Certified Addiction Counselor (40 Hour) (Office/On-site)

State of Connecticut - Department of Correction; Norwich (CT); Vor Ort; USD 60.000 - 75.000; Vollzeit

Benefits dieser Stelle

Comprehensive state employee benefits

Professional growth and development

Healthy work/life balance

Zusammenfassung

The Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) seeks a Certified Addiction Counselor for the Assertive Community Treatment Team in Norwich. The role focuses on counseling, screening, and coordinating care for individuals with substance use disorders.

DUTIES include individual and group counseling, case management, crisis intervention, and referrals to medical or psychological services. Submit to state employee standards and support community health goals.

Qualifikationen

• Certification from the Connecticut Department of Public Health as Alcohol and Drug Counselor.
• Three years of experience in risk reduction education and counseling for alcohol/drug dependent individuals.
• Substitution options include licensure as A&D Counselor or 3 years as CAC Trainee.

Aufgaben

• Provide counseling to individuals with alcohol and drug dependence.
• Screen clients for program eligibility and assess needs and goals.
• Conduct individual and group counseling and participate in treatment planning.
• Deliver case management and crisis intervention services.
• Educate clients on substance use issues and coordinate referrals for care.
• Maintain confidential reports and participate in community engagements.

Kenntnisse

Counseling expertise

Risk reduction education

Crisis intervention

Interpersonal skills

Substance use knowledge

Ausbildung

Alcohol and Drug Counselor certification (CT DPH)

Jobbeschreibung

Introduction

A role for Certified Addiction Counselors who are committed to providing structured, recovery‑focused support in the community. The Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) has an opening for a Certified Addiction Counselor (PCN 26130) in the Assertive Community Treatment Team (ACT) at Southwestern Mental Health Authority (SMHA) in Norwich.

Schedule

• First shift: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
• Full‑time, 40 hours per week

What We Can Offer You

• Comprehensive state employee benefits
• Access the State Employee Benefits Overview page to explore available options
• Professional growth and development opportunities
• A commitment to promoting a healthy work/life balance

Position Highlights

• Provides counseling services to individuals with alcohol and drug dependence
• Screens clients for program eligibility and assesses strengths, needs and treatment goals
• Orients clients to the treatment program and participates in individual and group counseling
• Delivers case management and crisis intervention services to support safety and stabilization
• Educates clients on substance use issues and coordinates referrals for medical or psychological care
• Other duties as assigned

A comprehensive medical examination, including drug screening, is required following a conditional offer of employment. All state employees must comply with Connecticut’s Drug‑Free Workplace Policy.

About Us

DMHAS is dedicated to promoting the health and wellness of individuals with behavioral health needs through an integrated, holistic network of services that foster dignity, respect, and self‑sufficiency.

SMHA provides high‑quality behavioral health services to those in our community with mental health and substance use disorders who are 18 years or older and reside in New London County and its surrounding towns.

ACT Teams deliver highly responsive, individualized, recovery‑based and rehabilitative services in the client’s natural environment.

Purpose of Job Class (NATURE OF WORK)

In the Departments of Mental Health and Addiction Services and Veterans' Affairs this class is accountable for providing specialized counseling services to clients in a behavioral health treatment program.

Examples of Duties

• Provides counseling services to alcohol and drug dependent clients;
• Screens clients to determine eligibility for programs;
• Assesses strengths, weaknesses and treatment needs;
• Orients clients to treatment program;
• Participates in treatment planning and individual and/or group counseling;
• Responsible for case management activities;
• Provides crisis intervention services in response to emotional and/or physical distress;
• Makes referrals to outside or other programs for medical and/or psychological intervention;
• Maintains confidential reports and records of client data;
• Represents program at community events and seminars;
• Educates clients on substance abuse issues and availability of resources;
• Consults with service providers to assure comprehensive integrated care;
• May escort clients;
• May provide coverage duties;
• May collect urine for drug screening;
• Performs related duties as required.

Knowledge, Skill and Ability

• Knowledge of physical, psychological, social, family and economic effects of substance abuse;
• Knowledge of counseling principles and techniques;
• Knowledge of community resources;
• Knowledge of confidentiality provisions;
• Knowledge of infectious diseases;

• Considerable interpersonal skills;
• Considerable oral and written communication skills;

Ability to gather, analyze and evaluate information pertinent to treatment, diagnosis and rehabilitation of an individual.

Minimum Qualifications – General Experience

Certification from the Connecticut Department of Public Health as an Alcohol and Drug Counselor and three (3) years of experience involving risk reduction education and counseling to assist alcohol and drug dependent individuals.

Minimum Qualifications – Substitutions Allowed

• Licensure from the Connecticut Department of Public Health as an Alcohol and Drug Counselor may be substituted for the General Experience.
• For state employees three (3) years of experience as a Certified Addiction Counselor Trainee may be substituted for the General Experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience providing substance abuse assessments, interventions, and treatment for individual with substance use disorders
• Experience connecting client to various levels of substance abuse treatment, such as inpatient detoxification, rehabilitation, methadone maintenance, etc.
• Experience facilitating substance abuse groups and individual substance abuse counseling
• Experience working with clients in accessing community resources/entitlements and in securing and maintaining housing
• Experience working with clients who are pre‑contemplative and contemplative in their recovery

Special Requirements

• Incumbents in this class must retain the certification and/or licensure outlined above.
• Individuals recovering from addiction to alcohol or drugs are required to have two (2) years of substance free time to be considered for a position in a substance abuse program.
• Incumbents in this class may be required to speak a foreign language or be fluent in American Sign Language.
• Incumbents in this class may be required to possess and retain a valid driver's license.
• Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.

Physical Requirements

A medical and/or psychiatric examination may be required prior to appointment.

Working Conditions

Incumbents in this class may be required to perform moderate amounts of lifting or restraining of patients and exposed to communicable and/or infectious diseases and risk of injury from assaultive and/or abusive patients.

This employer may participate in E‑Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I‑9 information to confirm work authorization.

Conclusion

AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities.

Acknowledgement

As defined by Sec. 5-196 of the Connecticut General Statutes, a job class is a position or group of positions that share general characteristics and are categorized under a single title for administrative purposes. As such, a job class is not meant to be all-inclusive of every task and/or responsibility.