Licensed Addictions Counselor

At Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch, we count on our Licensed Addictions Counselor to support a trauma-informed environment while providing necessary substance abuse services for youth with a history of substance use. They serve as positive role models and mentors to the youth they serve. A LAC will have a heart and passion for working with youth who frequently come from hard places and have experienced complex trauma. The applicant must be mission and values-driven and possess a strong work ethic, reliability, and desire to be a positive role model in our youth and families' lives.

Responsibilities

• Conduct confidential, quality Chemical Dependency Assessments to determine substance use disorder according to criteria of the Diagnostic Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) and the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) criteria.
• Schedule and conduct Group, Individual, and Family Chemical Dependency Therapy Sessions for youth in Chemical Dependency Programming.
• Maintain case records utilizing YBGR Electronic Medical Records system that reflect the initiation and course of treatment. Documentation will be completed promptly according to YBGR Policy 662.
• Provide follow-up and aftercare planning services as needed.
• Participate in interdisciplinary treatment planning meetings to assure the treatment needs of the youth are met.
• Provide prevention services, as applicable, and as directed by the supervisory team.
• Contribute to the strategic goals and outcomes of the agency as measured by the development and achievement of individual, departmental, and organizational goals and outcomes.
• Participate in Performance Quality Improvement (PQI) goals of the organization, both individually and as a team member.
• Deal constructively and helpfully with all other members of the organization. Fully support and model the mission and values of YBGR.
• Adhere to all policies, systems, safety requirements, and procedures of the organization.
• Take the initiative to identify problems and seek out solutions.
• Be a professional representative of the organization to those outside it.
• Participate and engage in monthly supervision/coaching meetings with the supervisor.
• Be aware of the cultural and socioeconomic characteristics of the persons served.
• Participate in required training as appropriate to the position and beneficial to YBGR.
• Other duties as assigned, including participation in the CBS on-call rotation.

Requirements

• 21 years old or older.
• Must pass criminal record and child abuse registry background check as required by the State of Montana.
• A minimum of an Associate of Arts degree or a certificate from an accredited institution in one of the following areas: alcohol and drug studies; addiction; or substance abuse with a minimum of 330 contact hours in addiction courses.
• Montana LAC (Licensed Addictions Counselor) license.
• Current license to operate passenger vehicle with clean driving record with no major violations (DUI, reckless driving, etc.) within the last three years.
• Willingness and ability to obtain certification in First Aid/CPR and Violence Intervention Prevention.

Skills

• Clinical Assessment: Ability to conduct thorough assessments of clients' substance use history, mental health status, and related psychosocial factors to develop personalized treatment plans.
• Counseling and Therapy: Proficiency in delivering evidence-based counseling and therapy interventions such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), motivational interviewing (MI), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and relapse prevention techniques.
• Addiction Education: Knowledge of addiction science, including the physiological, psychological, and social aspects of addiction, as well as the effects of various substances on the body and mind.
• Cultural Competence: Understanding of cultural diversity and sensitivity to the unique needs and backgrounds of clients, including race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, and socioeconomic status.
• Trauma-Informed Care: Ability to recognize and address the impact of trauma on addiction and mental health, providing trauma-informed counseling and support to clients who have experienced trauma.
• Demonstrate being self-motivated, self-disciplined, and diligent with forward thinking.
• Demonstrate the ability to think of their team over self and define success collectively rather than individually.
• Ability to effectively interact and communicate with others. These skills are essential for building and maintaining relationships, collaborating with colleagues, resolving conflicts, and navigating various social situations.
• Demonstrate the following values:
  • Faith: is being sure of successfully achieving our mission, based upon our trust in a loving creator.
  • Integrity: doing what is right, putting the needs of others above your own, and living by the highest values.
  • Relationship: being committed to one another in a mutually respectful, dignified, healthy, and honoring manner.
  • Stewardship: is the use of any resource or talent entrusted to YBGR to fulfill the mission and values.

Physical/Environmental Demands

• Work environment: This position will work indoors in a climate-controlled environment but occasionally will work in an outdoor environment where they may not be protected from weather conditions.
• Will occasionally be required to remain in a stationary position for an extended period while performing administrative duties.
• Will frequently operate computer, keyboard, and other office equipment.
• Consistently needs to move about inside building, outside to include uneven terrain, changes in elevation, and frequently change body position from and to standing, kneeling, sitting, and prone.
• Occasionally will be required to assist in the physical restraint of a youth (50-300lbs) who is a safety risk to themselves or others.
• The person in this position will constantly communicate with clients, their treatment team, and others. Must be able to communicate accurate information and accurately understand information communicated by those individuals.
• Must be able to perceive, recognize, and observe client’s behavior to include non-verbal cues expressed by the client.
• Will frequently be required to drive company or personal vehicle to other YBGR locations to meet with employees and other stakeholders.

Pay

Starting Salary Range: $24.50 - $27.57 per hour. Salary reflects steps 1-5 of an 11-step pay schedule. The starting salary will be determined based on the applicant’s education and relevant experience.