Substance Use Counselor

Location

Valdosta State Prison, 3259 Val Tech Rd, Valdosta, GA 31603

Work Schedule

Monday through Thursday, 6:45 AM - 5:15 PM (10-hour shifts)

Responsibilities

• Conducts client interviews and assessments to review substance use disorder and treatment history
• Evaluates client response to treatment to recommend modifications to the treatment plan and assist with caseloads and development of individualized treatment plan and preparing individually appropriate goals, interventions, and necessary support
• Assists with and provides didactic group counseling, including psychoeducation, drug education, and family education to ensure peer support occurs
• Provides individual client counseling, educational programs and lectures to address relapse prevention, problem solving, behavior modification, anger management, etc., and to assist in overcoming substance use disorder, adjusting to pro-social life, and making cognitive and behavioral changes
• Carries case load up to 25 clients, per State and contract requirements
• Collaborates with clients to develop discharge summary and continuing care and relapse prevention plans for supervisor's approval to integrate aftercare treatment with referral resource services
• Coordinates required services to resolve emergency problems in crisis situations in support of continued recovery
• Collects and maintains treatment records and reports to ensure organizational, regulatory, accreditation, and contractual compliance
• Performs office administrative duties, such as answering telephones; relaying messages; responding to inquiries regarding program services and policies; filing, photocopying and faxing documents; planning special events, assembling intake packets, etc.

Requirements

• Minimum of a Bachelor's Degree in a helping profession from an accredited college or university
• Must obtain certification as identified by state within 24 months of the first date that the counseling services are provided. Acceptable Certifications include: Certified Addiction Counselor from the Georgia Addiction Counselor's Association (GACA), Certified Addiction Counselor from the National Association of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors (NAADAC), Certified Drug and Alcohol Counselor from the International Certification and Reciprocity Consortium (ICRC), and Certification as a Certified Clinical Supervisor (CCS)
• Acceptable Licensures include: Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Licensed Associate Professional Counselor (LAPC), Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), and Certified Professional Counselor Supervisor (CPCS)
• Must be able to obtain Georgia Department of Corrections clearance to work in the correctional institution

Qualifications

• Some previous counseling experience, experience in substance use disorder or mental health treatment is preferred

Physical Requirements

• Works in a correctional facility
• Ability to walk and move about the facilities for up to two hours at a time, to monitor and interact with clients
• Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects
• Ability to use a keyboard and video display terminal to receive, retrieve, and/or audit information and data
• Ability to record, proofread and check documents and files for accuracy
• Ability to respond to telephones, and to hear and detect alarms and unusual noises

Pay

• Non-Credentialed Counselors range is between $19.00 - $20.00 per hour
• Certified Counselors range is between $23.00 - $25.00 per hour
• Starting rates are determined based on years of experience, qualifications, and relevant skills
• Alpharus Health conducts annual performance reviews, with merit increase eligibility determined by employee performance and organizational financial performance

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees and dependents
• Employee wellness program promoting health and fitness and offering cash-saving premiums
• Employee assistance programs focused on mental health
• 403(b) Retirement Plan with 3% employer match
• Short-term and Long-term Disability and Life and AD&D Insurance paid for by Alpharus
• Flexible Spending Accounts for medical and dependent care
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)
• 18 paid time off days per year – accrual rates increase with years of service
• 9 paid company holidays
• Work-life-balance
• Training & Development Programs
• Tuition Reimbursement - up to $5,250 per calendar year
• eLearning access to online courses that provide CEU's and job-related training
• Clinical Supervision: Formal and informal guidance

This response is AI-generated, for reference only.