Alcohol and Drug Counselor Apprentice

Job Description

Job Description

Starting Hourly Rate of Pay : $22.2248 / hr + DOE

Schedule : Monday / Wednesday / Friday 8-5pm, Tuesday / Thursday 10-7pm

At Virginia Garcia Memorial Health Center, we welcome diversity; we encourage, uplift, and are honored to serve people who have been historically underrepresented and underserved.

Our mission is to provide high-quality, culturally appropriate healthcare to low-income residents of Washington and Yamhill Counties, with a special emphasis on seasonal and migrant farm workers and others with barriers to receiving healthcare.

We strive to provide an inclusive environment that welcomes and values the diversity of the people we employ and serve.

If you are unsure whether you meet all of the required qualifications for this role but are interested and passionate about this potential position, we encourage you to apply.

Job Summary : This position is designed for people enrolled in a formal CADC-R training program at a VGMHC approved and contracted agency to pursue and achieve CADC certification.

The CADC-R Apprentice works as a member of the Integrated Behavioral Health department, as a member of a multi-disciplinary team, and performs delegated clinical and administrative duties within the supervising provider’s scope of practice and consistent with the CADC-R Apprentice’s education, training, and demonstrated competency.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities :

• Provide Substance Use Disorder individual counseling.
• Provide assessment and treatment planning upon intake and throughout services as needed to determine appropriate level of care.
• Facilitate transfer to higher levels of care as assessed and appropriate.
• Provide relapse prevention support services and planning.
• Follow up frequently and regularly with patients who are struggling with relapse and / or have a high relapse potential.
• Update medical records and clinical documentation timely using Epic - EHR in compliance with regulatory and agency guidelines.
• Apply motivational interviewing techniques to promote engagement in treatment.
• Provide crisis intervention to patients, utilizing clinical judgement to support a safe and trauma-informed treatment environment.
• Follow appropriate procedures for community-based and clinic safety protocols.
• Promote agency initiatives and focus on identified patient sub-populations as determined by agency executive team.
• Attend agency and community meetings as appropriate and determined in collaboration with supervisor.
• Initiate and participate in patient care inter- and multi-disciplinary case conferences and educational and program service programs.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• Handle protected health information (PHI) in a manner consistent with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA).

Training :

• Engage in learning activities through structured training programs, preceptor directed activities, and task- specific training from staff on site.
• Expect to study outside work hours to gain knowledge and understanding of career, and to successfully complete assignments.
• Learning may occur in multiple clinics and environments.

HIPAA Requirements : The Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor - R Apprentice will have access to PHI during the course of their work activities.

They will use the information to provide individual patient assessments to be used in the development of comprehensive integrated medical care services.

Applying the minimum necessary standard of HIPAA, the designated record sets to which this position will have access include : all sections of the medical record, patient demographic information in the practice management system, incoming records, reports, results, consultations, etc.

This position is required to read the content of these records only to the extent needed to accomplish the assigned tasks.

SUD related notes will be restricted as appropriate to comply with confidentiality regulations around substance use disorders.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Developed during Training :

• Knowledge of methods of behavioral medicine and evidence-based treatments for medical, mental and substance use conditions.
• Knowledge of the problems and dynamics in treating medically underserved populations.
• Demonstrated knowledge of community health, welfare, resources, referral sources, and social agencies is required.
• Ability to apply age-specific principles of growth and development and life stages to meet each patient’s needs, commensurate with educational preparation.
• Skills in de-escalation and knowledge of best practices for working with patients who may be in crisis.
• Proficiency with MS Office Suite (Excel, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint). Prior EMR experience preferred.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to organize and prioritize tasks.
• Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines.
• Strong analytical, attention to detail and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work successfully as a primary health care team member.
• Collaborative / cooperative working and communication skills.
• Valid driver’s license, reliable transportation, safe driving record and active auto insurance coverage.
• Bilingual English / Spanish language skills (speaking, reading, and writing) preferred.

Education and Experience Required :

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Must be enrolled in and actively attending a formal CADC - R training program with a Virginia Garcia contracted organization and meet regularly with direct supervisor as required for your certificate.

Behavioral Competencies :

Accountability

Role model VG’s mission, vision, and shared values

Customer-Focus

Listen to the voice of the customer and strive to delight them by exceeding their expectations.

Teamwork

If someone needs help, help them.

Initiative

Be innovative, apply fresh ideas, and continuously improve how you do your work.

Confidentiality

Maintain strict confidentiality and respect the privacy of others.

Ethical

Demonstrate integrity, honesty, and stewardship in all encounters at work.

Respect

Demonstrate consideration and appreciation for co-workers and patients.

Communication

Demonstrate the ability to convey thoughts and ideas as well as understand perspective of others.

Physical Requirements :

Percentage of time spent

• Standing / Walking : up to 20%
• Sitting : up to 90%
• Lifting / Carrying : less than 5%; may occasionally lift up to 20 lbs.
• Travel to multiple locations within Washington and Yamhill counties.

Working Environment / Physical Hazards

Work in a well-lit, ventilated office environment.

Office equipment used.

• Computer : databases and word processing
• Telephone, fax, copier, scanner

Immunization

Staff member must meet immunization requirements as stated in VGMHC’s immunization policy and state and federal guidelines.

Job descriptions represent a general outline of the essential and major job duties, functions and qualifications required.

They cannot be all-inclusive and comprehensive due to the dynamic nature of work performed to accomplish VGMHC’s Mission.

VGMHC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. No person is unlawfully excluded from consideration for employment because of race, color, religious creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, age, veteran status, marital status, or physical challenges.

The policy applies not only to recruitment and hiring practices, but also includes affirmative action in the area of placement, promotion, transfer, rate of pay and termination.