Substance Abuse Counselor (521)

Helen Farabee Centers; Wichita Falls (TX); On-site; USD 38,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

Helen Farabee Centers in Texas is seeking a Substance Abuse Counselor to perform counseling, develop treatment plans, and coordinate with departments and community partners to maximize resources for chemical dependency treatment.

Under supervision of the SA Clinical Director/Program Manager, you will screen admissions, document progress, and apply trauma-informed care across services; licensure or internship status is required.

Qualifications

• Must have a high school diploma or GED and current licensure as a Chemical Dependency Counselor or counselor intern, LPC intern, LPC, or LCSW by the Texas Department of State Health Services.
• Must meet the educational and experience exemptions/waivers per Texas licensure requirements, pass criminal history standards including fingerprints, and be trustworthy as determined by DSHS.
• Knowledge of DSM-IV, counseling techniques, evidence-based practices, and trauma-informed care within service delivery.

Responsibilities

• Performs moderately complex substance abuse counseling and coordinates with departments, divisions, agencies, and community organizations to maximize treatment resources.
• Screens and coordinates admissions into Center outpatient adolescent and adult SA services.
• Works under supervision with initiative and independent judgment; adheres to trauma-informed practices.
• Maintains records and writes progress notes with clear spelling and grammar.
• Learns and implements Center and SA Department policies and procedures.

Skills

Substance abuse counseling

DSM-IV knowledge

Counseling techniques

Recordkeeping/Reporting

Interpersonal skills

Trauma-informed approach

Education

HS Diploma/GED

Chemical Dependency Counselor Licensure

Tools

Microsoft Office

CMBHS knowledge

Job description

Works under the direct supervision of Substance Abuse Clinical Director/Program Manager.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Performs moderately complex substance abuse counseling work. Work involves planning, coordinating, and implementing substance abuse counseling activities, and coordinating with other departments, divisions, agencies, and community organizations to ensure the maximum utilization of resources available for chemical dependency treatment and rehabilitation. Facilitates substance abuse program services as directed and approved by the SA Program Administrator and the counselors immediate supervisor, SA Clinical Director/Program Manager. Screens, and coordinates admissions into Center outpatient adolescent and adult SA services. Works under general supervision with moderate latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. HFC incorporates principles of trauma-informed care, which includes cultural sensitivity, in all areas of service delivery. All job descriptions include the responsibility to learn about and implement trauma-informed practices within the scope of work for the position. Reassignment is a condition of employment that may occur at the employers discretion. Your work location and hours could change based on program needs.

Qualifications

Education, Training, and Experience

Must have high school diploma or GED and have current Licensure as a Chemical Dependency Counselor or counselor Intern, LPC Intern, LPC, or LCSW by the Texas Department of State Health Services. If a LPC or LCDC Intern, individual must comply with terms of that supervision as outlined in the state of Texas licensure requirements. All individuals must meet the educational and experience exemptions/waivers as outlined in DSHS chapter 450.109, pass criminal history standards which includes fingerprints as described in 450.115, sign a written agreement to abide by the ethics contained in 450.121, and be worthy of public trust and confidence as determined by Department of State Health Services. Must be able to pass a pre-employment drug screen to work with this population. Must have current driver’s license and be insurable under Center insurance. Must pass all Center and SA department mandated trainings.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of chemical dependency, chemical abuse that is inclusive of alcoholism and drug addiction as treatable diseases, workable knowledge of the DSM-IV to support diagnoses relating to substance abuse and mental health disorders, co-dependency, relapse prevention, family dynamics, support groups in the community setting, related disorders. Possess knowledge of counseling techniques, importance of evidence based practices, willingness to implement these practices; and knowledge of recovery processes.
• Ability to interview, screen, build rapport with, and evaluate clients; to counsel others; to instruct others; to aid in the implementation and the facilitation of chemical dependency treatment programs; to prepare concise reports; and to maintain records.
• Ability to write progress notes according to standard, assessments, memos, letters, various complex reports and miscellaneous other documents with acceptable spelling and grammar.
• Ability to relate verbal instructions, communicate in a courteous and effective fashion with co-workers, consumers, families, agencies and the public.
• Display a customer service orientation; at all times treating customers with respect and as partners in the recovery process.
• Skilled in the use of personal and network computers, word processing, database, spreadsheet and office management software (Microsoft Office), familiarity with CMBHS a plus.
• Ability to abide by the Centers and the specific SA Departments policies and procedures. Demonstration of knowledge of the Texas Administrative Codes specific to delivery of SA services and the ability to abide by the guidelines set forth in the TAC.