Substance Abuse Counselor

Community Medical Services•Tucson, AZ

41d

About The Position

Community Medical Services (CMS) is hiring a Substance Abuse Counselor to support patients recovering from opioid and other substance use disorders. The counselor facilitates individual and group sessions and helps patients develop treatment plans and coping strategies in a supportive outpatient setting. The position maintains a caseload, conducts assessments, creates individualized treatment plans, evaluates progress, coordinates care with community providers, and maintains compliant client records. The counselor may involve family and other natural supports according to client preference, coordinate with other systems, and assist with screening and coordination of primary care services. The role works with multicultural and low-socioeconomic-status populations.

Requirements

Must be at least 21 years of age.
High school diploma or GED plus two years of qualifying education, behavioral health experience, or a combination of both; alternatively, an associate degree plus two years of full-time behavioral health work experience, or a bachelor's degree plus one year of full-time behavioral health work experience.
A master's or bachelor's degree in a behavioral health-related field.
Knowledge of behavioral management, de-escalation, crisis intervention, and defusing techniques to prevent violent behavior harmful to self or others, and ability to apply these techniques to clients at varying levels of crisis.
Academic and working knowledge of DSM-5, community resources, clinical methods and procedures, and their application.

Responsibilities

Maintain and manage a caseload in compliance with regulatory standards and ratios.
Conduct individual counseling sessions and facilitate group counseling and educational presentations.
Complete comprehensive behavioral health assessments and individualized treatment plans in compliance with regulations and client needs.
Evaluate treatment effectiveness through ongoing assessment of clients and their natural supports, modifying service plans as needed.
Coordinate care with recovery and community-based service providers, make referrals, complete service-related documentation, and maintain chart compliance.
Include family and natural supports in treatment according to client preference.
Maintain and apply knowledge of developments in substance use treatment as required by state licensure.
Maintain collegial relationships with substance use professionals, programs, and associations.
Maintain thorough and comprehensive client records.
Serve as the point of contact for coordination and communication with other systems when clinical knowledge of the case is crucial.
Assist in screening for and coordinating primary care services for clients.