SUBSTANCE USE COUNSELOR

CATHOLIC CHARITIES FAMILY AND COMMUNITY SERVICES•City of Rochester, NY

8d•$25 - $26•Onsite

About The Position

Catholic Charities Family and Community Services (CCFCS) is hiring a full-time Substance Use Counselor to provide residential and clinical support to clients with substance use disorders. Under general supervision, the counselor maintains confidentiality and ethical standards established by NYS OASAS and other relevant governing bodies, supports collaborative communication among program staff, and helps ensure a trauma-informed care environment. The position is based in an all-male residence and is scheduled for 40 hours per week: Sunday 8 a.m.–4 p.m. and Monday–Thursday 1 p.m.–9 p.m. The stated pay range is $24.50–$26.00 per hour, depending on experience. The counselor carries a client caseload and provides individual therapy, case management, treatment planning, and support with admissions and discharges. The role includes managing medication procedures, coordinating client services with internal and external partners, and delivering life-skills programming. The counselor also monitors residents, supports a safe and therapeutic residential environment, documents incidents, helps coordinate recreation, participates in crisis response and an on-call schedule, and contributes to team and agency activities. The position requires an associate degree in social work or a related human services field, a valid and clean New York State driver’s license, and one of the listed professional credentials. For Counselor I, CASAC-T is specified. Two or more years of experience with substance use disorder clients or mental health services, Spanish bilingual ability, and recovery peer advocate training are preferred as indicated in the posting.

Requirements

Associate degree in social work or a related human services field.
Valid and clean New York State driver’s license.
A required credential listed in the posting: QHP, CASAC-T, CASAC, LMSW, LCSW, NCCC, LMHC, CRC, RN, or PhD. Counselor I requires CASAC-T.
Offer of employment is contingent on successful completion of a background check.
Ability to perform the stated essential functions, with reasonable accommodations available for individuals with disabilities.

Nice To Haves

At least two years of experience working with substance use disorder clients or in mental health services.
Bilingual ability in Spanish.
Recovery peer advocate training.

Responsibilities

Provide residential and clinical support services to clients with substance use disorders and carry a caseload.
Complete paperwork related to client services in compliance with agency and regulatory standards.
Provide individual therapy services.
Handle admissions, discharges, and treatment plans.
Manage medication processes and procedures for program participants.
Provide case management to support client participation in treatment and support services.
Coordinate services with agency staff, outpatient substance use treatment providers, vocational and educational providers, criminal justice agencies, and community organizations.
Assist clients in meeting Department of Human Services (DHS) requirements.
Develop and deliver life-skills programming, including vocational and educational planning, parenting, anger management, planning, financial literacy, community integration, daily living, medication and symptom management, and recovery and relapse prevention skills.
Facilitate one-on-one life-skills education and educational or skills-development sessions as needed.
Coordinate outside speakers and communicate with the residential team about life-skills needs.
Monitor residents and help maintain a safe, therapeutic environment; conduct weekly house checks and individual weekly sessions.
Document unusual incidents or situations and communicate client needs to appropriate staff and the Program Manager.
Work with the Program Manager on monthly housekeeping reports and submit work-order requests to Facilities.
Ensure resident activities are safe and therapeutic; plan recreation with the residents’ planning committee and facilitate recreational activities, including community activities using the department vehicle.
Participate in team and residential activities, agency meetings, and trainings.
In the Program Manager’s absence, serve as the designated on-call contact and provide crisis intervention and conflict management as needed; participate in the on-call schedule and mediate crises at the residential program as needed.
Assist clients with food and hygiene on a situational basis.
Work cooperatively with internal and external partners.
Pursue professional competency development through reading, supervision, in-service training, conferences, and workshops.
Support the agency’s mission, vision, values, strategic plan, and core competencies, including collaboration, community focus, innovation, entrepreneurship, cultural competence, and diversity.
Follow appropriate supervisory directions and perform other related duties as required.
Adhere to applicable federal and state laws and regulations, confidentiality and privacy requirements, program, billing, and documentation standards, and the agency’s corporate compliance and ethics program.