Methadone Counselor

The position provides counseling to individuals receiving integrated substance abuse treatment and primary care services at the Substance Abuse Treatment Program.

Responsibilities:

• Comprehensive psychosocial.
• Instruct patients in program policies and procedures.
• Development, implementation and review of treatment plans.
• Provision of substance abuse counseling to individuals, groups, and families. Counseling focusing on building motivation, educating, planning crisis intervention, relapse prevention and aftercare.
• Coordination of comprehensive services within the clinic for patients on counseling caseload.
• Monitoring of 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 evaluation regarding mental health needs of patients on caseload (i.e. presence of psychiatric symptoms, suicidality, homicidality etc.)
• 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.
• Acts as liaison between patient and outside agencies
• Attend regularly scheduled meetings. i.e. IDC’s, staff meetings, morning reports, case management meetings, and other team meetings determined to be necessary.
• Maintains required records on patients and updates progress notes as required. Ensures clinical chart contains necessary information regarding patient’s status and other information required by the program policies and regulatory agencies. Completes all required forms and treatment plans.
• Assist patients with referral to other services and agencies determined to be necessary to the recovery process (i.e. shelters, detox units, legal counsel, etc.)
• Give case presentations in supervision, IDC meetings, daily reports.
• Ensure all counselor specific billable services are billed and perform follow-ups to billing (delinquent payments, obtaining information required to bill, confirming and updating billing information, etc.)
• Attendance at seminars, trainings and grand rounds which are determined to be important to staff development.
• Counselors will directly supervise the collection of toxicology samples for all patients as required by federal and state regulations.
• Meet with family members, significant others and outside providers as determined to be necessary and appropriate for clinical management and care.

Qualifications:

• One year’s work experience as an addiction’s counselor (preferably with methadone clients) and a BA or BS degree required. CASAC or license in social work, mental health counseling or a related field is also required.
• Twelve core functions of counselors.
• Knowledge of governmental, private and community programs and entitlements available to patients, familiarity with various state and federal regulations.
• Knowledge of computer software.
• Experience with recognizing signs of neglect or abuse of children, adults or elderly.

This is a 100% grant funded position.