Substance Abuse Specialist For Mental Health And Homeless Services SUD RADT CADC

Mental Health America of Los Angeles•Long Beach, CA

About The Position

Mental Health America of Los Angeles (MHALA) has nearly a century of experience as a pioneer in mental health service, advocacy, innovation, and training, dedicated to helping individuals with mental health needs achieve meaningful, healthy lives within their communities. As one of the largest and most comprehensive nonprofit mental health agencies in Los Angeles County, MHALA annually supports over 19,000 low-income and no-income individuals through integrated services in mental and physical healthcare, homelessness and housing, supported employment, and wellness and financial services, with specialized programs for Veterans and transition-age youth. MHALA also provides training for the behavioral health workforce and the broader community on mental health issues. The agency prioritizes its employees' well-being, fostering a culture of communication, collaboration, transparency, and work/life balance, including a 35-hour workweek and encouragement for self-care. MHALA promotes diversity and offers opportunities for growth. The Substance Abuse Specialist, under the direct supervision of the Program Manager, will engage individuals experiencing substance abuse disorders and link them to necessary services.

Requirements

High School/GED diploma
Current certification as a Certified Addiction Counselor or similar.
Must be either a certified SUD Counselor OR another FSP-ICM Team member (such as a Community Health Worker, Case Manager, or Clinician) who has received appropriate training and demonstrates the competence to provide integrated behavioral health care treatments to support clients with SMI and SUD.
Familiarity with local community resources for individuals experiencing homelessness and/or low income
LPS designation if/when eligible in order to facilitate 5150 involuntary holds when needed
Must have good basic English writing skills
Good basic computer skills
Highly organized.
Excellent communication skills.
Ability to juggle multiple tasks without losing productivity.
Function well in a team-oriented approach to member services
Demonstrate knowledge of community resources
Proficient in computer applications such as Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook
Possess a high level of tolerance and understanding for a work atmosphere that is very busy and highly unstructured, and for individuals who present for services with urgent multiple needs, issues, and problematic behavioral characteristics
Know or very quickly become knowledgeable of the characteristics of individuals who are substance abusing and/or dually diagnosed, and have knowledge of local services available for dually diagnosed individuals
Flexible work schedule to include some evenings or weekends, and on-call cell phone services when necessary
Driving with current class C driver’s license, a vehicle for transportation, proof of valid automobile insurance, the ability to be insured by MHALA’s liability insurance are conditions of employment
TB clearance and re-testing every year are conditions of continued employment
COVID-19 vaccinations or booster shots are not currently required, however this may become a requirement in the future. Failure to abide by any agency policy, including those relating to a vaccine or booster shot may result in termination of employment

Nice To Haves

Bilingual; Spanish/English speaking preferred

Responsibilities

Conduct ongoing comprehensive substance use assessments, including the ASAM screening tool
Provide individual, group, and/or family informational and educational counseling to clients moving through the continuum of recovery.
Help Clients access community-based self-help groups, residential programs, and detoxification programs.
Teach clients harm-reduction skills to manage cravings, triggers, and high-risk behaviors, especially in the context of co-occurring SMI and SUD.
Work with other FSP-ICM team members to ensure delivery of all substance use disorder services, including MAT
Build collaborative partnerships with existing and new community resources and providers for linkage and and support purposes
Complete all documentation and maintain all paperwork and other required documentation as required for program compliance and accountability in accordance with MHALA standards and funding source requirements.
Handle a small case load of members
Work with all FSP teams with their members who are seeking SUD services.
Provide clients’ family members and significant others with a greater understanding of their role in the client’s recovery process
Work with other FSP-ICM team members to ensure delivery of all substance use disorder services including MAT.