Substance Abuse Counselor

Real House Inc•Elizabeth, NJ

19h•$55,000 - $65,000

About The Position

The Substance Abuse Counselor works under the supervision of the Substance Abuse Director and provides treatment services to clients with a documented history of drug and/or alcohol abuse. The position includes preparing case histories and records, facilitating group and individual counseling, planning for release, making referrals, and performing related duties. The counselor assesses clients’ needs and substance-related disorders, determines appropriate levels of care, develops and delivers client-centered treatment plans, and reviews treatment needs throughout each episode of care. The role also involves discharge and transfer planning, coordination with referral sources, participation in multidisciplinary teams, case consultation, and thorough documentation of services and assessments in clients’ clinical records. The position requires reliable attendance, professional representation of Real House, Inc., adherence to organizational policies and procedures, effective communication and working relationships with staff and volunteers, and the ability to maintain confidentiality and appropriate boundaries.

Requirements

At least one of the following qualifications: LCADC or CADC.
Strong written and oral communication skills.
Ability to work flexible hours.
Ability to work in and adapt to the culture of a multicultural, community-based organization.
Good interpersonal skills and ability to relate well to people from varied socioeconomic and cultural groups.
Commitment to maintaining confidentiality.
Understanding of the agency’s mission and culture and ability to maintain appropriate boundaries with staff and clients.
Computer proficiency, especially with Outlook, Word, Excel, and customized databases.
Ability to lift 25 pounds.
Ability to ascend and descend up to three flights of stairs during a normal workday.
Valid driver’s license or reliable transportation.
CPR and First Aid certification.
Employment is contingent upon clear fingerprint and criminal history records.

Responsibilities

Assess clients’ counseling needs.
Assess clients using the ASI or another standardized assessment tool; assess adolescents using the CASI or another evidence-based validated assessment tool; and diagnose substance disorders using the DSM-IV-TR.
Determine the appropriate level of care based on ASAM PPC-2R.
Obtain previous records relevant to the current treatment episode.
Collaborate with clients to develop written, client-centered, recovery-oriented treatment plans with goals and measurable objectives.
Provide substance abuse counseling services specified in client treatment plans.
Review clients throughout the treatment episode according to ASAM PPC-2R to determine the need for continued services or discharge/transfer.
Review and revise, where necessary, the substance abuse counseling portion of client treatment plans to address emerging problems.
Develop client discharge and transfer plans to support movement to appropriate levels of care.
Contact referral sources and provide case consultation and coordination, including with mental health providers, criminal justice agencies, schools, employers, and the Division of Youth and Family Services.
Participate as a member of a multidisciplinary team for assigned clients.
Provide active case consultation.
Document counseling and education services, assessments, reassessments, referrals, and follow-up in clients’ clinical records, including appropriate signatures and dates for paper and electronic entries.
Maintain reliable and consistent attendance and punctuality.
Represent Real House, Inc. professionally and follow its policies and procedures.
Communicate with people at all levels of Real House, Inc. and maintain good working relationships with staff and volunteers.