Credentialed Alcohol & Substance Abuse Counselor (CASAC)

Responsibilities

• Conduct comprehensive intake evaluations with individuals seeking treatment for substance use disorders.
• Assess substance use history, including type, frequency, and patterns of use, along with the psychological, medical, social, legal, vocational, and educational impacts.
• Review prior treatment history and evaluate motivation for change, psychological dependence, personal resources, and relevant family history.
• Prepare written and verbal clinical reports for multidisciplinary intake review and diagnostic conferences while maintaining required productivity and documentation standards.
• Communicate with patients and collaborate with healthcare providers, social service agencies, employers, and criminal justice partners, ensuring compliance with confidentiality laws and patient rights.
• Provide information to the treatment team to support diagnostic assessment and care planning.
• Provide individual counseling within a structured treatment plan for individuals with substance use disorders.
• Use strong listening, empathy, supportive confrontation, and motivational skills to support patient engagement, treatment participation, and long-term recovery.
• Communicate treatment team decisions and collaborate with interdisciplinary team members as patient needs evolve.
• Maintain accurate clinical documentation, including treatment plans, progress notes, updates, discharge summaries, and interagency communications.
• Apply knowledge of the psychological, behavioral, social, and physical effects of substance use, including alcohol, opiates, stimulants, sedatives, and hallucinogens.
• Understand treatment approaches such as detoxification, medication-assisted treatment, drug-free programs, and the use and limitations of drug screening tools.
• Utilize community resources including detox programs, rehabilitation services, residential treatment, vocational support, and self-help programs.
• Support group counseling processes, participate in continuing education and in-service training, and engage in regular clinical supervision.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in a discipline related to human services and 1 year of related experience required.
• Or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience in drug/alcohol dependence treatment preferred.

Qualifications

• Ability to work as a directly supervised co-therapist in group therapy for alcohol/drug dependent persons and has a working knowledge of the concepts underlying group therapy including role of feelings, defenses required.
• Knowledge of legal rights and societal attitudes toward the alcoholic/addicted person in and out of treatment required.

Skills

• CASAC Certification upon hire preferred.

Benefits

The University of Rochester offers a comprehensive benefits package which includes:

• Health insurance
• Retirement savings plan
• Vacation and sick leave
• Flexible spending accounts
• Life and disability insurance
• Employee assistance program

Pay

$22.45 - $30.31 per hour

Schedule

UR - Day (United States of America)