Substance Use Counselor

Alpharus Health•Polk City, FL

18d•Onsite

About The Position

Alpharus Health is a national nonprofit behavioral health provider dedicated to helping people build healthier lives. For nearly 60 years, we have provided substance use and mental health treatment that helps individuals, families, and communities find healing, hope, and lasting wellbeing. Our mission is simple: We help people build healthier lives. By combining clinical expertise with a person-centered approach, we help people build the skills, resilience, and support systems needed to create meaningful, lasting change. This role involves providing behavioral healthcare services in Corrections. Perks of working in correctional healthcare include the opportunity to make a positive impact on a marginalized population, exposure to diverse patient demographics, a focus on driving change, tracking progress, and improving care, and the development of skills in a unique healthcare setting.

Requirements

Candidates with a Bachelor's/Master's degrees in a related field will also need at least 6 months of professional experience in substance use counseling and/or mental health counseling.
If the degree is not in a related field then the candidate needs 1 year of professional experience.
Candidates with PhD degrees will need 1 year of experience if their degree is not in a related filed.
Candidates with an Associate degree will need at least 4 years of professional experience in substance use counseling and/or mental health counseling.
Candidates with a H.S. diploma/GED need 6 years of experience.
Candidates who hold the Florida certifications for addiction counseling (Certified Addiction Professional [CAP], Certified Criminal Justice Addiction Professional [CCJAP], Certified Associate Counselor [CAC]) would also meet the criteria.
Basic knowledge of the principles of human growth and psychosocial development
Basic knowledge of group and individual dynamics, conflict resolution and intervention techniques based on client maturation level
Basic understanding of mental health disorders requiring referrals
Basic communication skills to exchange information and interact with various internal and external audiences regarding client care
Active listening skills and social perceptiveness
Ability to read and interpret policies and instructions
Ability to understand side effects and impact of medications on client
Adaptability / flexibility: ability to shift priorities

Responsibilities

Conducts client interviews to review substance use disorder and treatment history.
Evaluates client response to treatment to recommend modifications to the treatment plan and assist with caseloads and development of individualized treatment plan and preparing individually appropriate goals, interventions, and necessary support.
Assists with and provides basic didactic group counseling, including psychoeducation, drug education, and family education to ensure peer support occurs.
Provides individual client counseling, educational programs and lectures to address relapse prevention, problem solving, behavior modification, anger management, etc., and to assist in overcoming substance use disorder, adjusting to pro-social life, and making cognitive and behavioral changes.
Under direct supervision and with supervisor’s approval, carries caseload, per State and contract requirements.
Collaborates with clients to develop discharge summary and plans for supervisor’s approval to integrate aftercare treatment with referral resource services.
Coordinates required services to resolve emergency problems in crisis situations in support of continued recovery.
Collects and maintains treatment records and reports to ensure organizational, regulatory, accreditation, and contractual compliance.
Performs other duties as assigned.

Benefits

Medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees and dependents
Employee wellness program promoting health and fitness and offering cash-saving premiums
Employee assistance programs focused on mental health
403(b) Retirement Plan with 3% employer match
Short-term and Long-term Disability and Life and AD&D Insurance paid for by Alpharus
Flexible Spending Accounts for medical and dependent care
Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)
18 paid time off days per year – accrual rates increase with years of service
9 paid company holidays
Work-life-balance
Training & Development Programs
Tuition Reimbursement - up to $5,250 per calendar year
eLearning access to online courses that provide CEUs and job-related training
Clinical Supervision: Formal and informal guidance