Counselor - PRN

MALVERN INSTITUTE FOR PSYCHIATRIC & ALCOHOLIC STUDIES•Upper Moreland Township, PA

2d•Onsite

About The Position

Malvern Treatment Centers is seeking a PRN Counselor to work as needed Monday through Friday during normal business hours at its Willow Grove Campus in Willow Grove, Pennsylvania. The Counselor works with patients on aspects of addiction treatment and participates as an active member of the treatment team. The position supports patient safety, wellness, and well-being through assessments, treatment planning, documentation, counseling, and continuing-care coordination. The Counselor administers assessments; develops and revises individualized treatment goals; contributes to diagnostic summaries; documents progress in the electronic medical record; and completes case conference records, treatment plans, and transition summaries. The role includes addressing problematic behaviors, helping patients and families participate in treatment, communicating with referral sources, and arranging aftercare and transitions. The Counselor may also provide case management, lectures, and group therapy as required, evaluate potential admissions, and recommend levels of care and lengths of stay using ASAM criteria. The position requires 25 hours of training per year, along with other assigned duties. Candidates must meet one of the stated education and experience pathways: a qualifying degree in a related field with the associated practicum and, where applicable, experience or a training plan; current Pennsylvania registered nurse licensure with a nursing degree and counseling experience; or full certification as an addictions counselor. A related master’s degree is preferred. The employer describes the role as experienced, while also noting that no job experience is required for the master’s-degree pathway.

Requirements

Meet one of the following qualification pathways: a master’s degree in a related field; a bachelor’s degree with the required associated experience; an associate degree with the required associated experience; current Pennsylvania registered nurse licensure plus a degree from an accredited nursing school and at least one year (minimum 1,820 hours) of counseling experience; or full certification as an addictions counselor.
For the degree pathway, hold a degree from an accredited college in chemical dependency, psychology, social work, counseling, nursing with a clinical specialty in human services, or another related field, including a practicum in a health or human service agency, preferably in a drug and alcohol setting.
If the practicum or counseling experience was not in a drug and alcohol setting, have a written training plan specifically addressing how counseling competency in chemical dependency issues will be achieved.
Be client-focused and team-oriented, with strong interpersonal and communication skills.
Be flexible in response to sudden changes in workload, emergencies, or staffing needs, and be dependable.
Have problem-solving skills and a focus on compliance and performance quality.
Have knowledge of 12-step recovery and an understanding of chemical dependency.
Be able to provide individual counseling and group therapy.
Work in a supportive, caring, and nonjudgmental manner with staff and patients to gain confidence and cooperation.
Serve as a role model through speech and behavior consistent with recovery principles.
Communicate confidently and articulately and speak effectively to groups and individuals to provide education or training.
Demonstrate proficiency in educating, communicating with, and empathizing with patients, and in answering questions and concerns respectfully.

Nice To Haves

A master’s degree in a related field is preferred.
Clinical experience in a health or human service agency, preferably in a drug and alcohol setting.

Responsibilities

Counsel patients regarding aspects of addiction treatment and participate as an active member of the treatment team.
Promote patient safety, wellness, and well-being.
Administer assessments, establish and revise individualized treatment goals, and participate in preparing diagnostic summaries.
Document patient progress in the electronic medical record in a manner that supports utilization management and aligns with treatment-plan goals and objectives.
Complete case conference documentation in a timely manner.
Address problematic patient behaviors.
Support improvements in treatment delivery and participate in ongoing education.
Keep referral sources informed of patient progress in a timely manner.
Communicate with patients’ families and facilitate their participation in treatment.
Maintain appropriate boundaries by keeping personal issues separate from therapeutic relationships and processes.
Assume case-management responsibilities and provide lectures and group therapy as required or requested.
Arrange aftercare for patients in a timely manner, including in cases of discharge against medical advice (AMA).
Complete treatment plans and transition summaries on time and comprehensively.
Evaluate potential admissions, refer patients to an appropriate level of care, and determine appropriate lengths of stay using ASAM criteria.
Involve patients in the treatment-planning process and facilitate transitions appropriately.
Complete 25 hours of training per year.
Perform other functions as assigned.