Substance Abuse Counselor

Management and Training Corporation•Woodville, MS

3h•Onsite

About The Position

The Substance Abuse Counselor is responsible for implementing and maintaining an effective substance abuse program at the Wilkinson County Correctional Facility. The program emphasizes awareness, prevention, staff training, and connections with community resources, while complying with American Correctional Association standards and Management & Training Corporation and Mississippi Department of Corrections directives. The position reports to the deputy warden of programs. The counselor assesses inmates with identified substance abuse problems, develops plans to modify or control behavior, and ensures assessments and plans are documented in inmates’ medical records. The role also provides staff training, conducts substance abuse and tobacco cessation classes and other educational and prevention sessions, supports substance-abuse-related health education and facility procedures, and encourages awareness throughout the facility. The counselor develops community resource linkages, models positive social skills, intervenes when inappropriate behaviors are observed, and maintains accountability of inmates and property while following safety practices. Other duties may be assigned within the incumbent’s capabilities. Annual in-service training requirements must be completed successfully.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in social work, counseling, psychology, criminology, or a related field; where applicable, must be a licensed substance abuse counselor in Mississippi.
Valid Mississippi driver’s license with an acceptable driving record, unless waived by management.
Successfully complete annual in-service training requirements after hire.

Nice To Haves

Two years of substance abuse treatment experience preferred.
Directly related experience may be considered in lieu of formal education requirements if approved by management.

Responsibilities

Develop and implement a system to coordinate and integrate substance abuse prevention components with other facility programs.
Assess inmates with identified substance abuse problems and develop and implement plans to modify or control behavior, working with inmates, counselors, instructors, and the mental health consultant as appropriate.
Ensure assessments and plans regarding substance abuse problems are documented in inmates’ medical records.
Provide comprehensive ongoing staff training on substance abuse, including awareness, identification and reporting, counseling skills, and team building.
Assist with providing substance-abuse-related materials and information for the health education program and with developing health services standing orders and facility operating procedures.
Conduct substance abuse and tobacco cessation classes, group education, peer support, and other prevention sessions for inmates and staff.
Encourage awareness of substance abuse issues throughout the facility.
Develop connections with community resources for substance abuse services.
Promote positive social skills by modeling appropriate behaviors and intervening when inappropriate behaviors are observed.
Maintain accountability of inmates and property and adhere to safety practices.
Perform other duties as assigned within the incumbent’s capabilities.