Substance Abuse Counselor - Rio Arriba County

About the Role

The Substance Abuse Counselor will provide counsel and support to patients suffering from drug or alcohol dependency, educate families in the best ways to help in the recovery process, and work with both inpatient clients and those participating in outpatient programs.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with multidisciplinary team members in the development/review of individualized behavioral/mental health treatment plans and in the monitoring and treatment of patients as indicated on the treatment plans.
• Update and maintain accurate and legible patient information and records in accordance with policy.
• Meet with clients to obtain personal information and medical histories and consult with other professionals to get a clear picture of the patient's status and extent of problems.
• Design a program of treatment and rehabilitation tailored to the patient's individual situation based on knowledge of alcohol and drug dependency and counseling and treatment methods.
• Use a combination of individual and group counseling sessions to help clients and observe their attitudes and readiness to accept help and guidance.
• Inform, coordinate, and advise all applicable parties regarding patient discharge or transfer.
• Act as a liaison with community agencies and contacts providing services to patients.
• Identify and maintain professional boundaries to preserve the integrity of the therapeutic process and relationship.
• Acquire and maintain current clinical knowledge and skills and professional standards.
• Educate patients about community-based organizations such as Alcoholics Anonymous and social and employment services that may help restore them to productive roles in the community.
• Maintain case histories and progress reports.
• Modify treatment programs based on observation.
• Assist patients with coping with family problems and recommend appropriate social services as support for the entire family unit.
• Participate in performance improvement activities, including the Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) program (peer review; record reviews; membership on the CQI committee as requested) and modify clinical practices based on CQI recommendations.
• Ensure compliance with all agency and company policies, federal and state laws, regulations, and guidelines including HIPAA.

Core Competencies

• Problem Solving: Acts collaboratively in resolving problems. Presents solutions rather than just identifying problems. Acknowledges when one does not know something and takes personal responsibility for finding a solution.
• Team Building: Works well with others and helps build a cohesive working environment. Helps others learn and shares knowledge. Respects diversity of the workplace and individuals' unique characteristics.
• Communication: Appropriately expresses opinions in written and verbal form. Clear and articulate when speaking with an individual or group and uses audience-appropriate language. Listens to others.
• Documentation: Ensures that medical record entries and other documentation are accurate, thorough, and timely. Written documentation is completed on required forms or using required formats without omissions.
• Effective Time Management: Organizes and prioritizes work by devoting adequate time and attention to individual tasks. Plans meetings effectively, keeps appointments, and multitasks.
• Attentive to Detail: Provides accurate and consistent work on a timely basis. Documents important details to ensure miscommunications are minimized.
• Accountability: Follows through on commitments and agreements. Demonstrates dependability. Takes responsibility for mistakes and missed deadlines. Communicates about progress on commitments.
• Stress Tolerance: Effectively handles stressful or adverse situations and works effectively under difficult conditions. Remains calm while handling volatile, threatening, or emergency situations. Stays focused despite distractions and interruptions.
• Safety Consciousness: Maintains awareness of and acts to minimize safety risks in one's environment.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree with concentration in psychology, sociology, or public health.
• Specific training in alcohol and drug abuse counseling.
• At least two years of experience working with drug or alcohol abusers under close supervision.
• BLS/First Aid & CPR certified.
• Empathetic manner to deal with clients who may have multiple problems.

Physical Requirements

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times.
• Must possess general good health and retain sufficient stamina, agility, and visual and auditory acuity necessary to perform all duties required.
• Physical activity includes walking, climbing, standing, sitting, bending, stooping, and carrying; repetitive physical activity; repetitive mental activity, such as checking entries in a report, etc.
• Must be able to react quickly and appropriately in an emergency situation.
• May be required to work throughout a large facility, grouping of facilities, or travel between multiple facilities.
• Potential exposure to internal and external hazardous materials, including but not limited to: blood and bloodborne pathogens, infectious/communicable diseases, and physical injury from patients.
• Must be able to identify and minimize safety risks within the environment whenever possible.