Dual Diagnosis Counselor

About the role

The Dual Diagnosis Counselor delivers services to adult patients in the Fora Health program, working under the direction of the assigned program manager and collaborating with a multidisciplinary team. The role requires skills to complete mental health and ASAM assessments, collaborative treatment plans, individual therapy, and group therapy, and to support patients’ referral to and transition between levels of care in recovery from substance use and mental health disorders, consistent with the mission and philosophy of Fora Health. Program-specific duties are performed within the scope of this classification and assigned program.

Schedule

Monday through Friday, 8:30 am–5:00 pm, with some evenings required.

Responsibilities

• Clinical Evaluation, Treatment Planning, and Documentation: Inform patients of confidentiality rights, program procedures, and regulatory exceptions; protect patient privacy and confidentiality in communications.
• Gather data systematically from the patient and collateral sources; obtain and interpret assessment information using ASAM and DSM‑5 to justify medical necessity, level of care, and co‑occurring disorder treatment needs.
• Determine the patient’s appropriate ASAM level of care and stage of change; utilize DSM‑5 to assess and diagnose substance use and mental health disorders at enrollment.
• Formulate mutually agreed‑upon, measurable treatment outcome statements and identify appropriate strategies for each outcome.
• Assess treatment and recovery progress; consult with the patient, integrated care team, and external parties to adjust the treatment plan at regular intervals or when circumstances change.
• Document all patient encounters in the electronic medical record, including progress notes, mental health and ASAM assessments and updates, screenings, transfer summaries, and case management contacts.
• Apply placement, continued stay, and completion/transition criteria based on medical necessity and patient preferences.
• Collaborate with all service areas for appropriate referrals and communication; coordinate with referral agencies regarding screenings, client status, treatment, and discharge planning.
• Complete clinical documentation (individual/group progress notes, referent contacts, treatment plan reviews, discharge plans, discharge summaries) within 24 hours of service.
• Contact referents within 24 hours of admission, at least monthly during treatment, and before/during discharge; document as case management progress notes.
• Complete ASAM and mental health treatment plan reviews and authorization summaries within 30 days of admission and on a regular cadence per payer/program standards (every 7, 30, or 90 days maximum).
• Submit treatment plans timely to obtain continuing authorization; develop a Discharge/Continuity of Care Plan 30 days prior to planned discharge and a continuing care plan in the final session.
• Complete Discharge Summary and close the patient chart within 5 days of discharge; notify insurance within 24 hours of discharge when required.
• Counseling and Education: Establish a helping relationship characterized by professionalism, warmth, respect, genuineness, concreteness, and empathy; facilitate patient engagement in treatment and recovery.
• Act as an active member of an integrated care team, coordinating with peer mentors, psychiatric providers, medical providers, and other team members.
• Provide evidence‑based models in individual and group counseling to achieve treatment goals; meet individually with patients at the frequency determined by the treatment plan or program assignment.
• Demonstrate cultural humility and awareness of individualized needs related to cultural identity, values, ethnic background, age, and gender.
• Describe health and behavior problems related to substance use, including transmission and prevention of HIV/AIDS, TB, STDs, and other infectious diseases.
• Teach life skills such as stress management, relaxation, communication, and refusal skills.
• Provide therapeutic interventions for treatment‑interfering behaviors; complete continuing education and maintain required credentials.
• Referral: Arrange or assist patients with referrals to other professionals, agencies, community programs, or resources, including longer‑term external mental health treatment as part of discharge planning.
• Explain the necessity and process of referral in clear language; obtain written consent meeting 42 CFR Part 2 and HIPAA requirements before disclosing information to outside parties, except where a regulatory exception applies.
• Exchange relevant information with referral agencies; facilitate transition to continuing care resources prior to discharge; document all referral/case management services.
• Develop collaborative relationships with mental health practitioners, prescribers, probation officers, ADSS/ADES, EAP, DHS, insurance authorization representatives, and other engaged agencies.
• Professional and Ethical Responsibilities: Adhere to established professional codes of ethics, federal and state laws, and agency policies regarding substance use disorder treatment.
• Recognize individual differences influencing patient behavior and apply this understanding to