CASAC (Brooklyn)

About the role

Provide direct alcohol/substance abuse counseling and treatment services to homeless clients, individuals, and families to address social and substance abuse problems. Assist clients in setting goals that will promote stability and empower them. Work as part of the Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH) team.

Responsibilities

• Provide case management and substance abuse counseling services to homeless clients with co-morbid substance abuse issues.
• Complete substance abuse assessments to identify client needs and treatment goals.
• Engage clients in substance abuse counseling, treatment, and other rehabilitative services.
• Deliver substance abuse counseling in sessions, including education on harm reduction, relapse prevention, and abstinence.
• Collaborate with internal staff to monitor clients’ treatment and medication compliance, addressing episodes of non-adherence.
• Establish individualized intervention or treatment plans to promote identified goals.
• Use motivational interviewing, stages of change, and seeking safety modalities to counsel clients and improve overall functioning.
• Utilize a team approach through regular collaboration with multidisciplinary staff to ensure clients’ healthcare needs are met.
• Provide advocacy for clients and families around treatment, entitlements, and other necessary services.
• Deliver direct services, including individual counseling, crisis intervention, conflict resolution, advocacy, psycho-education, coordination of services, and follow-up on referrals.
• Encourage and support clients to take an active role in their treatment plans.
• Maintain required documentation in the EMR database (eCW) and update client records in accordance with governmental and agency policies.
• Facilitate substance abuse groups to address addictive behaviors and promote relapse prevention.
• Complete group progress notes as required by agency policy.
• Identify, network, and collaborate with community substance abuse service providers, maintaining an up-to-date directory of resources.
• Initiate and maintain referral relationships with State, City, and private agencies providing substance abuse treatment services, including residential modalities.
• Arrange transportation for clients to intake interviews at treatment programs and treatment-related appointments.
• Directly escort clients to treatment interviews or related appointments when needed.
• Coordinate with internal departments and external providers.
• Participate in regular supervision, team meetings, case conferences, and staff training.
• Maintain a flexible schedule, including evenings, weekends, and holidays.
• Perform other duties as required.

Qualifications

• Active CASAC Certification for the state of New York.
• Experience and familiarity with various substance abuse and clinical treatment modalities and resources.
• Minimum of five (5) years of experience working with mentally ill, medically frail, homeless, or special needs populations (preferred).
• Associate's degree preferred.
• Exceptional skills at motivating clients to seek substance abuse treatment.