Clinical Associate PRN 1st and 2nd Shift

About the role

The Clinical Associate assists counseling staff in delivering direct and indirect services to patients, fostering a safe and therapeutic environment. This role supports patient assessment, treatment involvement, and recovery experiences.

Responsibilities

• Provides information to patients and family members about clinical programs, services, schedules, and guidelines.
• Creates and maintains a welcoming, safe, and healing environment for patients and families throughout care.
• Assists counseling staff with initial and ongoing patient assessments through data collection and direct observation.
• Performs luggage and personal property searches as needed.
• Delivers addiction and recovery-related psycho-education to individuals, groups, and families, and facilitates community groups, 12-step meetings, and discussion/study groups.
• Transports patients to 12-step meetings or therapeutic activities using company vehicles, adhering to fleet safety guidelines.
• Assists with recreation, art, music, and adventure-based therapies alongside Activities Services staff.
• Manages the patient community as a therapeutic milieu, ensuring adherence to community guidelines and recovery principles.
• Intervenes in clinical and community crises to leverage therapeutic value, including de-escalation, CPR, and First Aid when necessary.
• Participates in team meetings, treatment plan reviews, staff meetings, and quality management teams.
• Documents clinical information in the electronic patient record.
• May assist with patient transportation for admissions and discharges.
• Recommends improvements for service quality and delivery.
• Ensures proper handling and distribution of company funds.
• Maintains confidentiality of company and patient information.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED required; Bachelor’s degree preferred.
• One year of experience in addictions treatment preferred.
• CPRS certification preferred but not required.
• Valid Tennessee Driver’s License preferred (may transport patients using company vehicles).
• Intermediate computer skills, including Microsoft Outlook, Word, and Excel.
• Ability to learn and use various clinical software.
• Strong problem-solving, analytical, and decision-making skills, with the ability to seek consultation when needed.
• Adaptability to changing circumstances and patient needs in a fast-paced environment.
• Cultural sensitivity and openness to diverse patient experiences.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English.
• Ability to interact collaboratively with patients and coworkers while providing guidance and training.
• Ability to model and teach 12-step programs and philosophy.
• Ability to de-escalate crises calmly and professionally, and work effectively in stressful situations.
• Ability to present to hostile or disinterested groups.
• If in recovery, requires eighteen months of verifiable abstinence; active participation in a twelve-step program preferred.

Work Environment

• Campus setting with outdoor walking between buildings; requires normal safety precautions.
• Frequent contact with emotionally volatile individuals, requiring additional safety measures.
• May perform CPR/First Aid (certification or eligibility required).
• Varying shifts, including weekends, overnights for inclement weather, and occasional travel to off-site facilities.
• Ability to lift up to 20 lbs and/or push/pull up to 40 lbs; navigate uneven and rural terrain.
• Requires speaking, hearing, seeing, sitting, walking, standing, reaching, and fine/gross motor skills.