Substance Use Disorder Counselor

Ellen O'Brien Gaiser Addiction Center • Butler, PA

2d

About The Position

This is a professional counseling and case management position in the drug and alcohol field. All work is performed within State of PA licensure guidelines and in accordance with Gaiser Center established policies and procedures. Working as a substance use disorder counselor requires patience, dedication, and a desire to help people in crisis. This position provides client's confidential counseling and support, with the goal of encouraging a healthy, addiction-free lifestyle.

Requirements

• Knowledge of substance use disorder practices, subculture, and treatment methods.
• Knowledge of crises intervention methods; individual, family, group, and marital counseling techniques, Motivational Interviewing techniques as well as other theories of substance use disorder treatment.
• Knowledge of treatment facilities and human services agencies that provide substance use disorder services and associated behavioral health service needs.
• Excellent organizational skills including the ability to plan and organize.
• Must have the ability to multitask and work in a high-stress environment.
• Must abide by professional ethical standards.
• Must conform behavior to the highest standards of ethical practice.
• Candidate must meet Commonwealth of PA Department of Health Division of Drug and Alcohol Licensure staffing qualifications for position of counselor: Master's Degree with a major in chemical dependency, psychology, social work or other human services related field which includes a practicum in a health or human services agency, preferably in a drug and alcohol setting; or a Bachelor's Degree with a major in chemical Dependency, psychology, social work or other human services Related field and at least 1 year of documented and supervised clinical experience working with chemically dependent.
• Have a valid PA driver's license in good standing preferred
• Pre-employment Drug Testing
• Satisfactory Criminal Background Check

Nice To Haves

• CAC, CCDP, or CCJP PA state certification preferred; or Associate Degree from an accredited college with a major in chemical dependency, psychology, or related field, and two years of clinical experience in a drug and alcohol setting.

Responsibilities

• Assess and professionally evaluate the drug and alcohol needs of individuals following the guidelines of ASAM, DSM V; knowledge of PA Act 106 and other Drug & Alcohol statutes and laws.
• Provides all required client charting for assigned caseload; writing intake notes, treatment plans, treatment plan updates, referral notes, aftercare plans, and discharge summaries, etc.
• Develop meaningful, comprehensive, and individualized treatment plans using client input and monitor progress and measure results.
• Conducts intake interviews with clients and performs utilization review with insurance carriers/funding sources.
• Responsible for all admit, continued stay, and discharge ASAM authorizations.
• Facilitates process groups, didactic groups, and conducts individual and family counseling/therapy sessions following evidence-based treatment modalities.
• Researches/prepares relevant materials for sessions.
• Manages client records by having all required and appropriate documentation; documentation must be completed within required time frames.
• Present summaries of cases at staff meetings and elicits input from other counselors, and supervisors.
• Coordinate with other healthcare providers, agencies, and community resources to ensure continuum of care.
• Provides Crisis Interventions
• Ability to empathize with clients.
• Counselor will be required to maintain 25 CEU's per fiscal year.
• Comply with Federal confidentiality rule (42 CFR Part 2). The Federal rule prohibits you from making any disclosure of confidential information unless further disclosure is expressly permitted by the written consent of the person to whom it pertains or as otherwise permitted by 42 CFR Part 2.
• Comply with all State confidentiality laws.
• Ensure compliance with policies and procedures
• Attend and participate in staff meetings, conferences, staff development trainings, etc.
• Promote and follow safe working practices and take necessary steps to prevent injuries

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Entry Level