CDOC (SOCIAL WORK/COUNSELOR III) - Substance Use Disorder Assessor - (DENVER)

State of Colorado • Denver, CO

1d • Onsite

About The Position

This position provides comprehensive Substance Use Disorder (SUD) assessments for justice-involved individuals, utilizing diagnostic tools to determine accurate ASAM levels of care, and provides professional behavioral health services to a population of offenders with substance use and co-occurring disorder treatment needs in compliance with behavioral health guidelines. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to: Provides substance use treatment services to the offender population, including substance use assessments, clinical interventions, and crisis management. Enter and update diagnostics based on assessment findings. Collaborates with medical staff regarding Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) behavioral services. Serves as consultant for unit staff regarding assessment, diagnosis, and treatment planning. Provides clinical direction to non-clinical staff in behavioral health care and treatment of offenders. Assures continuity of care for offenders by making appropriate referral and providing necessary information and documentation for receiving units, facilities, or agencies. Provides crisis intervention in conjunction with clinical standards regarding mental health professional privilege level. Informs offenders regarding substance use treatment. Communicates regarding complaints, problems, transfers, classifications, and offender behavioral management issues as it relates to substance use treatment. Monitors inmate treatment and documentation to assure compliance with standards, assures continuity of care, completes assigned tasks in compliance with overtime exempt status.

Requirements

• Licensed Addiction Counselor (LAC) credential issued by the Colorado State Board of Addiction Counselor Examiners or Licensed Clinical Social Worker (CSW) or Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) or Licensed Psychologist or Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT)
• One (1) year of licensed or license candidacy experience (e.g., Addiction Counselor Candidate) with the substance use and/or mental health.
• Self-control, a strong sense of ability to work in stressful, potentially violent situations
• Ability to remain alert, emotionally stable, and mentally resilient under pressure and observant throughout their shift
• Tolerance to stress, confinement, and high-stakes interaction.
• Knowledge and a thorough understanding of Substance Use Disorder treatment standards and guidelines
• Knowledge and a thorough understanding of Mental Health standards and guidelines
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to read and comprehend the English language
• Ability to effectively communicate fluently in English both verbally and in writing
• Ability to create accessible documents and technical content that follows plain language guidelines with accessibility in mind.
• Ability to provide direct patient care to inmates
• Must maintain required licensure.
• Possess a valid driver’s license.
• Possess a high school diploma or GED
• Have NO felony convictions
• Must be able to see and hear in order to observe, address and respond to potential breaches in safety and security
• Successfully pass all modules of the six-week Colorado Department of Corrections Basic Training, to include English reading comprehension , relevant competency assessments and written/practical exams in Defensive Tactics.
• Possess the physical ability to successfully complete Defensive Tactics
• Willing and able to work various shifts, days, afternoons, graveyards (nights) which includes a rotating shift schedule
• TB (tuberculosis) screening is required of all new employees upon hire
• Successful completion of a background investigation is required.
• Employees (see exception below) may use marijuana in their personal time but are prohibited from working while under the influence of any substance, including marijuana.
• A drug test will be administered to all new employees; employees must successfully pass.
• Random drug screening will occur throughout employment.

Nice To Haves

• Possession of a current, valid Licensed Addiction Counselor (LAC) credential issued by the Colorado State Board of Addiction Counselor Examiners
• Possession of a current, valid Certified Addiction Specialist (CAS) credential issued by the State of Colorado.
• Experience providing mental health treatment and discharge planning with the severely mentally ill and developmentally disabled population
• Experience providing Substance Use Disorder treatment
• Experience providing Substance Use Disorder treatment to justice involved populations.
• Experience conducting suicide risk assessments
• Experience working as a member of a multidisciplinary team.

Responsibilities

• Provides substance use treatment services to the offender population, including substance use assessments, clinical interventions, and crisis management.
• Enter and update diagnostics based on assessment findings.
• Collaborates with medical staff regarding Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) behavioral services.
• Serves as consultant for unit staff regarding assessment, diagnosis, and treatment planning.
• Provides clinical direction to non-clinical staff in behavioral health care and treatment of offenders.
• Assures continuity of care for offenders by making appropriate referral and providing necessary information and documentation for receiving units, facilities, or agencies.
• Provides crisis intervention in conjunction with clinical standards regarding mental health professional privilege level.
• Informs offenders regarding substance use treatment.
• Communicates regarding complaints, problems, transfers, classifications, and offender behavioral management issues as it relates to substance use treatment.
• Monitors inmate treatment and documentation to assure compliance with standards, assures continuity of care, completes assigned tasks in compliance with overtime exempt status.

Benefits

• Distinctive career advancement opportunities throughout the state system
• Strong, secure, yet flexible retirement benefits including PERA Defined Benefit Plan or PERA Defined; Contribution Plan plus 401K and 457 plans.
• Medical and dental health plans
• Short and long term disability coverage
• Paid life insurance
• 11 paid holidays per year plus vacation and sick leave
• Wellness program, tuition reimbursement, training opportunities and more

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: High school or GED