Substance Use Disorder Counselor

Wexford Health Sources, Inc.; Grants (NM); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual performance review

Generous paid time off

Comprehensive health insurance

401(k) with company match

Short-term disability insurance

Job summary

Wexford Health Sources, Inc. is seeking a Substance Use Counselor in Grants, NM, to provide essential services for individuals with substance use disorders in a correctional setting. This role involves assessing patient needs, delivering evidence-based counseling, and coordinating care with community services upon release.

Ideal candidates will hold a Master’s Degree in Social Work or Counseling, have a current licensure, and a minimum of two years of addiction treatment experience. Generous benefits include comprehensive health insurance and a robust paid-time-off program.

Qualifications

• Must be licensed as LISAC, LASAC, or LSAT, with LISAC preferred.
• Current CPR certification required.
• Minimum of two years in addiction treatment counseling preferred.
• At least one year of correctional experience required.

Responsibilities

• Assess new arrivals for substance use disorders.
• Conduct triage and integrate care plans.
• Provide group therapy focused on addiction issues.
• Coordinate care with community providers upon release.

Skills

Addiction treatment counseling

Assessment skills

Psychoeducational group therapy

Interpersonal communication

Confidential record handling

Education

Master’s Degree in Social Work or Counseling

Tools

Electronic health record systems

Job description

Sign on bonus eligible!

Wexford Health Sources, Inc. is one of the nation’s largest correctional health care providers. Over the past 30 years, our team of dedicated clinical professionals has helped literally millions of justice‑involved patients receive life‑changing medical and mental health services.

Position Summary

The Substance Use Counselor is responsible and accountable for the delivery of contracted substance use disorder services in the Western New Mexico Correctional Facility South. Primary duties include screening and assessment of psychiatric, medical, social, employment and residential needs, as well as risk factors for re‑incarceration as soon as possible after the individual’s admission to jail. The Counselor will also work with designated NMCD staff to coordinate aftercare services in the community.

Duties/Responsibilities

1. Assesses booking information on each new arrival to determine if there is a clinically significant problem with alcohol and/or other drugs of abuse.
2. Screen new arrivals with a substance use disorder to determine severity of need.
3. Review referrals received from healthcare providers, medical staff, programs staff and security staff to determine severity of need.
4. Effectively triage patients for addiction severity assessment, medical and/or psychiatric care focused on continuity of care and stabilization of condition.
5. Provide brief supportive interactions with individuals undergoing medically supervised withdrawal.
6. Complete screening tools for particular substance use disorders.
7. Conduct assessment with referred patients to gauge the severity of an individual’s substance use and provide a comprehensive overview of an individual’s addiction‑related issues.
8. Provide psychoeducational group therapy services focused on identification of addiction‑related issues and the development of relapse prevention planning.
9. Coordinate care with community providers and community supervision agencies, including the exchange of treatment records, communication of treatment needs and linkage of individuals with available services and support options upon release in concert with NMCD staff.
10. Connect patients with any on‑site services and programs available to assist with meeting needs.
11. Generate detainee passes for clinic visits and medication orders, collect patient signature and submit to the medical department staff responsible.
12. Obtain patient signatures on any refusals for medications and services.
13. Complete patient requests for health records in an effort to retrieve prior health records.
14. Communicate with individuals via request, triage the requests and schedule tasks within the electronic health record.
15. Coordinate discharge planning with designated NMCD staff.
16. Ensure and maintain the confidentiality of all medical records information and patient care information.
17. Validate and ensure that forms for the release of information are current, accurate and complete as defined by HIPAA.
18. Release information at the direction of the Psychiatric Provider, Mental Health Professional, Medical Director or Health Services Administrator.
19. Refer to supervisor any requests of a questionable nature.
20. Ensure the security of all active and inactive medical records.
21. Assist in preparing periodic statistical reports and other management information system requirements. Maintain logs for appropriate medical unit onsite staff.
22. Understand and comply with all state, facility and company policies, procedures and protocols related to the medical and mental health departments.
23. Meet timelines related to case management and departmental productivity guidelines.

Job Requirements

• Licensing: Currently licensed as Licensed Independent Substance Abuse Counselor (LISAC), Licensed Associate Substance Abuse Counselor (LASAC), or Licensed Substance Abuse Technician (LSAT). LISAC preferred.
• Certification: Current CPR certification.
• Education: Master’s Degree in Social Work, Counseling or related field.
• Preferred Experience:
  • Minimum of two (2) years addictions treatment counseling.
  • Minimum of one (1) year correctional experience.

Benefits

• Annual review with performance increase.
• Generous paid‑time off program that combines vacation and sick leave.
• Paid holidays.
• Comprehensive health insurance through Blue Cross Blue Shield.
• Dental and vision insurance.
• 401(k) retirement saving plans with company match.
• Company‑paid short‑term disability.
• Healthcare and dependent care spending account.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Wexford Health Sources, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin or protected veteran or disability status.