Counselor

Montefiore Health System•New York, NY

10d•Onsite

About The Position

The Counselor provides individual and group counseling and case management to people receiving integrated substance abuse treatment and primary care services at Montefiore Medical Center. The role includes psychosocial assessment, treatment planning, substance abuse counseling, coordination of care, and support with clinical, vocational, educational, financial, and social-service needs. Counselors document patient services and progress in clinical records and billing systems, participate in team meetings and supervision, and help maintain continuity of care. The position may require work at alternative DOSA locations and shifts based on operational need.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree with CASAC license, or a master’s degree in Social Work, Mental Health Counseling, or Marriage and Family Therapy from an accredited school.
Must maintain at least one of the following licenses or certifications: CASAC, MSW, MHC, or MFT.
If holding a New York State limited permit, must have an executed Memorandum of Understanding with a licensee for supervision and obtain a license within six months of employment.
At least one year of experience in addiction counseling.
OHS Annual Assessment required.
OHS Fit Test required.
Computer skills, including Outlook and Microsoft Word.

Responsibilities

Complete comprehensive psychosocial assessments upon admission and document relevant updates in periodic reviews.
Instruct patients in program policies and procedures and document that review in the clinical chart.
Develop, implement, and review treatment plans on the required quarterly, semiannual, and annual schedule.
Provide substance abuse counseling to individuals, groups, and families, including counseling focused on motivation, education, planning, crisis intervention, relapse aftercare, and prevention.
Coordinate comprehensive services for patients on the counseling caseload and present patients at interdisciplinary care meetings as required.
Monitor patients’ responses to methadone treatment through individual counseling and toxicology review.
Evaluate vocational, educational, and learning needs and provide referrals as appropriate.
Conduct preliminary evaluations of patients’ mental health needs, including psychiatric symptoms and risk of suicidality or homicidality, and arrange psychiatric referrals when indicated.
Evaluate patients’ eligibility for entitlements such as Public Assistance, SSI, and Medicaid, and refer them to appropriate agencies or financial staff as needed.
Enter patient data into the HRA/STARS computerized database in a timely manner.
Act as a liaison between patients and outside agencies, completing referral materials and documenting communications.
Attend scheduled interdisciplinary, staff, morning report, case management, and other necessary team meetings.
Maintain patient records, progress notes, consent forms, clinical charts, required forms, and treatment plans in accordance with program policies and regulatory requirements.
Refer patients to other services and agencies needed for recovery, follow up on referrals, and support continuity of care, including hospital visits and linkage between services.
Present cases in supervision, interdisciplinary care meetings, and daily reports as needed.
Ensure counselor-specific billable services are entered accurately and promptly, and follow up on billing matters and patient payment information.
Attend seminars, trainings, and grand rounds identified as important for staff development.
Directly supervise toxicology sample collection for patients as required by federal and state regulations and document supervised urine collections.
Meet with family members, significant others, and outside providers as appropriate for clinical management and care.
Work at alternative DOSA locations and shifts when required by operational need.