Telehealth SUD Counselor

About the role

The SUD Counselor in a Substance Use Prevention Treatment (SUPT) Program is a role that combines clinical expertise, administrative proficiency, and a commitment to client-centered care. This role is integral in conducting ASAM assessments and managing daily billing in the Smart Care Electronic Health Record (EHR) platform. The ideal candidate will be a professional with a strong background in SUD treatment, proficient in ASAM criteria, and capable of navigating Smart Care EHR software. SUD Counselor reports to Program Manager.

Akua Behavioral Health is California’s leading mental health and substance abuse treatment center. We provide our clients with individualized, compassionate treatment and offer various levels of care from Master’s and Doctorate level clinicians at fully licensed and accredited facilities throughout Northern and Southern California. To give our clients the best chance at lasting recovery, we pioneered an integrative East-meets-West approach that combines Western evidence-based treatment with holistic Eastern traditions to treat the mind, body, and spirit. Our mission is to create an environment of healing and transformation for each client seeking change.

Responsibilities

• Conduct comprehensive ASAM assessments of the client's needs, strengths, and challenges, including mental health, substance use, and medical, social, and environmental factors.
• Using motivational interviewing and supportive counseling skills, develop personalized treatment plans that address clients' recovery goals.
• Play a key role in leading psychoeducational groups to teach recovery, relapse prevention, and independent living skills.
• Connect clients to appropriate resources and services, such as mental health treatment, substance abuse counseling, medical care, housing assistance, and vocational support.
• Keep regular contact with clients, offering support, encouragement, and crisis intervention as needed; assist the primary therapist in increasing motivation to engage in treatment.
• Work closely with the treatment team, including therapists, licensed vocational nurses, clinical technicians, and other professionals, to ensure coordinated and effective care; keep referral partners informed of the client’s progress and discharge plan.
• Adhere to program and regulatory requirements Drug Medi-cal guidelines by maintaining accurate and timely documentation of client progress, interactions, and services provided.
• Respond effectively to crises, de-escalating and coordinating with emergency services when necessary.
• Monitor cases by verifying clients’ attendance; observing and evaluating treatments and responses; advocating for needed services and entitlements; obtaining additional resources; intervening in crises; providing personal support.
• Maintain clients’ records by reviewing case notes; logging events and progress.
• Communicate clients’ progress by conducting weekly interdisciplinary meetings and evaluations; disseminating results and obstacles to therapeutic team and family; identifying treatment influences.
• Improve staff competence by providing educational resources; balancing work requirements with learning opportunities; evaluating the application of learning to changes in treatment results.

Requirements

• CADC / SUDCC Certification or higher (required)
• In the field of Substance abuse/ Behavioral Health 2 years or more (required)
• Current CPR/First Aid Certification (Required)
• Valid CA Driver's License
• Current Health Screen (Required)
• TB Clearance (Required)

Qualifications

• Strong interpersonal skills
• Excellent communication and listening skills
• Ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• Professional conduct always
• Strong Internet connection required
• Ability to keep patient information confidential

Benefits

• Health Insurance (Medical, Vision, Dental)
• PTO (Vacation, Sick)
• Equity Shares (ESOP)