Chemical Dependency Counselor/Partial Hospitalization/PRN/Day

Position Summary

Under indirect to general supervision, the Chemical Dependency Counselor performs a broad range of chemical dependency counseling functions. These include conducting Substance Abuse Assessments; providing insight-oriented addiction education and therapy to individual patients, families and groups; providing education and referrals to appropriate community resources and treatment programs; and acting as a member of the multidisciplinary treatment team in treatment planning and discharge planning for patients with a Substance Use Disorder diagnosis. The Chemical Dependency Counselor assists the Director of Clinical Services and the department in program evaluation, planning and implementation to ensure the provision of effective, evidence-based treatment is provided to the addicted patient population.

Job Duties/Responsibilities

• Conducts Substance Abuse assessments with identified patients to establish presence and severity of addictive behaviors.
• Provides insight-oriented education and therapy to individual patients, families and groups.
• Works with patients and their families to create an individualized Relapse Prevention Plan which identifies specific patient triggers and recovery-oriented coping skills.
• Consults with psychiatrists, other physicians or therapists and staff of other departments. Identifies patient needs and communicates these to the treatment team.
• Maintains appropriate documentation of therapeutic and assessment activities in a timely manner and with appropriate attention to detail.
• Communicates with patients, families, caregivers, significant others and members of the healthcare team to promote maximum benefit of care.
• Provides education and training to peers and community groups to increase knowledge of Substance Use Disorders, Substances of abuse, Evidence-based practices, Pavilion chemical dependency programming and treatment methods.
• Operates within scope of practice of LCDC licensure and demonstrates competencies described in CSAT Tap 21 (Addiction Counseling Competencies) as required under that licensure.

Leadership

• Provides leadership and guidance related to unique expertise in substance abuse assessment and treatment on the Pavilion unit where assigned. Utilizes appropriate skills in delegating, organizing and educating coworkers.
• Provides training and mentorship regarding chemical dependency and substance use disorders to masters level interns as assigned.
• Responds to department needs; flexes time or work location relative to census.
• Participates in and contributes to the quality improvement process for the department and institution. Accepts responsibility for portion of outcome data collection.
• Collaborates effectively with interdisciplinary team processes.
• Provides support as needed on inpatient unit where assigned without requiring specific direction.
• Cooperates with requests of other departments such as Medical Records and Business Office.
• Shares creative ideas with interdisciplinary teams and management with the goal of improved patient care.
• Maintains licensure, competencies and specialty knowledge in chemical dependency.

Maintenance of a Safe Environment

• Maintains competency in CPR and PMAB for patient and staff protection.
• Assesses risks for safety and implements appropriate precautions.

Operational Excellence

Provides services in such a way as to meet the fiscal goals of the organization. Implements value added programs and services. Manages the satisfaction of department customers to include patients, employees and physicians through effective communication and appropriate responsiveness to customer issues.

Qualifications

Education, Training, Experience and Licenses/Registrations Required: LCDC licensure preferred, or Licensure at Masters level in Social Work, Counseling or related mental health field with 2 years experience in substance use disorders assessment and treatment.

Physical and Sensory Requirements

• Ability to read and write in English.
• Ability to communicate at an appropriate level with patients, families, staff, physicians, support agencies, vendors and others.
• Ability to evaluate and interpret information and make independent decisions.
• Ability to tolerate prolonged sitting.
• Ability to move from office to patient care areas as needed.
• Must have physical stamina to handle wheelchairs and to assist functionally impaired patients with transfers and personal care as needed.
• Must have emotional stamina to deal with a variety of stressful situations including response to complaints, maintaining a calm demeanor and good judgment under stress.
• Ability to respond to pages, telephone and other auditory stimulation.
• Quantitative mathematical ability (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, standard/metric measurements).