Chemical Dependency Counselor (Therapeutic Community) (RCCF)

Responsibilities

• serves as consultant for unit staff regarding assessment, diagnosis, and treatment planning
• monitors offender treatment and documentation to assure compliance with standards and to assure continuity of care
• assures accurate Information System behavioral health needs levels, and provides group, brief, and individual treatment
• provides clinical direction to non-clinical staff in behavioral health care and treatment of offenders
• assures continuity of care for offenders by making appropriate referral and providing necessary information and documentation for receiving units, facilities, or agencies
• documents electronically in an accurate and timely manner to provide 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, the 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
• responsible for maintaining 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 related field is preferred.
• AND------Applicant must have 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.
• AND------Applicant must possess a current, valid certification from the State of South Dakota as a Licensed Addiction Counselor (LAC) or Certified Addictions Counselor (CAC).
• SubstitutionsA 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 multi-task and demonstrate flexibility
• ability to provide addiction counseling as part of a multi-disciplinary 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