Counselor

About the role

Pinnacle Treatment Centers is a leading provider of comprehensive addiction treatment services, committed to transforming lives through compassionate care. Our approach is rooted in evidence-based practices, focusing on the holistic well-being of our patients, and treating our teammates with the same level of individualized compassion and empathy.

Responsibilities

• Provides orientation to new patients to the programs’ rules, policies, procedures, and patients' rights.
• Conduct Intakes, Discharge Planning, Initial Assessments, and Initial Treatment Plans professionally and within time guidelines as required by applicable federal and state regulation, CARF guidelines and Pinnacle Policies.
• Involves patients in the assessment, treatment planning, and intervention aspects of treatment, which provides the patient with a sense of entitlement to their own recovery.
• Administers the biopsychosocial assessment, which evaluates all areas of patients' lives, including their addictions, medical and mental health history, socioeconomics, legal, etc. at intake and on an ongoing basis.
• Recognizes and utilizes patients’ Strengths, Needs, Ability, and Preferences (SNAP), to develop and implement individualized Treatment Plans that effectively help patients to meet their short & long-term goals.
• Determines the clinical necessity of counseling services based on the clinical assessment and evaluation of the patients.
• Maintains and circulates minutes from treatment team/case conference sessions to the other staff members.
• Advise, in writing, other staff members (including the clinic manager, supervising counselor, dispensing nurse and front office) of high-risk patients and their condition.
• Provide professional counseling and referral services by: Addressing patients’ clinical and special needs by maintaining referrals to specialized (“second tier”) services rendered by physicians, physician extenders and counselors within Aegis, as well as referrals to Keys to Recovery (or other twelve-step) support groups, and other community resources (e.g., agencies and practitioners outside of Aegis), acting as a liaison to these agencies, as necessary.
• Schedule regular counseling sessions with patients; issue patient appointment cards and record scheduled or rescheduled sessions in EHR scheduler.
• Document counseling entries, including signature and date, as required by applicable federal and state regulations, CARF guidelines and Pinnacle policies.
• Engage in Community Relations and Outreach efforts.
• Attend all recommended training including Physician Training of Counselors, RCL training, and case conferences with the program physicians and physician assistants.
• Collect research data when requested.
• Observe the collection of patients’ urine samples when required.

Qualifications

• Counselor I: $20/hour to $22/hour - Possess an associate degree in relevant field and has the registration/credentials necessary to provide counseling services to our patient population.
• Kern County requires a bachelor’s degree or High school diploma/GED with 75% certification education.
• Preferred: Possess a bachelor's degree or higher.
• Counselor II: $22/hour to $25/hour - Possess an associate degree in a relevant field or a majority of approved counselor certification courses, license, or certification necessary to provide counseling services to our patient population. Kern County requires a bachelor's degree or 75% of required counselor certification courses.
• Preferred: Possess counselor registration/certification by a “Certifying Organization: recognized by the Department of Alcohol and Drug Programs.
• Proof of registration is required immediately once employed with a California Alcohol and Drug Program certifying body. Employees must be registered prior to providing any counseling services per the DHCS (Department of Health Care Services).
• 2-5 years of experience OR Master level Counselor III: $25/hour to $28/hour (Certified) & $28/hour - $31/hour (Licensed) - Degrees must include being licensed, licensed eligible, or certified. Clinical skills must be effective in complex cases. Along with the below:
• Preferred: Possess certification as an Alcohol and Other Drug Counselor with a CA approved certification agency or current credentials as licensed or license-eligible with the Board of Behavioral Sciences or the Board of Psychology.
• Proof of licensure or certification by a State approved regulatory agency is required immediately once employed. Employees must be credentialed prior to providing any counseling services per the DHCS (Department of Health Care Services).

Benefits

STAR LRP Eligibility: 90% of our facilities are eligible for the Student Loan Repayment Program. This federal program selects applicants to forgive 100% of their student loans.

Continuing Education: Free access to over 600 CEU courses to enhance your skills and knowledge.

Paid Time Off: 18 days of PTO, sick leave, and 8 paid holidays to maintain a healthy work-life balance.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Initiatives: Be part of a workforce that reflects the diversity of our patient population.

Free Clinical Supervision: Available based on licensure and availability to support your professional growth.