SUD COUNSELOR (CERTIFIED) - PIR/PIRM

Neighborhood House Association•San Diego, CA

2d•$32 - $37

About The Position

The Certified Substance Use Counselor provides services to incarcerated adults age 18 and older who have substance use or mental health challenges, including co-occurring disorders, as they prepare for release from detention facilities. The counselor provides Targeted Case Management (TCM), including individual and group sessions, and coordinates community-based resources to support successful reentry and continuity of care. The position provides services consistent with applicable CalAIM Behavioral Health Linkage fee-for-service requirements, meets required productivity standards, and maintains accurate and timely documentation. The counselor uses culturally responsive, trauma-informed, recovery-oriented, and person-centered practices with people from diverse cultural, linguistic, social, and reentry backgrounds. The role also follows through on referrals and service linkages to promote client engagement and service effectiveness, and performs related duties as assigned. Employees work under typical office conditions, with a usually quiet noise level, and may also work in field-based settings. Transportation of clients in a personal vehicle is required.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED equivalent.
Current and active Substance Use Disorder Counselor certification through a California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS)-recognized certifying organization, such as CADTP, CCAPP, or CAADE.
Completion of the education, supervised experience, and examination requirements established by the applicable certifying organization.
Ability to maintain certification and complete required continuing education throughout employment.
Knowledge of case management principles, recovery-oriented care, and trauma-informed engagement strategies.
Experience providing substance use disorder counseling, assessments, treatment planning, case management, and referrals to appropriate levels of care.
Knowledge of substance use disorders, co-occurring mental health conditions, evidence-based treatment approaches, relapse prevention, motivational interviewing, and recovery-oriented services.
Ability to conduct clinical assessments and develop appropriate case management and treatment plans.
Ability to facilitate individual and group counseling, psycho-educational and reentry-focused groups, and provide crisis intervention.
Skill in identifying client needs and securing appropriate linkages to housing, employment, vocational training, behavioral health, and community-based supports.
Experience assisting clients with job readiness, applications, and mock interviews.
Ability to collaborate with multidisciplinary partners, including corrections, probation or parole, courts, and community agencies.
Ability to maintain partnerships with law enforcement, community agencies, and reentry stakeholders; provide client advocacy and follow-through to support continuity of care.
Knowledge of documentation standards, chart maintenance, data tracking, and accurate record keeping for accountability logs, client progress, and service delivery.
Ability to maintain accurate documentation, communicate effectively, and apply professional judgment with tact and cultural sensitivity.
Ability to maintain confidentiality and professional boundaries.
Ability to prioritize tasks, organize workload, interpret regulations, analyze complex service needs, identify solutions, and implement action plans in office and field-based settings.
Ability to operate standard office and database software, including software for documentation, spreadsheets, and database reporting.
Strong written and verbal communication skills and sound judgment within program policy guidelines.
Possess and maintain a valid California driver's license and an acceptable driving record.
Current and valid California automobile insurance.
CPR/First Aid certification, to be obtained within six months of hire.
TB test upon hire and maintained every four years.
Ability to transport clients in a personal vehicle.

Nice To Haves

An associate or bachelor's degree in social work, psychology, behavioral health, human services, or a related field.
Experience providing services to individuals with co-occurring substance use and mental health disorders.
Experience conducting substance use and mental health assessments, intakes, service plans, and progress reviews.
Experience providing outreach, presentations, and community engagement.
Knowledge of ASAM criteria, DSM-V diagnostic categories, motivational interviewing, CBT, and recovery-based care coordination best practices.
Knowledge of cultural and socioeconomic factors affecting LatinX, African American, and Transition Age Youth populations, as well as justice-involved adults.
Knowledge of the County's System of Care, legal and ethical issues, criminogenic risks and needs, and human behavior theory.
Knowledge of local community, reentry, and mental health resources supporting incarcerated or recently released individuals.
Knowledge of group dynamics and facilitation strategies.
Bilingual communication in English and Spanish; bilingual candidates must pass a bilingual competency test before their hire date.
Sheriff's background clearance.

Responsibilities

Provide Targeted Case Management services in accordance with applicable medical necessity, documentation, service authorization, billing, and fee-for-service requirements.
Conduct crisis intervention, identify client needs, and coordinate referrals and linkages to mental health treatment, substance use treatment, housing, employment, and other community-based support services.
Complete job-readiness activities, including employment applications, community resource linkages, and mock interviews.
Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team and consult with management as needed to coordinate services, address barriers, and support client progress and continuity of care.
Complete treatment and service plans, progress notes, and other required documentation; maintain accurate and timely client charts, service records, logs, and related records.
Meet established productivity expectations, including service delivery, documentation, and reporting standards, while maintaining quality of care and program compliance.
Provide direct transportation or schedule transportation through Medi-Cal transportation services for appointments and community service linkages; conduct outreach and community engagement as needed.
Provide culturally responsive and linguistically appropriate services, when applicable, and apply multicultural best practices and cultural humility.
Ensure program safety, maintain positive working relationships with law enforcement and community partner agencies, and monitor client progress.
Work effectively and respectfully with underserved and marginalized populations, including individuals with sex offender registration requirements, transgender and gender-diverse individuals, and people living with severe mental illness or co-occurring substance use disorders.
Apply trauma-informed and person-centered practices while recognizing barriers and lived experiences that may affect service access, treatment engagement, and successful reentry.
Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

15 holidays
401(k) retirement with 6% match
Paid vacation and sick leave
Tuition reimbursement up to $2,500
Two personal days
Group medical, dental, and vision insurance
Agency-paid life insurance and long-term disability insurance
Live Well Program
Four paid annual bereavement days, with a total of five bereavement days per loss
Health and dependent care flexible spending accounts
Voluntary life and AD&D, accident, short-term disability, and critical illness insurance
Free Employee Assistance Program (EAP)