Substance Use Specialist

Center for Alternative•The Bronx, NY

3d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Substance Use Specialist is an integral member of the Young Adult Assertive Community Treatment (YA ACT) multidisciplinary team. YA ACT provides mobile, community-based mental health treatment to promote recovery and community integration for people ages 18 to 28 with serious mental illnesses, co-occurring substance use disorders, and histories of criminal legal system involvement. The team delivers 80% of treatment services in community settings. The role calls for a clinician experienced in working with young adults with serious mental illness and co-occurring substance use disorders, and able to conduct assertive outreach and engagement using motivational interviewing and stage-wise interventions that address readiness for change. The specialist contributes knowledge of psychiatric disability and individual and group substance use treatment to support wellness, recovery, public safety, and reductions in criminal behavior. This is a full-time position, Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, totaling 35 hours per week excluding breaks. The workplace is described as flexible for work that can be partially remote, such as drafting notes at home after morning visits to the office or community. The office is at 424 East 147th Street, 1st Floor, Bronx, NY 10455, and is accessible by public transportation. The salary range is $68,959 to $72,000 per year.

Requirements

LMSW, LCSW, or LMHC with a current New York State license.
At least one year of experience working with individuals with serious mental illness and co-occurring substance use disorders.
Experience with evidence-based models for treating substance use and mental illness.
Extensive knowledge of Assertive Community Treatment, community-integrated treatment, support services, and resources.
Highly organized and self-motivated.
Proficient with computers.
Able to conduct physical outreach visits in the community at least 80% of the time.

Nice To Haves

Fluency in Spanish.
Additional CASAC credential.

Responsibilities

Attend and participate in daily team meetings to discuss clients’ clinical and case management issues and needs.
Complete documentation required by NYS Office of Mental Health and NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene licensing guidelines, NYS Medicaid billing guidelines, and CASES ACT policies and procedures.
Complete and update comprehensive assessments using standardized screening instruments for substance use, suicidality, and violence risk.
Identify treatment services based on the severity of substance use diagnosis, stage of change, and immediate needs; complete person-centered treatment plans.
Collaborate with family, friends, and other service providers regarding substance use treatment, post-hospital-discharge care coordination, housing, entitlements, education and vocational training, social support, and primary care needs.
Use motivational interviewing, recovery-oriented, and trauma-informed approaches when delivering services.
Complete required documentation and toxicology tests for consumers with active Assisted Outpatient Treatment (AOT) orders.
Provide 24-hour crisis intervention on-call services on a rotating basis.
Provide at least 80% of treatment contacts in the community and complete expected minimum monthly treatment contacts.
Lead substance use treatment groups when clinically indicated.
Provide culturally competent services in accordance with CASES policies and practice.