be enrolled in or have completed a master’s program and work under supervision.
New Mexico requirements: A minimum of associate degree in a related field, such as behavioral science, education or psychology and a supervision by a licensed professional.
General knowledge of addictions and mental health complications.
General knowledge of 12-Step Recovery Program.
Knowledge and competency in problem solving, stress management, ethics and team building.
General knowledge of alcohol and other drugs that includes: Alcohol and addictive drugs and their physical, emotional, intellectual, and spiritual impact on the individual. Alcohol and addictive drugs and their impact on the family.
Ability to determine if a medical emergency exists and to take appropriate action, when necessary.
Knowledge of emergency procedures used in case of alcohol and/or drug overdose.
Knowledge of the stages of alcohol and other drug withdrawals and ability to take appropriate action at each stage.
Knowledge of Federal, State and Municipal laws and/or regulations that regulate the treatment of alcoholism and drug addiction, including: Confidentiality Client Rights Professional Code of Ethics Discrimination
Knowledge of airborne and blood borne pathogens (TB, HIV, AIDS, HB) and risk reduction methodologies and the use of universal precautions.
Flexibility to adapt to schedule changes and assumption of responsibilities not delineated in the job description which are related to work as a member of an addiction treatment team.
Adult or Adolescent (Age Specific Individuals Served/ Responsibility)

Nice To Haves

Willing to obtain Minimum NCPRSS or above
If not currently held, ADCA or higher must be obtained within 30 days of start date. (Maine Specific)
Certified SUD Counselor Intern (CSUDC) in Utah if providing direct SUD support. (Utah Specific)
Must hold at least a master’s degree in counseling or a related field and obtain the Associate Professional Counselor (APC) license from the Georgia Composite Board. This includes completing a practicum/internship, passing a national exam, and working under supervision. (Georgia Specific - Mental Health)
Entry-level counselor assistants (Certified Addiction Counselor I, or CAC I) need only a high school diploma or GED, 40 hours of approved training, and 4,000 hours of supervised experience. Certification is through the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Certification Board of Georgia (ADACB-GA) or the Georgia Addiction Counselors Association (GACA). (Georgia Specific - Substance Abuse)
Can begin with a high school diploma and work toward CADC certification (Vermont Specific - Substance Abuse)
Need to be enrolled in or have completed a master’s program and work under supervision. (Vermont Specific - Mental Health)
A minimum of associate degree in a related field, such as behavioral science, education or psychology and a supervision by a licensed professional. (New Mexico Specific)
Peer recovery educational groups if ADCA certified or above. (Maine Specific)
Ability to recognize signs of withdrawal (Texas Only)
Client observation and monitoring skills/ procedures (Texas Only)
Knowledge of pregnancy related complications (Texas Only)
Knowledge of complications requiring transfers (Texas Only)
Knowledge of appropriate interventions (Texas Only)
Knowledge of frequently used medications including purpose, precautions, and side effects (Texas Only)

Responsibilities

Assist with the admission process on new client admissions and orientation procedures and schedules.
Facilitate all orientation groups with clients.
Fill out required lab requisitions per protocol.
Know where clients are at all times.
De-escalates AMA and other client problems.
Participate in all staff meetings as scheduled.
Provides liaison with staff and other Tech to ensure that all clients’ needs are being met.
Provides supervision of meals, including coordination of meal planning, supervision of servers, and cleanup crew after each meal.
Ensure that garbage is disposed of properly after each meal.
Monitor group rooms to ensure cleanliness after each activity.
Hand off information at the end of each shift, maintaining logbooks for the continuity of care and participating in shift turnover, ensuring that the next shift has Tech on duty.
Participate in required staff training.
Participate in all staff meets as scheduled.
Supervise clients by completing the program with emphasis on client safety and wellbeing.
Remind clients of program rules and regulations as necessary and report infractions appropriately.
Provide emotional support for clients while referring them to clinical staff to deal with clinical issues.
Complete incident reports according to policy in a timely, accurate manner.
Communicate with other staff as necessary to promote quality client care.
Participate in maintaining clean, properly supplied, and efficient work areas.
Complete UA Screen Collection per protocol.
Complete HCG screen per protocol.
Ensure client and staff satisfaction surveys are completed.
Conducts vital checks and suicide screenings per protocol.
Observe and report safety and maintenance problems.
Interact appropriately with clients, showing them respect while maintaining boundaries.
Coordinate and ensure that all facility inspections and safety drills are completed at required intervals.
Maintains accurate logs for the facility (including refrigeration temperature logs).
Open all mail and forwards to appropriate parties, including bank deposits.
Maintain accurate inventory of facility supplies and orders accordingly.
Exercise sound professional judgment and seek assistance as necessary to effectively manage client behavior.
Protect the privacy of all client information in accordance with GRNH, LLC’s privacy policies, procedures, and practices, as required by federal and state law, and in accordance with general principle of professionalism as a healthcare provider. Failure to comply with the company’s policies and procedures on client privacy may result in disciplinary action up to and including termination of employment.
May access protected health information (PHI) and other patent information only to the extent that it is necessary to complete your job duties. The incumbent may only share such information with those who have specific client information you have in your possession to complete their job responsibilities related to treatment, payment or other GRNH, LLC operations.
Expected to report, without the threat of retaliation, any concerns regarding GRNH, LLC’s policies and procedures on client privacy and any observed practices in violation of the policy to their supervisor.
Perform other duties assigned
Peer recovery educational groups if ADCA certified or above. (Maine Specific)
Ability to recognize signs of withdrawal (Texas Only)
Client observation and monitoring skills/ procedures (Texas Only)
Knowledge of pregnancy related complications (Texas Only)
Knowledge of complications requiring transfers (Texas Only)
Knowledge of appropriate interventions (Texas Only)
Knowledge of frequently used medications including purpose, precautions, and side effects (Texas Only)