Substance Abuse Counselor

Over the past forty years, Montefiore's Division of Substance Abuse has helped thousands of people enter recovery and re-join their families and communities. Through recovery, individuals are empowered to help find meaning in their lives and integrate back into their communities.

The Counselor position provides individual and group counseling and case management to individuals receiving integrated substance abuse treatment and primary care services at the Montefiore Medical Center.

Responsibilities:

• Develop a comprehensive psychosocial and complete upon admission
• Instruct patients in program policies and procedures and document in the clinical chart
• Develop, implement and review of treatment plans
• Provide substance abuse counseling to individuals, groups, and families focusing on building motivation, educating, planning crisis intervention, relapse prevention and aftercare
• Care and case management of comprehensive services for patients
• Monitor patients’ response to methadone medication treatment through individual counseling and toxicology review
• Conduct vocational/educational and learning needs evaluation in psychosocial and ongoing as indicated. Provide referral as needed
• Perform preliminary screening regarding mental health needs of patients on caseload
• Evaluate patient eligibility for entitlements (Public Assistance, SSI, Medicaid etc.) Refer patients to appropriate agencies when indicated
• Enter patient data into HRA/STARS computerized database in a timely manner
• Act as liaison between patient and outside agencies
• Attend regularly scheduled meetings (e.g., IDC’s, staff meetings, morning reports, case management meetings)
• Maintain required records on patients and updates progress notes as required. Ensure clinical chart contains necessary information regarding patient’s status and other information. Complete all required forms and treatment plans
• Assist patients with referral to other services and agencies determined to be necessary to the recovery process
• Give case presentations in supervision, IDC meetings, daily reports
• Ensure all counselor specific billable services are billed and perform follow-ups to billing
• Directly supervise the collection of toxicology samples for all patients when required
• Meet with family members, significant others and outside providers as determined to be necessary and appropriate for clinical management and care

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree required, Master’s Degree in Social Work or Mental Health Counseling is preferred
• Candidates with a Bachelor’s degree must have a CASAC
• Candidates with a Master’s degree must have one of the following NYS Licenses or certifications: CASAC, MSW with limited permit, MHC with limited permit, MFT with limited permit, LCAT with limited permit

• A minimum of 1 year of work experience in addiction counseling required
• Knowledge of computer software and ability to document all services in an Electronic Health Record
• 12 core functions of Counselors, knowledge of governmental, private, and community programs and entitlements available to patients, familiarity with Oasis and TJC regulations and standards are required

This is a 100% Grant Funded position.