Addiction Counselor

About the role

This position provides substance use disorder services to the offender population, including formal and informal behavioral health evaluations, diagnostic assessments, and clinical interventions. The role is eligible for a $5,000 hiring incentive; current and previous state employees do not qualify.

Responsibilities

• Serves as consultant for unit staff regarding assessment, diagnosis, and treatment planning
• Monitors offender treatment and documentation to ensure compliance with standards and continuity of care
• Assures accurate behavioral health needs levels in the Information System and provides group, brief, and individual treatment
• Provides clinical direction to non-clinical staff in behavioral health care and treatment of offenders
• Ensures continuity of care by making appropriate referrals and providing necessary information and documentation for receiving units, facilities, or agencies
• Documents electronically in an accurate and timely manner to maintain comprehensive offender behavioral health records
• Listens to offender concerns and provides counseling and direction
• Communicates to advise, counsel, inform, and/or guide staff within the clinical unit, facility, clinical and administrative supervisors, and outside agencies to ensure continuity and direction of behavioral health care
• Communicates and responds to complaints, problems, transfers, classifications, and offender behavioral management issues
• Maintains standards of the program or work unit through compliance with all applicable professional, departmental, organizational, and unit standards
• Promotes and is accountable for the safety and security of the clinical and correctional environment through conscientious observations and sensitive item contraband control

Qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree in alcohol and drug abuse studies, counseling, psychology, or a related field is preferred
• One year of full-time experience participating in the delivery of behavioral health treatment in a drug and alcohol program, mental health program, or sex offender program
• Current, valid certification from the State of South Dakota as a Licensed Addiction Counselor (LAC) or Certified Addictions Counselor (CAC)

Substitutions

• A Master’s or Doctorate Degree from an accredited institution in a behavioral health science or closely related field will substitute for the bachelor’s degree and/or required experience on a year-for-year basis
• Experience providing addiction treatment will substitute for the education requirement on a year-for-year basis

Required Competencies

• Ability to provide direct behavioral health care to offenders
• Ability to provide comprehensive clinical documentation
• Ability to work independently
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to collaborate effectively across facility programs and with external stakeholders
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Must maintain certification/licensure as an addiction counselor
• Ability to work with a diverse population of offenders
• Strong organizing, planning, and prioritizing skills
• Keen ability to multitask and demonstrate flexibility
• Ability to provide addiction counseling as part of a multidisciplinary team
• Ability to be creative when implementing therapeutic interventions
• Ability to read and comprehend the English language
• Ability to effectively communicate fluently in English both verbally and in writing
• Ability to create accessible documents and technical content that follows plain language guidelines with accessibility in mind

Preferred Qualifications

• State service experience providing addiction treatment to an incarcerated population
• Experience providing addiction treatment to a diverse population
• Experience working with highly resistive clients
• Experience providing addiction counseling in an inpatient and outpatient setting

Conditions of Employment

• The SD DOC is committed to a work environment free from illegal drugs and alcohol
• All job offers are contingent upon successful completion of a background investigation, urine drug screen, and the candidate’s ability to perform the essential functions of the position
• Individuals selected for the position will have the opportunity to carry Oleoresin Capsicum (OC/pepper spray) if desired; if carried, direct (level 1) exposure training is required
• Individuals must successfully complete a written and practical self-defense exam and CPR to AHA guidelines, including both practical and written components
• Selected individuals must possess the physical ability to complete the practical self-defense exam, which involves lifting arms above head and kicking as high as own waist; stabilizing another person for a controlled takedown; using arms, palms, shins, and feet to deliver blows; withstanding impact on own body from strikes; rotating body 90 degrees with feet planted; getting down on one or both knees and up again with multiple repetitions
• TB screening is required of all new employees upon hire