Counselor Assistant

About the role

The Counselor Assistant plans, directs and coordinates medically-approved programs for patients in hospitals, substance abuse facilities, or other institutions. Inspires and motivates RCA clients to help them develop tools to work toward recovery using evidence-based and person-centered practices.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate clients' mental and physical health, addiction, or problem behavior and assess their readiness for treatment.
• Help clients develop treatment goals and plans.
• Review and recommend treatment options with clients and their families.
• Help clients develop skills and behaviors necessary to recover from their addiction or modify their behavior.
• Work with clients to identify behaviors or situations that interfere with their recovery.
• Teach families about addiction or behavior disorders and help them develop strategies to cope with those problems.
• Refer clients to other resources and services, such as job placement services and support groups.
• Conduct outreach programs to help people identify the signs of addiction and other destructive behavior, as well as steps to take to avoid such behavior.
• Perform any other job-related duties as assigned.

Skills and education

• Bachelor's degree in Social Work or Mental Health Counseling preferred and must be working on a Master's Degree in Social Work or Mental Health Counseling.
• Licensure as a MHC, LMHC, LMSW, LCSW, or Ph.D. in Psychology preferred.
• One to three years of experience in a behavioral healthcare or substance abuse setting serving culturally diverse populations preferred.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills required.
• Excellent organizational skills with the ability to prioritize workload and meet deadlines.
• Must be able to work in a fast-paced environment with demonstrated ability to juggle multiple competing tasks and demands.
• Exceptional analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Proven ability to handle multiple projects under pressure.
• Strong knowledge of a variety of computer software applications in word processing, spreadsheets, and presentations (MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint).
• Understanding of diverse cultures and gender-specific issues and the ability to incorporate needs of gender and culturally diverse groups into the organization.
• Maintains appropriate confidentiality at all times when interacting with patients, residents, families, visitors, referral sources and all other contacts.
• Exhibits excellent customer relation skills as evidenced by supportive and constructive communication with all contacts including coworkers, patients, residents, visitors, families and referral sources.
• Knowledge of case management for dual diagnosis patients.

Work environment

This position operates in a clinical behavioral health environment serving patients with substance use and mental health disorders. The Counselor Assistant works directly with patients and regularly interacts with members of the clinical and treatment team. The role involves frequent communication with patients in individual and group settings and may require responding to varying patient needs and behaviors. The position routinely uses standard office and clinical equipment, including computers, telephones, and other electronic documentation systems. The noise level and activity level may vary depending on the patient care setting and daily clinical activities.

Physical demands

While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to use hands to finger, handle or feel objects, tools or controls. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move objects up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision and the ability to adjust focus.

Travel

Travel is primarily local.