SUD Counselor - WellConnect

DESC•Seattle, WA

1d•$39 - $43

About The Position

The Substance Use Disorder Professional (SUDP) on DESC’s WellConnect team provides substance use disorder programming to Permanent Supportive Housing residents with complex needs who are underserved by traditional office-based care. The multidisciplinary team delivers intensive, wrap-around services onsite and in the community, including substance use treatment, care coordination, psychiatric services, peer support, housing stability services, and psychotherapy. The position’s time is divided approximately 80% between facilitating the SUD program and 20% direct case management. Treatment is stage-based, non-confrontational, informed by the interaction of mental illness and substance use, and guided by client-determined goals. The role also includes preparing assessments and coordinating referrals for inpatient treatment, consulting with team members, and supporting clients in maintaining healthy living conditions. The listed schedule is an office day shift from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., with one late shift from noon to 8 p.m.; days off are Friday and Saturday. WellConnect provides services across extended hours, including weekend and holiday coverage, and team members participate in on-call rotations for 24-hour crisis coverage. The position is union-represented by SEIU Healthcare 1199NW.

Requirements

Active Substance Use Disorder Professional (SUDP) license issued by the Washington State Department of Health; license must be in good standing.
Ability to drive an agency or personal vehicle for agency-related business, with a current Washington State driver’s license and an insurable driving record.
Interest or experience working with clients who are difficult to engage or retain in traditional mental health or substance use disorder programs.
Interest or experience working with adults who are experiencing or have experienced homelessness, mental illness, co-occurring substance use disorders, and involvement in the criminal legal system.
Strong understanding of recovery and resilience, client partnership and choice, and balancing protection from harm with personal dignity.
Strong knowledge of relevant community resources and how to access them.
Strong communication and writing skills.
Ability to work effectively with clients displaying a wide range of unpleasant and/or bizarre behaviors.
Ability to communicate and work effectively with people from diverse backgrounds.
Commitment to cooperation and continuity across programs, and to consideration and respect for clients.

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.
A non-judgmental approach 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 program, with approximately 80% of time devoted to program facilitation and 20% to direct case management.
Update clients’ substance use treatment plans monthly based on their identified stage of change and propose evidence-based interventions appropriate to each stage.
Serve as the 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 accounts for 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 treatment and support groups as appropriate.
Monitor and coordinate replacement of the program’s 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.
Participate in psychiatric consultation, clinical supervision, program and team meetings, in-service trainings, clinical reviews, and case conferences.
Maintain current, timely, and complete clinical records; follow clinical accountability policies and procedures; and participate in quality assurance reviews when assigned.
Comply with data gathering, submission, research, and evaluation requirements.
Participate in verbal de-escalation during emergencies and assist other staff in maintaining a safe and secure environment.
Help plan and facilitate unit mitigations and support clients in maintaining healthy living conditions, including outreach, care conferences, coordination with housing staff, timely work orders, unit clean-outs, 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.
Prepare assessments for inpatient treatment programs and coordinate inpatient treatment referrals through King County.
Perform other duties as assigned.