Counselor III

American Indian Changing Spirits; Long Beach (CA); On-site; USD 29,000 - 41,000; Full time

Job summary

American Indian Changing Spirits in Long Beach, CA is seeking a Counselor III to join the treatment team. You will support client well-being, maintain program integrity, and work swing shift on a full-time basis.

The role requires knowledge of dependency treatment, ability to document client progress, and adherence to ethical and professional standards, with bilingual abilities possibly required. A valid CA driver’s license may be needed for some assignments.

Qualifications

• Completion of a state-recognized chemical dependency counselor certification or a related license.
• Must have valid California driver’s license and liability insurance if driving personal vehicle on AICS business.
• Bilingual abilities may be required for specific positions.
• Certification/licensure must be maintained for employment.

Responsibilities

• Knowledge of drug and alcohol dependency, mental health, family systems and 12-Step/recovery resources in the community.
• Develop and maintain individualized records of client progress and participation in treatment.
• Ability to write clear statements summarizing client progress and treatment plans, including letters to referral agencies.
• Ability to confront behavioral changes, identify a crisis, and recognize when additional assistance is necessary.
• Recognize personal issues that impact job performance and interactions with clients.
• Demonstrate ethical and professional behavior.
• Demonstrate respect for cultural and lifestyle diversities of clients and staff.
• Prepare for and facilitate specialty groups.
• Knowledge of referrals and the 12-Step model (AA, CA, NA, Alanon).
• Communicate clearly with clients, staff, peers, supervisors and external resources.
• Understand computer operations; Windows and MS Word; adapt to Caminar.

Skills

Bilingual abilities

Record-keeping

Communication

Ethical conduct

Education

Chemical dependency counselor certification

Related license (MFT/LCSW/psychologist)

Tools

Caminar information system

MS Word

Windows

Job description

Job Details

Job Location: Long Beach, CA 90810

Position Type: Full Time

Salary Range: $21.00 - $30.00

Job Shift: Swing

Job Summary: The Counselor III fulfills assigned role as a part of the treatment team, maintaining the well being of clients and integrity of the program.

Major Tasks, Duties and Responsibilities

• Knowledge of drug and alcohol dependency, mental health, family systems and 12-Step/recovery resources in the community.


• Develop and maintain individualized records of client progress and participation in treatment including admission and discharge, individual, group, family, vocational (both individual and group) literacy training, and other occasions as appropriate.


• Ability to write clear (and concise) statements, summarizing client’s feelings, expressions, resistance and response to their treatment plan; goals and objectives. Includes letters to referral agencies, courts/probation.


• Ability to confront behavioral changes, identify a crisis, and recognize when additional assistance is necessary.


• Ability to recognize personal issues that have an impact on job performance and interactions with clients.


• Ability to demonstrate ethical and professional behavior.


• Ability to demonstrate respect for cultural and lifestyle diversities of clients and staff.


• Ability to prepare for, and facilitate specialty groups.


• Knowledge of referrals.


• Knowledge of the philosophy and approach of the 12-Step model of recovery (AA, CA, NA, Alanon).


• Ability to communicate clearly, with clients, staff, peers, supervisors and non-AICS resources.


• Thorough understanding of computer operations; Windows and word processing (MS Word). Ability to readily adapt to the Caminar information system.

Counselor III Competencies and Performance Expectations

All Counselor III’s are expected to meet the requirements of Counselor I and Counselor II, and in addition are expected to:

• Oversee daily program activities


• Identify a crisis


• Train, coach, and mentor staff


• Make clinical decisions


• Conduct and facilitate specialty groups

Qualifications

Following are the qualifications required to perform the essential functions of this position. Qualifications may be subject to modification based on the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Bilingual abilities may be required for specific positions.

Completion of a state-recognized chemical dependency counselor certification or a related license, such as MFT, LCSW, or licensed psychologist, is required prior to employment. Failure to maintain certification or licensure will result in loss of employment.

Must have valid California driver’s license and liability insurance if driving personal vehicle on AICS business.

Vision, hearing, manual dexterity and eye-hand coordination must be adequate for performance of job duties. Able to sit at desk, use keyboard, write and physically perform other job duties. Able to move about the facility to observe clients and staff.

Specific qualifications may vary based on assignment. The supervisor will initial those items on the following list, which apply and write N/A to indicate those qualifications, which are not applicable:

• Certification as domestic violence counselor required in lieu of chemical dependency counselor certification.


• Certification as domestic violence counselor required in addition to chemical dependency counselor certification.


• Class “B” California Driver’s License.


• Class “C” California Driver’s License


• Personal vehicle with liability insurance for reimbursable mileage, generally short distances.


• First Aid certification, obtain within 90 days of employment and maintain current thereafter.


• CPR certification, obtain within 90 days of employment and maintain current thereafter.


• Medication training required within 30 days of employment.


• Bi-lingual (specify: ___________________)


• Develop computer skills adequate to perform word processing and other computer duties within 90 days of employment.


• Computer skills able to perform word processing and other computer duties.

The above statements reflect the general duties considered necessary to describe the principal functions of the job as identified and shall not be considered as a detailed description of all the work requirements which may be inherent in the position.