Addiction Counselor Supervisor

Principal Responsibilities And Tasks

• Responsible for the first line administrative supervision of addiction counselors, trainees, peers, support staff, and students in a specialized addiction treatment environment.
• Assists in evaluation of problem areas in clinic functioning. Makes recommendations regarding program and staff assignments to program leadership (Program Director/Manager, Nursing Coordinator, and Medical Director).
• Arranges for adequate clinical coverage when team members are absent. Reviews team members’ administrative assignments and responsibilities, counsels them and employs disciplinary measures when members are not compliant with clinic standards.
• Ongoing evaluation of team members is performed through regular contact and annual evaluations. Reviews and prepares reports regarding team members’ documentation, billing, and productivity. Develops remediation plans if counselor goals are unmet.
• Equitably assigns addiction counseling and related responsibilities across supervisees. Conducts clinical team meetings with consulting psychiatrists and/or addiction medicine physicians and clinical staff to present new cases for assignment and treatment planning and ongoing cases for additional input.
• Sets up cases for team members based on assessment of caseload size and clinical expertise. Assists team to develop initial treatment plans on new cases; coordinates presentation of ongoing difficult cases for additional team input.
• Keeps statistics regarding volume of service, caseload size, admissions and discharges in order to have an equitable distribution of clinical work. Provides clinical consultation to team members in absence of clinical supervisor and in emergencies.
• Provides advanced addiction counseling and case coordination services for a caseload of the most difficult and complex cases. Advocates for patients with various social systems when appropriate, and coordinates treatment with other involved agencies. Provides case management, as needed.
• Documents clinical interventions and patient’s progress through regular case recordings, review, and reformulation of treatment plans. Consults with other disciplines to ensure adequate case management.
• Conducts intake interviews and presents intakes to clinical team for formulation of treatment plans. Provides consultation and educational services to community agencies as needed.
• Participates in interdisciplinary conferences with appropriate medical, nursing and administrative staff.

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

• Proficient knowledge of mental health treatment and case management is necessary.
• Proficient leadership qualities are required, including ability to manage the work of masters level clinicians from the core disciplines and ability to provide emergency consultation to staff.
• Proficient organization and problem-solving skills are required in order to develop/implement efficient work processes, and to successfully resolve difficult, conflict-oriented situations for the common good.
• Highly effective verbal and written communication skills are necessary in order to work effectively within the clinic setting.
• Ability to demonstrate knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the patient populations(s) served.
• Knowledgeable about accreditation, certification, and other Opioid Treatment Program (OTP) regulatory requirements.

Education And Experience

• Approved to supervise all levels of addiction counselors and alcohol and drug trainees as approved by the Maryland Board of Professional Counselors and Therapists.
• A Master’s Degree is required.
• Certified as an Alcohol & Drug Counselor.
• Three (3) years clinical experience in an addiction treatment setting is required.
• An additional year of experience in a lead/supervisory capacity is preferred.