SUBSTANCE USE COUNSELOR

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

8d•$25 - $26

About The Position

Under general supervision, the Substance Use Counselor provides residential and clinical support to substance use disorder clients. The counselor maintains confidentiality and ethical standards identified by NYS OASAS and other relevant governing bodies, supports collaborative communication among program staff, and helps ensure a trauma-informed care environment. This role is at an all-male residence. The counselor carries a client caseload and provides individual therapy, case management, treatment planning, admissions and discharges, and support with medication processes. The role also includes life-skills programming, monitoring the residential environment, crisis intervention, recreational activities, documentation, and coordination with internal and external service providers. The counselor participates in on-call coverage, team activities, agency meetings, and professional development.

Requirements

Associate’s degree in Social Work or a related Human Services field.
Required credential: QHP, CASAC-T, CASAC, LMSW, LCSW, NCCC, LMHC, CRC, RN, or PhD; Counselor I candidates must have CASAC-T.
Valid and clean New York State driver’s license.
Adhere to applicable federal and state laws and regulations, including confidentiality, privacy, program, billing, and documentation standards.
Successfully complete a background check as a condition of an employment offer.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Provide residential and clinical support services for clients with substance use disorders.
Carry a caseload of clients and provide individual therapy services.
Complete paperwork related to client services in compliance with agency and regulatory standards.
Manage 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 requirements.
Provide life-skills programming, including vocational and educational readiness, parenting, anger management, planning, financial literacy, community integration, daily living, medication and symptom management, and recovery and relapse-prevention skills.
Facilitate life-skills education through individual sessions and educational or skills-development sessions.
Coordinate outside speakers for life-skills programming and communicate client and residential community needs to the residential team.
Monitor residents and activities to maintain a safe, therapeutic environment; conduct weekly house checks and individual sessions.
Document unusual incidents or situations and communicate with appropriate staff regarding clients.
Work with the Program Manager on monthly housekeeping reports and submit work-order requests to Facilities.
Act as the designated on-call contact in the Program Manager’s absence and provide crisis intervention and conflict management as needed.
Assist clients with food and hygiene on a situational basis.
Facilitate recreational activities, coordinate with the residents’ planning committee, and arrange community recreation using the department vehicle.
Participate in the on-call schedule, team and residential activities, relevant agency meetings, and trainings.
Communicate client needs to the Program Manager and work cooperatively with internal and external partners.
Pursue professional development through reading, supervision, in-service training, conferences, and workshops.
Support the agency’s mission, vision, values, strategic plan, and core competencies.