SUD Counselor - WellConnect

Downtown Emergency Service Center•Seattle, WA

14h

About The Position

The Substance Use Disorder Professional (SUDP) works on DESC’s WellConnect program, a modified assertive community treatment team serving Permanent Supportive Housing residents with complex needs who are underserved by traditional office-based care. The interdisciplinary team provides services including community integration, systems navigation, care coordination, psychiatric medication management, peer support, housing stability services, co-occurring substance use treatment, and individual and group psychotherapy. The SUDP divides time approximately 80% between facilitating the substance use disorder program and 20% direct case management. The role provides individual and group SUD treatment in office and community settings using a stage-based, non-confrontational model that considers interactions between mental illness and substance use and prioritizes client-determined goals. The SUDP develops and updates treatment plans, consults with and trains team members on SUD issues and harm reduction, and coordinates referrals and community resources. The position also supports clients in maintaining healthy living conditions, participates in clinical and program meetings, maintains complete clinical records, and helps maintain a safe environment. Work is scheduled for office day hours, 8 a.m.–4 p.m., with one late shift, 12 p.m.–8 p.m.; the listed days off are Friday and Saturday. WellConnect team members participate in rotating service coverage and on-call rotations for crisis coverage.

Requirements

Hold an active Washington State Substance Use Disorder Professional (SUDP) license in good standing, issued by the Washington State Department of Health.
Be able to drive an agency or personal vehicle for agency-related business.
Have a current Washington State driver’s license and an insurable driving record.
Have an interest in or experience working with clients who are difficult to engage or maintain in traditional mental health or substance use disorder programs.
Have an interest in or experience working with adults experiencing or having experienced homelessness, mental illness, co-occurring substance use disorders, and involvement in the criminal legal system.
Understand recovery and resilience, client partnerships and choice, and the balance between protection from harm and personal dignity.
Have strong knowledge of relevant community resources and how to access them.
Have strong communication and writing skills.
Be able to work effectively with clients displaying a wide range of unpleasant and/or bizarre behaviors.
Be able to communicate and work effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds.
Support cooperation and continuity across programs and consideration and respect for clients.
Meet the position’s physical demands, including prolonged sitting, talking and hearing, lifting and carrying items up to 40 pounds, operating computer hardware, and required vision abilities.

Nice To Haves

Associate degree or higher in a relevant social science.
Ability to respond positively and empathetically to all people.
Understanding of the value of meaningful and deep client engagement.
Potential to acquire the knowledge, attitudes, and skills of an effective SUD Counselor.
Value a non-judgmental response to sensitive issues.
Ability to accept feedback and work in a highly collaborative and stressful environment.
Comfort with harm reduction and motivational interviewing approaches.

Responsibilities

Facilitate WellConnect’s substance use disorder programming, spending approximately 80% of work time on the program and 20% on direct case management.
Update clients’ substance use treatment plans monthly according to their identified stages of change and propose evidence-based interventions.
Serve as the WellConnect team’s subject matter expert on substance use disorders and consult with team members on SUD issues, treatment, education, and harm reduction practices.
Provide staff training on substance use issues as appropriate.
Provide individual and group SUD treatment in office and community settings using a stage-based, non-confrontational approach that considers co-occurring mental illness and substance use and supports client-determined goals.
Develop support and treatment plans with clients and facilitate connections to collaborative resources when appropriate.
Plan, organize, and facilitate client treatment and support groups as appropriate.
Monitor and coordinate replacement of WellConnect harm reduction supplies.
Advocate for clients’ access to community resources and services, protect client rights, and collaborate with community providers to ensure continuity of care.
Build and maintain collaborative relationships with DESC staff and other service and resource organizations.
Prepare assessments for inpatient treatment programs and coordinate inpatient treatment referrals through King County.
Participate in psychiatric consultations, supervision, program and team meetings, in-service trainings, clinical reviews, and case conferences.
Maintain current, timely, and complete clinical records; follow agency clinical accountability policies and procedures; participate in quality assurance reviews when assigned.
Comply with data gathering, submission, research, and evaluation requirements.
Participate in verbal de-escalation during emergent situations and assist other staff in maintaining a safe and secure environment.
Help plan and facilitate unit mitigations for clients on the caseload, including care conferences, outreach and support in residential units, coordination with housing staff, assistance with unit cleanouts, and documentation of barriers.
Attend the weekly DESC SUD team meeting and consult with the SUD Clinical Supervisor and SUD Senior Program Manager at least monthly.
Participate in daily morning meetings and other clinical and program activities.
Perform other duties as assigned.