Substance Abuse Counselor - OSAR

Job Number : 89

Location : Midland

Supervises : N

FLSA : Non-Exempt

Division : SUD

Salary : $20.65 if BA or LCDC intern; $45,261 if LCDC

Shift : M-F 8am - 5pm; may require a flexible work schedule; Assigned work hours may change as the needs of the agency and clients change

Driving required : Y

Travel required : Y

Settings : office, field

POSITION SUMMARY / JOB PURPOSE :

The OSAR (Outreach, Screening, Assessment, and Referral) Substance Abuse Counselor conducts daily screenings, either face-to-face or telephonically, for clients seeking Substance Use Disorder (SUD) treatment and makes appropriate referrals for services such as SUD treatment, mental health treatment, medical services, recovery support services, HIV / TB / STD testing, Tobacco Cessation, and all other appropriate referrals per client needs.

Assessments are conducted if a client is referred outside of Health Region 9.

This position works independently, under limited supervision, reporting major activities through periodic meetings.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, OTHER QUALIFICATIONS :

Education Required : High School Diploma or GED.

Experience Required : At least 2 years experience in the field of substance abuse treatment preferred.

Registration, Certification, Licensure or other Qualifications Required :

• Must maintain a valid Texas Driver's license, auto liability insurance and a driving record acceptable to PermiaCare's insurance requirements.
• Required to pass criminal history and background checks as well as pre-employment drug screen.
• Must possess current and valid LCDC or LCDC intern license or obtain one within 6 months (if qualify as QMHP).

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES :

• Provide daily screenings for clients seeking substance use treatment in accordance with the DSM-V criteria, State rules and the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) criteria to determine eligibility or referral.
• Ensure the client is referred for services not deemed as substance use, such as psychiatric care, medical care, psychological services, COPSD, and other appropriate services determined by the needs of the client.
• Complete screenings with clients ensuring that all PermiaCare and DSHS required forms are completed correctly and scanned into the correct folder.
• Ensure that financial resources are determined during the screening process and that documentation supporting the client's financial status has been put in the client file such as paycheck stubs, tax return, letter from employer, etc.
• Provide comprehensive assessment based on DSM-V criteria, State standards, and determine appropriate service level for each client admitted for services.
• Provide appropriate referrals based on screening and assessment for each client.
• Screen every client on risk factors for HIV / STD / TB / HCV, Hepatitis B and C, and nicotine use and be able to provide appropriate referrals.
• Observe clients during screening and assessments and document behavior, attitude and progress.
• Maintain knowledge in the up-to-date clinical aspects of adult treatment service protocols.
• Provide tobacco screening and appropriate tobacco cessation services for every client.
• Enter all client information into EHR within 24 hours of services provided.
• Attend all staff meetings and program required trainings.
• Achieve and maintains program productivity as designated by program supervisor.
• Provide presentations on services and addiction to community organizations as requested.
• Provide motivational interview sessions as needed for pre-admission services.
• Provide quality case management documenting all service coordination activities as required in order to place client in treatment services.
• Maintain professional attitude and behavior; follows Code of Ethics for LCDCs
• Clinically supervise Counselor Interns and Practicum Students as assigned.
• Ensure that all client records are behind locked doors and / or appropriate locked files.
• Ensure that intervention and recovery support services are offered to all people seeking services.
• Provide overdose prevention education, risk reduction education, and naloxone to all people seeking services.
• Participate in crisis rotation on the OSAR on-call hotline (Avail).
• Send reports to DFPS caseworkers, Probation and any other entity requiring a report with a signed consent for each agency.
• Scan all client screening documentation into appropriate folders with 24 hours of service.
• Monitor and document patient progress.
• Educate patients and families on effects of substance abuse.
• Act in accordance with ethical and professional standards.
• Facilitate educational and recreational activities.
• Maintain detailed records of patient care plans and progress.
• Provide coping strategies and relapse prevention plans.
• Monitor patient progress and adjust treatment plans as needed.
• Advocate for patient rights and coordinate discharge plans.
• Provide crisis intervention services.
• Provide individual, group and family counseling.
• Meet unit performance measures or targets.
• Maintain assigned caseload.
• Coordinate services to designated caseload.
• Enter accurate and appropriate documentation of services within timeframe required.
• Maintain confidentiality of sensitive records and treatment information, client files and protected health information in compliance with HIPAA, laws, rules and regulations, and established procedures.
• Maintain regular and reliable physical on-site attendance. Regular attendance, dependability, and promptness are required for the scheduled work day 100% of the time, to ensure consistency and completeness of program's processes.
• Comply with the Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation policy and reporting requirements.
• Adhere to the Code of Conduct and Standards of Behavior policy requirements.
• Establish and maintain effective work relationships with individuals served and their families, supervisors, co-workers and visitors by demonstrating cooperative, courteous and respectful behavior at all times.
• Communicate regularly with supervisor.
• Open and process mail / email in a timely manner.
• Answer , collect messages and respond to requests timely and accurately.
• Maintain safe and clean working environment by complying with procedures, rules and regulations.
• Perform all work functions and interactions using a trauma informed approach.
• Display professionalism when representing PermiaCare and the program in the community.
• Maintain compliance with legal requirements and company policies and procedures.
• Maintain valid and current driver's license, auto insurance, acceptable driving record and reliable transportation at all times.

Driving may be required for this position.

• Complete all training as assigned prior to due date.
• Other duties as assigned.

MARGINAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES (these duties are not designated as essential for the purposes of ADA; they are still required duties) :

• Fill in for other SUD staff as needed.
• Provides training to Counselor Interns.
• Assists with maintaining cleanliness of job sites.
• Provide translation, if applicable.
• Participate in team meeting or staffings.
• Participate in community activities and / or attends community meetings as needed.
• Participate in workgroups and committees as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND COMPETENCIES :

• Ability to recognize signs of alcohol or drug intoxication and have knowledge of withdrawal signs and symptoms.
• Ability communicate with client and treatment providers effectively and coordinate with staff, community service agencies and law enforcement officials.
• Ability to remain emotionally engaged and supportive.
• Knowledge of community resources.
• Understanding of evidence based therapies and interventions.
• Understanding of 12 step recovery process.
• Knowledge of applicable local, state, and federal regulations and rules.
• Ability to handle high stress situations in a professional manner.
• Knowledge of HIPAA and ability to protect confidentiality.
• Effective multi-tasking skills.
• Good organizational skills.
• Welcoming, positive behavior.
• Ability to express self clearly and effectively, orally and in writing.
• Effective time management skills.
• Exceptional customer service skills, including positive attitude.
• Cultural sensitivity.
• Dependable attendance and punctuality.
• Knowledge of trauma informed theories, principles and practices.
• Flexibility and adaptability to different work environments.
• Excellent computer skills, including Word, Excel, Outlook, and Electronic Health Records (EHR).
• Reading and comprehending.
• Reasoning and analyzing.
• Ability to coordinate with various inter-agency personnel.
• Ability to fulfill PMAB and CPR / First Aid requirements.
• Ability to work independently.
• Good interpersonal skills, including ability to build rapport with individuals including co-workers.
• Ability to display comfort in interacting with individuals of diverse cultural, ethnic and economic backgrounds and with social service, healthcare, educational and criminal justice organizations, as needed.
• Ability to acquire and utilize new skills as the job requires.
• Ability to work cooperatively and productively with supervisor, individuals, co-workers, and groups of persons at all levels of activity, contributing to a spirit of teamwork.
• Ability to maintain highly confidential information.
• Ability to remain calm in stressful situations.
• Ability to plan and schedule work and implement directives without constant supervision.
• Model professionalism by appropriate dress, language, ethics and work habits.
• Ability to drive personal and / or company vehicle. This position may require travel to agency program sites, community and residential sites, and / or locations outside the PermiaCare catchment area.

This position may require transport of agency individuals and / or individuals served.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS :

Abilities Required :

• Heavy Lifting, 15 lbs & over
• Heavy Carrying, 15 lbs & over
• Straight Pulling
• Walking
• Standing
• Sitting
• Operating office equipment
• Operating motor vehicle
• Ability to see
• Identify colors
• Hearing (with aid)
• Ability to write
• Ability to count
• Ability to read
• Ability to tell time

Other (specify) : driving required. May require some travel after hours and overnight.

WORKSITE CONDITIONS :

• Travel
• Inside
• Working closely with others
• Working alone

ADA Statement : Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

EEO Statement : PermiaCare is committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, ethnicity, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by state or federal law.

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive list of duties, activities or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job.

Duties, activities and responsibilities may change or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice. This job description does not constitute an employment contract with PermiaCare.

Employment is at-will.

PM22

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