Substance Abuse Counselor

The Berkshire Edge, LLC.; North Adams (MA); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Berkshirejobs seeks a Qualified Substance Abuse Counselor to provide short-term individual and group counseling within the ACCS program in Massachusetts. You will teach recovery skills and promote skills to reduce substance use, while adhering to regulations and organizational policies.

You will participate in team meetings, coordinate with care providers, and develop person-centered treatment plans that respect cultural and linguistic needs.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required; Bachelor’s Degree preferred.
• Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC), Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LADC) I and/or II in Massachusetts.
• Prior experience in providing individual and group substance abuse counseling.
• Excellent knowledge of the dynamics of substance abuse treatment intervention and education.
• Basic knowledge of diagnostic and treatment planning.
• Basic knowledge of computers.
• Basic knowledge of community resources.
• Excellent oral & presentation skills.
• Basic leadership skills.
• Ability to work on an interdisciplinary team.
• Flexibility to meet with newly enrolled Persons including weekends, evenings, etc.
• Ability to delegate effectively.
• Ability to facilitate groups in other community locations.
• Valid driver’s license and use of personally insured vehicle for agency business.

Responsibilities

• Adheres to all applicable state and federal regulations; ensures compliance with the organization’s policies and procedures, code of conduct, and all applicable regulatory requirements.
• Provides short-term individual and group counseling services.
• Attends local and out of area hospital/program meetings for newly referred persons.
• Attends hospital discharge meetings locally or out of area.
• Communicates all events (e.g., hospital admissions, discharges, detox admissions, incarcerations, assaults, etc.).
• Provides clinical oversight to Persons on the Group Living Environment (GLE) and Integrated teams.
• Develops Person-Centered Treatment Plans that incorporate attainable and achievable goals, including cultural and linguistic needs and involving LAR and support network.
• Attends weekly team meetings and facilitates recovery meetings.
• Facilitates case consultations at sites in collaboration with the Clinical Director.
• Coordinates and facilitates treatment and team meetings, ensuring interpretive services for non-English speakers and including legally authorized representatives.
• Meets with each person at least once weekly for check-in.
• Develops clinical plans to support the ACCS team and person with natural/community supports.
• Develops wellness initiatives and plans to support persons.
• Develops harm reduction plans for persons using substances in high-risk situations.
• Collaborates with Care Coordinators and DMH case managers.
• Delivers substance abuse, recovery, and stages of change trainings to staff.
• Completes substance abuse assessments and designs treatment plans.
• Completes all necessary paperwork timely.
• Coordinates treatment components and communicates with Integrated Team members.
• Provides Harm Reeducation education and connects to community programs (e.g., 12-step, wellness, counseling, day structure).
• Provides consultation to community agencies on substance abuse issues upon request.
• Serves in the Clinician/LPHA role when warranted.

Skills

Substance abuse counseling

Group counseling

Interdisciplinary teamwork

Documentation skills

Driver's license

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Bachelor’s Degree preferred

Tools

CADC

LADC I/II MA

Job description

Job Summary

Provides substance abuse counseling to persons in the ACCS program. To teach recovery skills, educates and promotes skills to reduce substance use.

Essential Job Functions

• Adheres to all applicable state and federal regulations; ensures compliance with the organization’s policies and procedures, code of conduct, and all applicable regulatory requirements.


• Provides short-term individual and group counseling services.


• Attends local and out of area hospital/program meetings for newly referred persons.


• Attends hospital discharge meetings locally or out of area. [LB1.1]


• Communicates all events (e.g., hospital admissions, discharges, detox admissions, incarcerations, assaults, etc.).[LB2.1]


• Provides clinical oversight to Persons on the Group Living Environment (GLE) and Integrated teams.


• Develops Person-Centered Treatment Plans that incorporate attainable and achievable goals, which are individually strength based, including personal preferences, incorporating the cultural and linguistic needs of the person and includes person Limited Assistance Representative (LAR) and support network (i.e., family, friends, clergy, etc.)


• Attends weekly team meetings and facilitates recovery meetings.


• Facilitates case consultations at sites in collaboration with the Clinical Director.


• Coordinates and facilitates treatment and team meetings, ensuring that interpretive services are provided for primary non-English speaking/reading individuals, and ensures legally authorized representatives are included and well informed.


• Meets with each person at least once weekly for check-in.


• Develops clinical plans to support the ACCS team and person while incorporating natural and community supports.


• Develops and incorporates wellness initiatives and plans to support persons.


• Develops plans that include harm reduction for persons using substances and participating in high-risk situations.


• Collaborates directly with the Care Coordinators and DMH case managers.


• Delivers substance abuse, recovery, and stages of change trainings to staff in all ACCS settings.


• Completes substance abuse assessment and design treatment plan.


• Completes all necessary paperwork in a timely manner.


• Coordinates treatment components and communicates with all Integrated Team members.


• Provides treatment to educate persons of substance use through a Harm Reeducation approach, connecting to community programs (e.g., 12-step, wellness, counseling, day structure, etc.)


• Provides consultation to community agencies on substance abuse issues upon request.


• Serves in the Clinician/Licensed Practitioner of the Healing Arts (LPHA) role when warranted.

Qualifications, Experience, and Education

• High school diploma or equivalent; Bachelor’s Degree preferred.


• Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC), Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LADC) I and/or LADC II in Massachusetts.


• Prior experience in providing individual and group substance abuse counseling.


• Excellent knowledge of the dynamics of substance abuse treatment intervention and education.


• Basic knowledge and skill in diagnostic and treatment planning.


• Basic knowledge of computers.


• Basic knowledge of community resources.


• Excellent oral & presentation skills.


• Basic leadership skills.


• Ability to work on an interdisciplinary team.


• Ability to be flexible to meet newly enrolled Persons including weekends, evenings, etc.


• Ability to delegate effectively.


• Ability to facilitate groups in other community locations.


• Valid driver’s license and use of personally insured vehicle for agency business.