Substance Abuse Counselor - TRF

Job Number: 90

Location: Midland

Supervises: N

FLSA: Exempt if LCDC

Division: SUD

Salary: $20.65 if BA or LCDC intern; $45,261 if LCDC

Shift: M-Th 9am - 7pm; Assigned work hours may change as the needs of the agency and clients change

Driving required: Y

Travel required: Y

Settings: office, field

POSITION SUMMARY/JOB PURPOSE:

The Substance Abuse Counselor provides counseling services to adult women who are seeking outpatient treatment for substance use disorder. This position provides screenings to determine eligibility or referral and comprehensive assessments based on the DSM-5 criteria and State standards. The Counselor provides individualized trauma-informed and gender-specific treatment services that facilitate recovery from substance use disorders to a specialized population of women with children, including group counseling, individual counseling, and education.

This position works independently, under limited supervision, reporting major activities through periodic meetings.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, OTHER QUALIFICATIONS:

Education Required: High School Diploma or GED. To qualify as a QMHP: a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a major in psychology, social work, medicine, nursing, rehabilitation, counseling, sociology, human growth and development, physician assistance, gerontology, special education, educational psychology, early childhood education or early childhood intervention or a bachelor's degree with at least 30 hours of coursework in the previous fields.

Experience Required: At least 1 year experience working in the field of substance use disorder treatment.

Registration, Certification, Licensure or other Qualifications Required:

• Must maintain a valid Texas Driver's license, auto liability insurance and a driving record acceptable to PermiaCare's insurance requirements.
• Required to pass criminal history and background checks as well as pre-employment drug screen.
• Must possess current and valid LCDC or LCDC intern license or obtain one within 6 months (if qualify as QMHP).

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provide screenings in accordance with the DSM-5 criteria, State rules, and the TDI criteria to determine eligibility or referral.
• Provide individualized trauma-informed and gender-specific treatment services that facilitate recovery from substance use disorders to a specialized population of women with children.
• Ensure financial resources are determined during the screening process and that documentation supporting the client's financial status has been put in the client file.
• Ensure that documentation of the client's proof of residency is included in the client file.
• Provide comprehensive assessment based on DSM-5 criteria and State standards and determine appropriate level of service for each client admitted for services.
• Achieve and maintain program productivity of billing and average of 30 hours per week.
• Provided individualized treatment planning based on a comprehensive assessment.
• Ensure clients receive contractually required education on HIV/STD/TB/HCV, Hepatitis B and C, Opioid Overdose, Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, and Nicotine.
• Ensure that pregnant clients have access to prenatal care and reproductive health and parenting education and services.
• Observe clients during sessions and document behavior, attitude and progress.
• Maintain current knowledge in clinical aspects of adult treatment service protocols.
• Provide tobacco screening and appropriate tobacco cessation services for all clients.
• Monitor and document patient progress.
• Educate patients and families on effects of substance abuse.
• Act in accordance with ethical and professional standards.
• Facilitate educational and recreational activities.
• Maintain detailed records of patient care plans and progress.
• Provide coping strategies and relapse prevention plans.
• Monitor patient progress and adjust treatment plans as needed.
• Advocate for patient rights and coordinate discharge plans.
• Provide crisis intervention services.
• Provide individual, group and family counseling.
• Meet unit performance measures or targets.
• Maintain assigned caseload of individuals with substance use disorder.
• Coordinate services to designated caseload.
• Enter accurate and appropriate documentation of services within timeframe required.
• Maintain confidentiality of sensitive records and treatment information, client files and protected health information in compliance with HIPAA, laws, rules and regulations, and established procedures.
• Maintain regular and reliable physical on-site attendance. Regular attendance, dependability, and promptness are required for the scheduled work day 100% of the time, to ensure consistency and completeness of program's processes.
• Comply with the Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation policy and reporting requirements.
• Adhere to the Code of Conduct and Standards of Behavior policy requirements.
• Establish and maintain effective work relationships with individuals served and their families, supervisors, co-workers and visitors by demonstrating cooperative, courteous and respectful behavior at all times.
• Communicate regularly with supervisor.
• Open and process mail/email in a timely manner.
• Answer phone, collect phone messages and respond to requests timely and accurately.
• Maintain safe and clean working environment by complying with procedures, rules and regulations.
• Perform all work functions and interactions using a trauma informed approach.
• Display professionalism when representing PermiaCare and the program in the community.
• Maintain compliance with legal requirements and company policies and procedures.
• Maintain valid and current driver's license, auto insurance, acceptable driving record and reliable transportation at all times. Driving may be required for this position.
• Complete all training as assigned prior to due date.
• Other duties as assigned.

MARGINAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES (these duties are not designated as essential for the purposes of ADA; they are still required duties):

• Fill in for other SUD staff as needed.
• Transport clients to local community based support groups as needed.
• Answer the telephone and make appointments.
• Assist with maintaining cleanliness of job site.
• Assist in evacuation drills.
• Provide training to Counselor Interns and practicum students.
• Provide educational presentations in the community.
• Provide translation, if applicable.
• Participate in team meeting or staffings.
• Participate in community activities and/or attends community meetings as needed.
• Participate in workgroups and committees as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND COMPETENCIES:

• Knowledge of substance use disorder.
• General knowledge of psychology and social work principles.
• Ability to recognize signs of intoxication and impairment.
• Knowledge of withdrawal techniques.
• Ability to screen and assess substance abusing individuals.
• Knowledge of substance abuse counseling.
• Ability to remain emotionally engaged and supportive.
• Knowledge of community resources.
• Understanding of evidence based therapies and interventions.
• Understanding of 12 step recovery process.
• Knowledge of applicable local, state, and federal regulations and rules.
• Ability to handle high stress situations in a professional manner.
• Knowledge of HIPAA and ability to protect confidentiality.
• Effective multi-tasking skills.
• Good organizational skills.
• Welcoming, positive behavior.
• Ability to express self clearly and effectively, orally and in writing.
• Effective time management skills.
• Exceptional customer service skills, including positive attitude.
• Cultural sensitivity.
• Dependable attendance and punctuality.
• Knowledge of trauma informed theories, principles and practices.
• Flexibility and adaptability to different work environments.
• Excellent computer skills, including Word, Excel, Outlook, and Electronic Health Records (EHR).
• Reading and comprehending.
• Reasoning and analyzing.
• Ability to coordinate with various inter-agency personnel.
• Ability to fulfill PMAB and CPR/First Aid requirements.
• Ability to work independently.
• Good interpersonal skills, including ability to build rapport with individuals including co-workers.
• Ability to display comfort in interacting with individuals of diverse cultural, ethnic and economic backgrounds and with social service, healthcare, educational and criminal justice organizations, as needed.
• Ability to acquire and utilize new skills as the job requires.
• Ability to work cooperatively and productively with supervisor, individuals, co-workers, and groups of persons at all levels of activity, contributing to a spirit of teamwork.
• Ability to maintain highly confidential information.
• Ability to remain calm in stressful situations.
• Ability to plan and schedule work and implement directives without constant supervision.
• Model professionalism by appropriate dress, language, ethics and work habits.
• Ability to drive personal and/or company vehicle. This position may require travel to agency program sites, community and residential sites, and/or locations outside the PermiaCare catchment area. This position may require transport of agency individuals and/or individuals served.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Abilities Required:

• Light Lifting, under 15 lbs
• Light Carrying, under 15 lbs
• Walking
• Standing
• Sitting
• Operating office equipment
• Operating motor vehicle
• Ability to see
• Hearing (with aid)
• Ability to write
• Ability to count
• Ability to read
• Ability to tell time

Other (specify): driving required. May require some travel after hours and overnight.

WORKSITE CONDITIONS:

• Travel
• Inside
• Working closely with others
• Working alone

ADA Statement: Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

EEO Statement: PermiaCare is committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, ethnicity, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by state or federal law.

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive list of duties, activities or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, activities and responsibilities may change or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice. This job description does not constitute an employment contract with PermiaCare. Employment is at-will.

Would you like to work for an agency that makes a difference in the lives of people in your community every day? Join our team of dedicated and passionate staff and use your talents and skills to help others. Work one on one and as part of a team with kids or adults with mental illness, developmental disabilities, HIV or substance abuse diagnoses, assist from behind the scenes in any one of our administrative departments, or provide necessary support for the direct care staff. Be an asset to your community while getting paid for it!

PermiaCare is a public agency that provides a comprehensive array of services to persons experiencing mental illness, intellectual and developmental disabilities, and substance use disorders. We deliver high quality services to eight counties in Texas, serving the community as effectively and efficiently as we can. PermiaCare provides four main services: Mental Health (MH) Services, Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) Services, Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Services, and Early Childhood Intervention (ECI) Services.

PermiaCare knows that quality healthcare is important to maintaining a healthy life and providing proper care for your family. Health insurance through BCBS is provided free of charge to each full-time employee at PermiaCare, with the ability to purchase coverage for your family. Dental, vision, Colonial and AFLAC offerings are also available through payroll deductions for any PermiaCare employee for themselves and their family. Retirement, Life Insurance, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Paid Time Off, Long Term Disability and Workers Compensation benefits are also covered by the agency. PermiaCare provides training and development through New Employee Orientation and ongoing training requirements. Educational assistance is also provided for qualified employees.

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