Primary Counselor

Eva's Village; Paterson (NJ); On-site; USD 42,000 - 68,000; Full time

Job summary

Eva's Village in Paterson, NJ, seeks a Primary Counselor to join the integrated services team. The role provides comprehensive treatment services for individuals with substance use disorders, including assessment, counseling, case management, care coordination, and crisis intervention under clinical supervision.

Responsibilities include developing treatment plans, documenting progress in the EHR, coordinating with psychiatrists, and participating in multidisciplinary team meetings and QA

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in counseling or related field required.
• CADC certification required; LCADC preferred.
• Strong English communication and crisis intervention skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide comprehensive counseling services, including individual and group sessions.
• Complete assessments, care planning, and documentation in EHR.
• Coordinate with psychiatrists and other providers; crisis intervention as needed.
• Maintain and update treatment plans and progress notes.
• Participate in team meetings and quality assurance activities.

Skills

Crisis intervention

Group counseling

Assessment

Bio-psychosocial model

DSM-5-TR

NJSAMS

ASAM criteria

English language

Education

Bachelor's degree in counseling

Master's degree in counseling

CADC

LCADC or equivalent licensed

Job description

Job Summary

Under the primary supervision of the Clinical Supervisor, and/or Clinical Director of Integrated Services, the Primary Counselor functions as part of the treatment team and provides comprehensive treatment services including substance use disorder counseling services, client assessment, screenings, case management, care coordination, individual counseling services, group counseling, psychoeducation classes, treatment planning, continuum of care referrals, and crisis intervention, etc., to clients struggling with substance use disorder. The Primary Counselor also participates in peer review, quality assurance activities, and other relevant duties as assigned. The Primary Counselor performs all procedures accurately, completely, and efficiently for clients, following applicable program policies and procedures.

Job Duties

• Embodies Eva’s Village’s core values, voice, and tone to provide an exceptional and effective experience for our clients, funders, employees, and volunteers
• Knowing and enforcing agency policy and procedures.
• Familiarity with client rights
• Facilitates psycho-educational and/or process therapy group sessions throughout the Integrated Services Department(s) as outlined in the Eva’s Village Hazelden electronic evidence-based curriculum (as per identified NJ State licensure or certification).
• Completes Clinical Assessments, consultations, and psychotherapeutic counseling services under the supervision of a State Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Licensed Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor or other clinical supervisors deemed as appropriate by the Committee under or the supervision of a qualified supervisor
• Completes detailed bio-psychosocial assessments and/or evaluation of the client’s history of psychological and/or psychiatric treatment (i.e., which shall include, but not limited to, previous admissions to psychiatric facilities, history of suicidal/homicidal ideation and attempts, outpatient psychiatric treatment, psychotropic medications, etc.)
• Complete within three visits of admission a comprehensive biopsychosocial assessment of all clients using an assessment instrument which assesses, but not limited to (i.e. medical status, vocational/employment support, alcohol, tobacco and other drugs, legal status, family status, psychiatric status, and behavior risk factors for HIV and hepatitis.
• If applicable, engages in full compliance with the Scope of Practice of an LSW, LAC, and LCADC but not limited to: Social Work Services, Clinical Social Work Services, Professional Counselor/ Associate Counselor, and Alcohol and Drug Counselor under the supervision of an LCSW, LPC or LCADC .
• If applicable, will complete DSM-5- TR diagnoses.
• Initiate and complete the development of a measurable client treatment plan upon the client’s admission and enter the client’s treatment plan into the client record within 72 hours following the client’s admission.
• Revision and/or updates of client treatment plan(s) as assessments are completed, and/or new client information is obtained or on an as-needed basis.
• Identify and document goals for discharge, which shall be incorporated in the client's treatment plan upon admission to the facility and shall address problems identified at admission and during treatment.
• Initiate, implement, review and revise client’s treatment plan to include DSM-5TR diagnosis, ASAM Level of Care Assessment, measurable goals, objectives and treatment outcomes.
• Shall document evidence of client participation in the development and implementation of the treatment plan, including, but not limited to, dated signatures of client as well as signatures of participating multidisciplinary team members.
• Facilitates psycho-educational and/or process therapy group sessions on substance use and recovery-related topics in the Data, Assessment, Plan (DAP) documentation note taking format.
• Provide detailed daily progress notes for all individual, group, and/or family counseling services in clients' electronic health record (EHR) at the close of the business day.
• Provide case management duties (i.e., make referrals and coordinate scheduling of clients for evaluations and follow-up appointments with Eva’s Village’s psychiatrists and/or APN or other community psychiatrists/behavioral health providers).
• Performs Level of Care (LOCI) extension requests utilizing the New Jersey Substance Monitoring System (NJSAMS) and American Society of Addiction Medicine Criteria (ASAM) 4th Edition.
• Participates in a case conference with multidisciplinary treatment team to determine the best course of treatment for clients and to address all the client’s needs. Shall review the treatment plan and client's progress at least every 30 days, with such review and revisions, if any documented in the client’s electronic health record
• Incorporates results of random drug and alcohol screening into client interventions and treatment planning process upon review with the client.
• Shall document in the client's clinical record, the client and the client’s family (if indicated and considered appropriate), participation in the development of the client treatment plan and continuum of care plan
• Maintains effective intra-office and inter-office communication within departments.
• Participate in clinical staff meetings within the agency.
• Maintains client Electronic Health Record (EHR) and assures up-to-date client
• documentation for mental health services provided.
• Perform crisis intervention as clinically necessary.
• Collaborates with Parole, Probation, Recovery Court, Eva’s Village Recovery Court Liaison, etc., as clinically necessary.
• Performs other relevant duties as assigned by Supervisor and/or Director of Integrated Services.

Experience And Qualifications

• Minimum one to three years’ experience in the Behavioral Health field with experience in assessment, crisis intervention, and facilitation of individual and group counseling sessions
• Some knowledge of the bio-psychosocial model, DSM-5-TR mental health disorders and diagnosis,
• Some knowledge of resources for substance use disorder treatment and recovery support services
• Some knowledge of New Jersey Substance Abuse Monitoring System (NJSAMS).
• Some knowledge of American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) criteria
• Understanding and experience of substance use disorder treatment
• Some understanding of the confidentiality rules and regulations related to substance use disorder and/or mental health treatment
• Ability to speak, read, and write English

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in counseling or related counseling field required.
• Master’s degree in counseling or a related counseling field preferred.
• Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselors (CADC), required.
• Licensed Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselors (LCADC), or other licensed mental health professionals (LAC/LSW/LMT, LPC/LCSW/LFMT), preferred.