SUD Therapist

Elliot Health System; Manchester (NH); On-site; USD 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A regional health provider in Manchester, NH is looking for a qualified mental health counselor to provide substance use assessments and treatment planning. The role requires collaboration with health teams and direct patient interactions, with a focus on compliance and documentation. Ideal candidates have a Master’s in Social Work and at least three years of experience in mental health counseling with diverse populations.

Qualifications

• 3+ years post-licensure experience in mental health counseling.
• Experience with diverse client populations including those with co-occurring disorders.
• Certification as MLADC/LCMHC/LICSW required.

Responsibilities

• Conduct substance use assessments and make referrals.
• Provide counseling and facilitate group therapy.
• Document patient interventions and maintain compliance.

Skills

Ability to work under stress

Effective communication

Therapeutic relationship development

Knowledge of family systems

Data gathering and interviewing

Education

Master’s degree in Social Work or related field

Tools

EPIC

Microsoft Office

Job description

• Assessment: Provides substance use assessment of individuals who present for overdose or other substance use-related issues. Based on evaluation, makes appropriate referrals, both internal and external, to the hospital system. Serves the best interests of the patient and exercises independent professional judgment when rendering care.

• Treatment Planning: Works cross-functionally with teams throughout the Health System and collaboratively discusses potential treatment referrals.

• Counseling: Provides brief individual, and/or family interventions to reach therapeutic goals. May also be required to facilitate groups to cover gaps in staffing coverage.

• Documentation of Services: Maintains ongoing documentation of patient interventions. Documentation must be completed within 24‑hours of the service date. This includes documentation of initial substance use assessment, treatment plans, and referrals and any other patient interaction, including phone calls. Cooperates with audits of patient charts conducted to ensure compliance with all coding and documentation requirements and any compliance education reasonably required by the Director of Substance Use Services.

• Liaison Functions: Represents the practice in the community. Participates in marketing, education, as well as other activities to promote and enhance the public image of Elliot Health System.

• Quality Improvement Activities: Attends and provides input in Quality Improvement and Quality Assurance projects as deemed necessary by the Director of Substance Use Services. Such Quality Improvement activities will include activities related to enhancing and maintaining patient satisfaction.

• Supervision/Collaboration: Participates in ongoing peer supervision and collaboration to maintain licensure and to receive clinical input from peers. General oversight and clinical supervision will be provided by Director of Substance Use Services.

• Compliance: Follows up with patients within twenty‑four hours regarding referrals. Documents telephone conversations in the medical record system provided by Elliot Health System.

• Policies and Procedures: Adheres to all Elliot Health System departmental policies and

• Credentialing: Submits credentialing and re‑credentialing information to Medical Staff Affairs and Credentialing Specialist within seventy‑two hours of receipt of applications.

• Other Duties: Participates in appropriate role in disaster drills and other emergency situations, community events, committees, and other related activities as requested.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS

1. Ability to plan and perform diversified duties requiring general knowledge of policies and procedures applicable within the area. Ability to exercise considerable judgment to work independently toward general results, devising methods, modifying or adapting standard procedures so as to meet different conditions and make decisions based on precedent and policy.

• Ability to endure periods of heavy workload or excessive stress; ability to work with frequent interruptions and respond appropriately to unexpected situations.

• Ability to demonstrate courtesy, compassion and respect in relating to patients, families, visitors, physicians and coworkers. Ability to communicate effectively and establish a cooperative, collaborative working environment.

• Ability to accept constructive feedback and initiate appropriate actions to correct situation.

• Possession of a general knowledge regarding normal and abnormal human development and behavior, as well as recognized treatment interventions and skills necessary to conduct individual and/or group therapy. This includes the ability to develop and maintain a therapeutic relationship with patients.

• Possession of general knowledge of family systems and supports systems needed by family members. Ability to appropriately provide education and emotional support to family members through the use of effective communication skills.

• Ability to interview and gather data needed to diagnose the needs of individuals and their families.

• Ability to prepare clear, concise case narratives and reports.

• Possession of knowledge and skill sufficient to refer patients to appropriate social services including State and Federal agencies.

• Ability to work with mentally ill, character disordered, and/or cognitively impaired patients.

• Ability to maintain effective working relationships with both professional and paraprofessional institution staff and public and private sector professional staff.

• Ability to understand organizational systems so as to work within them for the benefit of the patient.

• Ability to assess the level of patient danger to self and/or others, as well as the potential for explosive behavior.

• Ability to build and maintain effective working relationships with representatives of a wide range of community agencies.

• Ability to testify clearly, effectively and professionally in psychiatric hearings.

• Possession of the knowledge, skills, and abilities so as to provide psychotherapy appropriate to patient age and intellectual development.

• Demonstrated proficiency in assessing treatment and responses and adapting care to meet the need of the patient population served (children and/or adults).

• Education: Master’s degree in Social Work or other related field.

• Experience: Minimum of three (3) year post‑licensure experience in the field of mental health counseling working with individuals living with alcohol or drug addiction. Experience with diverse client populations such as cultural and/or religious minorities, co‑occurring disorders, and socio‑economically disadvantaged clients.

• Certification/Licensure: MLADC/LCMHC/LICSW required.

• Software/Hardware: EPIC and Microsoft Office.

• Other: Knowledge of, and experience utilizing, various therapeutic modalities. Knowledge of Evidenced Based Practices (EBP) and other related clinical assessment skills. Ability to maintain confidentiality, with a knowledge of HIPAA and 42 CFR Part II a must.