SUBSTANCE ABUSE COUNSELOR I

Alamance County Government; Reidsville (NC); On-site; USD 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

Alamance County Government seeks a Jail-Based Substance Use Counselor to provide consultation, case management and supportive counseling for detainees with substance use histories, prioritizing opiate treatment and recovery planning.

The role includes engaging individuals in detention, coordinating post-release connections to community services, and facilitating access to treatment, while documenting care and ensuring confidentiality and compliance with policies.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required with four years in a criminal justice setting addressing substance use.
• CADC or equivalent credential recognized by NC Addictions Specialist board preferred.
• Valid NC driver’s license and access to a personal vehicle preferred.
• Fluent in Spanish and English both oral and written preferred.

Responsibilities

• Engage individuals in jail, detention center, or treatment while maintaining a professional relationship.
• Establish contact within 7 days of release by telephone and in-person visits to connect to community services.
• Assist individuals in scheduling and getting to initial inpatient or outpatient appointments.
• Provide individualized, strength-based counseling and referrals per service plans and standards.
• Document the provision of services and maintain medical records.
• Monitor and help manage psychiatric and/or addiction symptoms.
• Maintain confidentiality and comply with laws, policies, and county procedures.
• Participate in Jail Mental Health and Pre-Trial team meetings; staff emergency shelters as required.

Skills

Case management

Counseling

Interventions

Documentation

Communication

Assessment

Education

High school diploma or GED

CADC or equivalent credential

Job description

The primary responsibility for this position is to provide consultation and coordination for individuals detained in the Alamance County Detention Center with a history or current problematic substance use concern; prioritizing those with opiate addiction and identify treatment and resource needs in the community to maximize opportunities for success in recovery. This position serves as an advocate for the person supported. Performs a wide range of tasks to assist with successful community reentry post -incarceration. Work involves providing assessment, case management, and supportive counseling to people in the detention center making appropriate referrals and connections, processing and maintaining forms and records, and arranging for the provision of services per existing laws, rules, and regulations. This position will utilize interventions that are individualized and strength-based while focusing on promoting recovery, symptom reduction, increased coping skills, and achievement of the highest level of functioning in the community. This position functions as a role model of competency in recovery and ongoing coping skills.

• Engage with individuals while in jail, detention center, or engaged in treatment, as early as possible and maintain a professional relationship throughout the provision of services.
• Establish and maintain contact with individuals within 7 days of release-by telephone and in-person visits to understand and assist with connection to community services.
• Assist individuals in scheduling and getting to initial inpatient or outpatient appointments to establish the individual in treatment services.
• Provide interventions that promote the individual’s personal safety, self-worth, confidence, growth, connection to the community, boundary setting and planning, self-advocacy, personal fulfillment and development of social supports, and effective communication skills.
• Provide intervention strategies to individuals and their families per the individual’s service plan, agency treatment philosophy, and governing standards.
• Engage individuals in activities aimed to assist in a wide range of skill development, symptom management, wellness, education, and work readiness when appropriate.
• Document the provision of services in the appropriate form.
• Monitor and help manage the presenting psychiatric and/or addiction symptoms.
• Maintain and submit accurate and timely documentation including all medical record requirements and assist with service authorizations as instructed.
• Maintain confidentiality and comply with governmental laws and regulations, as well as county policies and procedures.
• Other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the immediate supervisor.
• Participates in:

1. Jail Mental Health team
2. Pre-Trial team meetings
3. Other committees or councils as recommended by immediate supervisor

This position will also be required to staff emergency shelters as mandated by the State Public Health Office, assist with Public Health outbreak investigations and response, and perform additional duties as required by the Nursing Supervisor, Nursing Director, Medical Director and Health Director.

MINIMUM EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:

High school or General Educational Development (GED) diploma and four years of experience working in a criminal justice environment within a correctional facility, jail-based substance abuse treatment program, or a community-based substance treatment program that serves offenders adjudicated through the criminal justice system after credentialing has been obtained.

NECESSARY SPECIAL QUALIFICATIONS:

Valid N.C. driver's license and have access to a personal vehicle. Credentialed as a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC), or an equivalent credential from a governing authority, recognized by the NC Addictions Specialist Professional Practice Board.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Fluent in Spanish and English both oral and written is preferred but not required.

ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Working knowledge and application of the substance use disorder processes, including psychological and physical withdrawal.

Working knowledge of psycho pharmacy and drug interactions.

Working knowledge of medical terminology, disease processes, and treatment related to decisions regarding clinical interventions and appropriate therapies based on medical and psychological diagnoses.

Thorough knowledge and application of therapeutic approaches including group dynamics, crisis interventions, and family therapy, and behavioral intervention therapy for substance use disorders.

Through knowledge of community support groups and resources for individuals with substance use disorders.

Skill in evaluating and screening clients for appropriate treatment and referrals.

Skill in formulating clear, goal-oriented treatment plans, and concise record documentation.

Skill in developing and maintaining interpersonal relationships to include effective oral and written communication with team members, clients and other healthcare providers.

Ability to recognize co-occurring disorders and make appropriate mental health referrals while actively continues providing substance use disorder counseling.

Ability to serve as a resource/peer consultant.

Individuals need to possess and meet the following agency essential values:

• Accountability - Ability to accept responsibility and account for his/her actions.
• Accuracy - Ability to perform work accurately and thoroughly.
• Communication, Oral - Ability to communicate effectively with others using the spoken word.
• Communication, Written - Ability to communicate in writing clearly and concisely.
• Compassion - Ability to show kindness, empathy and genuine care.
• Honesty - Ability to be truthful, maintain high level of confidentiality and be seen as credible in the workplace.
• Integrity – Trustworthiness to a degree that one is incapable of being false to a trust, responsibility or pledge
• Judgment – Ability to use good judgment and discretion as it relates to following policies and procedures.
• Safety-Minded – Creating a safe work environment; managing risks; reducing exposure liabilities.
• Teamwork – Ability to work with others successfully and productively for the common cause and desired end goal.

A Message from Our Director – Alamance County Health (alamance-nc.com)

SELECTION PROCESS

Selection will be by structured interview. Applications will be reviewed to select the best-qualified applicants for admission to interview.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

N (Not Applicable) Activity is not applicable to this position.

O (Occasionally) Position requires this activity up to 33% of the time (0 - 2.5+ hrs/day)

F (Frequently) Position requires this activity from 33% - 66% of the time (2.5 - 5.5+ hrs/day)

C (Constantly) Position requires this activity more than 66% of the time (5.5+ hrs/day)

Stand F

Walk F

Sit F

Manually Manipulate O

Reach Outward O

Reach Above Shoulder O

Climb O

Crawl N

Squat or Kneel O

Bend O

Talk C

See C

Hear C

Lift/Carry

10 lbs or less O

11-20 lbs. O

21-50 lbs. O

51-100 lbs. O

Over 100 lbs. O

Push/Pull

12 lbs or less O

13-25 lbs. O

26-40 lbs. O

41-100 lbs. O

Vision (Near, Distance, Peripheral)

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit ad use hands to use general office equipment.