Substance Use Disorder Counselor - Medication Assisted Recovery

Carle Health•Peoria, IL

19d

About The Position

The Substance Use Disorder Counselor is an important part of high-quality behavioral health services for inpatients and/or outpatients. The counselor provides competent and professional services consistent with institutional goals, regulatory requirements, and professional ethical standards. Care is delivered compassionately through therapeutic relationships with patients and families, in collaboration with an interdisciplinary team. Evidence-driven protocols support reliable and consistent care. Patients may include adolescents, adults, and geriatric individuals. The role evaluates and counsels chemically dependent patients and their families, develops individual treatment plans, coordinates care and referrals, and supports treatment, discharge, and aftercare planning. It also includes patient and community education, professional development, documentation, and participation in rotating weekend inpatient evaluations.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Social Work, or a master's degree in Social Work, Counseling, Psychology, or a related field.
Basic Life Support (BLS) certification from the American Heart Association within 30 days.
Obtain one of the following credentials within the stated timeframe: LCSW or LCPC within 2 years; Licensed Social Worker (LSW) within 2 years; Certified Reciprocal Alcohol and Other Drug Counselor (CRADC) within 1 year; Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) within 2 years; Certified Advanced Alcohol and Other Drug Counselor (CAADC) within 1 year; Certified Supervisor Alcohol and Other Drug Counselor (CSADC) within 1 year; or Certified Alcohol and Other Drug Counselor (CADC) within 2 years.
Fluent English reading, writing, comprehension, and speaking skills.
Multicultural sensitivity.
Basic Microsoft Office and computer skills.
Customer- and patient-focused approach.
Critical-thinking skills and independent judgment in decision-making.
Demonstrated skill, organization, and efficiency in performing required patient activities.
Conceptual knowledge of chemical dependency treatment, continuum-of-care options, and the legal system affecting patients.

Responsibilities

Evaluate patients and provide counseling and therapeutic services to chemically dependent patients and families, assessing social, psychological, emotional, financial, and cultural concerns and chemical abuse history.
Recommend treatment and serve as a liaison and advocate for patients and families with the treatment network.
Maintain communication with referral sources, families, and others involved in treatment regarding patient progress, discharge plans, and aftercare plans.
Support patients and families throughout treatment and help them work toward positive outcomes.
Coordinate patient care with the interdisciplinary treatment team.
Develop individual treatment plans based on gathered information.
Facilitate programming for court-ordered referrals.
Help patients and families adjust to illness, build motivation for treatment, and make realistic post-treatment plans.
Coordinate completion of aftercare plans and recommend post-treatment referrals.
Document according to department guidelines.
Maintain knowledge of behavioral managed care and precertification and utilization review activities needed to obtain treatment approval.
Participate in rotating weekend inpatient evaluations.
Provide statistical data or special reports as required.
Continue professional development and participate in professional activities, networking, and research to enhance clinical practice.
Participate in community education as assigned.
Serve on professional organization committees or boards as appropriate.
Select teaching strategies and therapy modalities suited to patients’ and families’ age-specific needs, culture, gender, readiness to learn, and comprehension level.
Consult Behavioral Health Division resources to provide specialized education.
Promote patient and workplace safety by preventing errors, accidents, and infections and promptly reporting potential or actual concerns.
Provide educational in-services as assigned.
Participate in conjoint conferences with patients, concerned persons, and referral sources as appropriate.
Develop, promote, and maintain relationships with self-help programs such as AA, NA, and Al-Anon.
Participate in mandatory education and department staff meetings according to established guidelines.
Perform other duties as assigned.