Position Summary
Candidates for the position of Counselor must have a working knowledge of addiction, individual and group therapy techniques, clinical assessment methods, and the ability to apply that knowledge in the provision of direct care to individuals. As the lead member of a client’s care team, the Counselor is uniquely positioned to assist clients in their therapeutic work and preparing them to navigate various challenges of treatment and early recovery in order to step into a life of self-directed, successful recovery. To this end, the Counselor is empathetic and compassionate, leveraging skills in counseling techniques, problem solving, communication, time management, and professionalism.
The Counselor works at the direction of the Clinical Supervisor to (1*) provide individualized, evidence-based treatment that is tailored to the client's unique needs, (2) directly manage a client caseload by planning and executing tasks related to advancement through the Blueprints program and beyond, (3) collaborate with other members of the treatment team in the provision of coordinated and comprehensive client care, (4) maintain accurate and timely documentation of client interactions and clinical activities in accordance with departmental, program, regulatory and accreditation standards, and (5*) complete other duties as assigned by the Clinical Supervisor, Site Director, Executive Administrator, and Senior Leadership team.
Skills & Competencies
1.) Professionalism
2.) Assessment
3.) Time Management & Organization
4.) Communication & Collaboration
5.) Reporting & Documentation
6.) Counseling Techniques
7.) Goal Setting & Planning
8.) Problem Solving
9.) Program Facilitation
Duties & Responsibilities
1.) Utilize evidence-based practices in the provision of clinical services in client care, adhering to ethical and legal standards.
2.) Develop and review Treatment Plans--utilizing pre-admission and intake screenings to inform the Problem List--and update them according to their target dates.
3.) Complete insurance utilization activities, including contacting payors to obtain funding authorization.
4.) When necessary, complete Intake Evaluations for prospective clients, completing all required screening and assessment activities to inform the arrangement and delivery of care.
5.) Conduct Individual Therapy sessions with clients on their assigned caseload as requested, providing a safe and supportive environment for clients to explore their thoughts and feelings.
6.) Conduct the Initial Family Contact for all assigned clients, unless contraindicated, scheduling and facilitating subsequent Family Sessions with clients and their loved ones, when appropriate, to facilitate communication and understanding within the family system.
7.) Participate in Weekly Clinical Staff meeting, as well as any other scheduled or ad hoc meetings to conduct client cases conferences, receive feedback, and contribute to the development of the treatment program.
8.) Assist in engaging clients who are struggling to participate in programming and who express interest in disengaging from services against facility advice, collaborating with and directing the Client Care Coordinator, as necessary.
9.) Complete ASAM Review Notes and Risk Ratings in a thorough and timely manner, using standardized assessment tools and guidelines to evaluate clients' level of care and their risk of relapse or other adverse outcomes.
10.) Participate in a formal Case Consult for all assigned clients with other members of the client’s multi-disciplinary care team, which may include Counselors, Clinical Specialists, Clinical Supervisors, Client Service Coordinators, and/or Case Manager, to discuss complex cases, review treatment plans, and coordinate care.
11.) Conduct Group Process Therapy Sessions with clients on assigned caseload, utilizing evidence-based group therapy techniques to provide a supportive and therapeutic environment for clients to share their experiences and learn from others.
12.) Collaborate with Clinical Compliance, as necessary, to ensure the timely and accurate completion of documentation relevant to clinical activities, which includes, but is not limited to:
a. Consents & Releases of Information
b. Relevant screening and assessments
c. Treatment planning
d. Case Consult note
e. Case Conference notes
f. Aftercare plan
g. Discharge summary
h. Case Management notes
i. Initial Family Contact efforts
j. Individual and Family session notes
k. Group notes
13.) Complete weekly auditing activities on client charts that are assigned to fellow counselors.
14.) Actively coordinate care during a client’s enrollment in services and ensure, through work with and delegation to Client Services and/or Case Managers, the continuity of care upon a client's discharge via the Aftercare Plan and Discharge Summary, making appropriate referrals for follow-up care as needed, such as MAT referrals, medical referrals, and psychiatric referrals.
a. Ensure that the Recovery Plan created with the client by Client Services is distributed to the client along with the Aftercare Plan prior to discharge.
15.) Complete the County Funding discharge process and all associated documentation, as needed for clients receiving funding via County Drug and Alcohol Commissions.
16.) Complete the discharge process for all assigned clients within the client's Electronic Medical Record, documenting treatment progress and ensuring that all required information is included in the discharge summary.
17.) Schedule, review, and interpret urine drug screenings for assigned clients.
18.) Engage in inter-departmental communication with Medical, Client Services, Residential Services, Transportation, Admissions, Utilization Review, Clinical Compliance, and Intakes, as needed, to ensure that clients receive comprehensive and coordinated care.
19.) Participate in monthly Supervision sessions with Clinical Supervisor, receiving feedback and guidance on client cases and professional development.
20.) Participate in training activities as required by Blueprints and as outlined in PA Code § 704.11, to maintain and enhance professional knowledge and skills.
Education & Experience
· Current licensure in this Commonwealth as a physician.
· A Master’s Degree or above from an accredited college with a major in chemical dependency, psychology, social work, counseling, nursing (with a clinical specialty in the human services) or other related field which includes a practicum in a health or human service agency, preferably in a drug and alcohol setting. If the practicum did not take place in a drug and alcohol setting, the individual’s written training plan shall specifically address a plan to achieve counseling competency in chemical dependency issues.
· A Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college with a major in chemical dependency, psychology, social work, counseling, nursing (with a clinical specialty in the human services) or other related field and 1 year of clinical experience (a minimum of 1,820 hours) in a health or human service agency, preferably in a drug and alcohol setting. If a person’s experience did not take place in a drug and alcohol setting, the individual’s written training plan shall specifically address a plan to achieve counseling competency in chemical dependency issues.
· An Associate Degree from an accredited college with a major in chemical dependency, psychology, social work, counseling, nursing (with a clinical specialty in the human services) or other related field and 2 years of clinical experience (a minimum of 3,640 hours) in a health or human service agency, preferably in a drug and alcohol setting. If a person’s experience was not in a drug and alcohol setting, the individual’s written training plan shall specifically address a plan to achieve counseling competency in chemical dependency issues.
· Current licensure in this Commonwealth as a registered nurse and a degree from an accredited school of nursing and 1 year of counseling experience (a minimum of 1,820 hours) in a health or human service agency, preferably in a drug and alcohol setting. If a person’s experience was not in a drug and alcohol setting, the individual’s written training plan shall specifically address a plan to achieve counseling competency in chemical dependency issues.
· Full certification as an addictions counselor by a statewide certification body which is a member of a National certification body or certification by another state government’s substance abuse counseling certification board.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $45,000.00 - $50,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Schedule:
Ability to Relocate:
- Lancaster, PA: Relocate before starting work (Required)
Work Location: In person