Licensed Addiction Counselor / in Brighton

CorrHealth; Boulder (CO); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

CorrHealth is seeking a Licensed Addiction Counselor to deliver substance use disorder services to inmates in a Colorado correctional facility, including assessments, diagnoses, and clinical interventions.

The role requires a Master’s degree in a related field and an active LAC credential with DORA, plus experience with MAT and inmate populations. Strong documentation and collaboration with staff are essential.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in a related field and active LAC credential in good standing with Colorado DORA.
• Minimum two years’ experience with alcohol and/or drug addiction or substance abuse counseling.
• Experience providing addiction treatment to incarcerated populations in inpatient/outpatient settings.

Responsibilities

• Completes intake assessments.
• Provides direct behavioral health care to inmates.
• Monitors treatment and ensures documentation compliance.
• Assists in treatment planning and crisis intervention.
• Provides guidance to staff and ensures continuity of care.
• Documents electronically to maintain comprehensive inmate behavioral health records.

Skills

Behavioral therapy

Cognitive behavioral therapy

Motivational interviewing

Clinical assessment

Communication

Education

Master's degree in Clinical Psychology / Counseling / Social Work or related field

Job description

Schedule: Thurs - Sat/Wed-Fri rotation, 7a-7p

Position Overview

The Licensed Addiction Counselor position provides substance use disorder services to the inmate population, to include formal and informal behavioral health evaluations, diagnostic assessments, and clinical interventions.

Essential Duties

• Completes intake assessments
• Serves as consultant for unit staff regarding assessment, diagnosis, and treatment planning
• Supports inmates on medication assisted treatment (MAT)
• Monitors inmate treatment and documentation to assure compliance with standards and to assure continuity of care
• Establishes a clinical program that includes weekly individual sessions and groups
• Provides clinical direction to non-clinical staff in behavioral healthcare and treatment of inmates
• Assures continuity of care for inmates by making appropriate referrals and providing necessary information and documentation for receiving facilities, or agencies
• Provides crisis intervention
• Documents electronically in an accurate and timely manner to provide comprehensive inmate behavioral health records
• Provides direct behavioral health care to inmates
• Communicates directly with inmates regarding their behavioral health care such as consequences of maladaptive behavior and desired and undesirable effects of prescribed behavioral health medication
• Listens to inmate concerns and provides counseling and direction
• Communicates to advise, counsel, inform and/or guide staff within the clinical unit, the facility, clinical and administrative supervisors and outside agencies to ensure continuity
• Responsible for maintaining standards of the program or work unit through compliance with all applicable professional, departmental, organizational and unit standards
• Attends and participates in monthly staff meetings and in-service training as scheduled
• Assume additional duties as assigned

Minimum Education/Experience Requirements

• Master's level education: MA Clinical Psych, MA Counseling, MA Social Work, or related field
• Active Licensed Addiction Counselor (LAC) credential; in good standing with the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA)
• Proficient in behavioral therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, etc.
• Experience in patient assessment and care
• Minimum of two (2) years of experience working with alcohol and/or drug addicted individuals and/or in the field of substance abuse counseling
• Experience providing addiction treatment to a diverse incarcerated population and highly resistive clients, in an inpatient and outpatient setting, preferred

Additional Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Competencies

• Clear and effective verbal and written communication with all coworkers, supervisors, jail administration, and patients
• Excellent verbal and written comprehension
• Excellent deductive reasoning and problem-solving abilities
• Excellent organizational skills; independent worker and self-starter
• Ability to use a computer and use/learn a variety of software, including site‑specific computer programs
• Must demonstrate ability to appropriately and safely use standard medical equipment
• Ability to respect the dignity and confidentiality of inmates
• Demonstrated proficiency in excellent customer service

Employment Requirements

• Must maintain all certifications, educational requirements, licensing, etc. for this position
• Must have current CPR/BLS certification
• Must have current TB test (taken within one year)
• Must adhere to all facility policies and procedures as well as the policies and procedures listed in the Employee Handbook
• Willing to assist coworkers in the job duties and work overtime if required; may act as a resource to other coworkers
• Maintains confidentiality, dignity, and security of health records and protected health information in compliance with HIPAA requirements

Security Requirements

• Must undergo security training and orientation on facility safety policies and procedures

Physical/Mental Requirements

• Ability to both remain stationary and move/traverse throughout the facility, including up and down flights of stairs
• Ability to position oneself in different spaces
• Ability to convey and discern information in a conversation, frequently communicate with patients; must be able to exchange accurate information.
• Ability to identify and detect objects and assess situations from a variety of distances
• Ability to stay calm in stressful and demanding situations
• Frequently transports objects up to 50 pounds

Work Environment

Work is performed inside a correctional facility. Employees are exposed to some level of risk and/or harm by inmates including exposure to blood borne pathogens. Employee is expected to work in accordance with all security rules and regulations to minimize the risk of danger and/or harm to themselves or other employees.

Additional Compliance

Employee must comply with all current and future State, Federal, and Local laws and regulations, court orders, Administrative Directives and standards and policies and procedures of the site where assigned, including those of professional organizations such as ACA, NCCHC, etc. Employee must treat every other member of the CorrHealth team, all correctional personnel, all inmates and third parties in the facility with the proper dignity and respect. Actions or communications that are inappropriate or degrading will not be tolerated.

Must be able to pass a background check and pre-employment drug test (as applicable).