SOCIAL WORK/COUNSELOR II - Substance Use Disorder - Denver 404

State of Colorado • Denver, CO

12d • Onsite

About The Position

This position provides substance use disorder services to the inmate population, to include formal and informal behavioral health evaluations, diagnostic assessments, and clinical interventions. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to: Provides substance use and co-occurring disorder treatment services under clinical supervision; Collaborates with other mental health professionals to ensure co-occurring issues; Serves as consultant for unit staff regarding assessment, diagnosis, and treatment planning; Monitors inmate treatment and documentation to assure compliance with standards and to assure continuity of care; Assures accurate Information System behavioral health needs levels, and provides group, brief, and individual treatment; Provides clinical direction to non-clinical staff in behavioral health care and treatment of inmates. Assures continuity of care for inmates by making appropriate referral and providing necessary information and documentation for receiving units, facilities, or agencies; Provides crisis intervention in conjunction with clinical standards regarding mental health professional privilege level; Documents both handwritten and electronically in an accurate and timely manner to provide comprehensive inmate behavioral health records; Communicates directly with inmates regarding their behavioral health care such as consequences of maladaptive behavior and desired and undesirable effects of prescribed behavioral health medication; Listens to inmate concerns and provides counseling and direction; Communicates to advise, counsel, inform and/or guide staff within the clinical unit, the facility, clinical and administrative supervisors and outside agencies to ensure continuity and direction of behavioral health care; Communicates and responds to complaints, problems, transfers, classifications, and inmate behavioral management issues; Responsible for maintaining standards of the program or work unit through compliance with all applicable professional, departmental, organizational and unit standards; Promotes and is accountable for the safety and security of the clinical and correctional environment through conscientious observations, and sensitive item contraband control.

Requirements

• Current, valid Colorado license or registered candidate as a: Licensed Social Worker (LSW) or Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) or Licensed Professional Counselor Candidate (LPCC) or Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist Candidate (LMFTC) or Addiction Counselor Candidate (ADDC)
• Current, valid full license from Colorado in any of the above fields also meets the requirements for this classification.
• Ability to provide direct behavioral health care to inmates
• Ability to provide comprehensive clinical documentation
• Ability to work independently
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to collaborate effectively across facility programs and with external stakeholders
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Must maintain certification/licensure as an addiction counselor
• Ability to work with a diverse population of inmates
• Strong organizing, planning and prioritizing skills
• Keen ability to multi-task and demonstrate flexibility
• Ability to provide addiction counseling as part of a multi-disciplinary team
• Ability to be creative when implementing therapeutic interventions
• Ability to read and comprehend the English language
• Ability to effectively communicate fluently in English both verbally and in writing
• Ability to create accessible documents and technical content that follows plain language guidelines with accessibility in mind
• Self-control, a strong sense of ability to work in stressful, potentially violent situations
• Ability to remain alert, emotionally stable, and mentally resilient under pressure and observant throughout their shift
• Tolerance to stress, confinement, and high-stakes interaction
• Possess a high school diploma or GED
• Must be 21 years of age
• Possess a valid driver’s license
• Applicants must have valid U.S. work authorization at the time of application
• Successfully pass all modules of the six-week Colorado Department of Corrections Basic Training, to include English reading comprehension, relevant competency assessments and written/practical exams in Defensive Tactics
• Possess the physical ability to successfully complete Defensive Tactics
• Must be able to see and hear in order to observe, address and respond to potential breaches in safety and security
• Demonstrate body agility, strength of all four limbs and the ability to walk and climb stairs consistently
• Work in situations involving assaultive behavior, physical control of another person and/or restraint situations
• Deal with individuals with a range of moods and behaviors, utilizing tactfulness and a congenial, personable manner
• Work with people of the opposite sex, diverse racial ethnic groups, mentally ill and emotionally disturbed offenders
• Communicate by talking, listening and/or signaling people to convey or exchange information, assignments
• Work in an environment with fluctuating noise and temperature (hot and cold) which may include working outdoors in inclement weather and/or concrete floor/wall work settings
• Willing and able to travel
• Willing and able to work various shifts, days, afternoons, graveyards (nights) which includes a rotating shift schedule
• TB (tuberculosis) screening is required of all new employees upon hire
• Successful completion of a background investigation is required

Nice To Haves

• Experience providing addiction treatment to an incarcerated population
• Experience providing addiction treatment to a diverse population
• Experience working with highly resistive clients
• Experience administering multidimensional substance use assessments
• Experience providing addiction counseling in an inpatient and outpatient setting

Responsibilities

• Provides substance use and co-occurring disorder treatment services under clinical supervision
• Collaborates with other mental health professionals to ensure co-occurring issues
• Serves as consultant for unit staff regarding assessment, diagnosis, and treatment planning
• Monitors inmate treatment and documentation to assure compliance with standards and to assure continuity of care
• Assures accurate Information System behavioral health needs levels, and provides group, brief, and individual treatment
• Provides clinical direction to non-clinical staff in behavioral health care and treatment of inmates
• Assures continuity of care for inmates by making appropriate referral and providing necessary information and documentation for receiving units, facilities, or agencies
• Provides crisis intervention in conjunction with clinical standards regarding mental health professional privilege level
• Documents both handwritten and electronically in an accurate and timely manner to provide comprehensive inmate behavioral health records
• Communicates directly with inmates regarding their behavioral health care such as consequences of maladaptive behavior and desired and undesirable effects of prescribed behavioral health medication
• Listens to inmate concerns and provides counseling and direction
• Communicates to advise, counsel, inform and/or guide staff within the clinical unit, the facility, clinical and administrative supervisors and outside agencies to ensure continuity and direction of behavioral health care
• Communicates and responds to complaints, problems, transfers, classifications, and inmate behavioral management issues
• Responsible for maintaining standards of the program or work unit through compliance with all applicable professional, departmental, organizational and unit standards
• Promotes and is accountable for the safety and security of the clinical and correctional environment through conscientious observations, and sensitive item contraband control

Benefits

• Distinctive career advancement opportunities throughout the state system
• Strong, secure, yet flexible retirement benefits including PERA Defined Benefit Plan or PERA Defined; Contribution Plan plus 401K and 457 plans
• Medical and dental health plans
• Short and long term disability coverage
• Paid life insurance
• 11 paid holidays per year plus vacation and sick leave
• Wellness program, tuition reimbursement, training opportunities and more

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: High school or GED