Substance Use Disorder Counselor (bilingual)

The Mission Neighborhood Health Center (MNHC) is a non-profit, multi-site community health organization offering comprehensive health services in the Mission and Excelsior Districts of San Francisco.

The center offers primary health care services, adult medicine, pediatrics, family planning, OB / GYN, HIV and homeless services.

We advocate for health equity and deliver innovative, high-quality services responsive to the neighborhoods and diverse communities we serve with a focus on the Latino Spanish-Speaking Communities.

We are currently looking for qualified candidates for our Substance Use Disorder Counselor role. This position reports to the Director of Behavioral Health / Interim Leader and is a Regular, Full Time, Non-Exempt role with a starting hourly range of $37.

74 to $40.58 with full benefits.

While professional experience and qualifications are key for this role, make sure to check you have the preferable soft skills before applying if required.

Primary Objective :

In conjunction with a multidisciplinary team of medical and mental health professionals, the Substance Use Disorder Counselor will provide outreach, referrals, and crisis counseling with a focus on providing critical counseling addressing the opioid and stimulant epidemics and other illicit drugs that impact the center population entering the center for service.

Provides clinical consultation to referrals, supporting the primary clinic and behavioral staff to address the need for treatment.

Essential Functions / Responsibilities :

• Perform screening of MNHC patients for drug misuse using the Drug Abuse Screen Test (DAST-10) tool embedded in the electronic health record.
• Utilize a participant-centered, harm reduction model of services as well as abstinence and client-centered models in counseling sessions.
• Model and support health and wellness activities and healthy coping skills for patients.
• Provide group interventions (support groups) to patients, in collaboration with other behavioral health clinicians.
• Maintain accurate documentation for SUD services and activities, as required by Health Center Program (Compliance Manual).
• Regularly review patient records and monitor plans and activities of patients with follow-up contact in-person or via phone.
• Actively participate in peer review activities with other SUD counselors and behavioral health clinicians.
• Collect information from collateral resources to aid in determining diagnosis and need for treatment.
• Perform individual comprehensive assessments to referrals resources that can complement treatment for MNHC patients diagnosed with substance use disorders (SUD).
• Based on assessment, make referrals to the most appropriate programs in an effort to help health center patients access the right level of care to best meet their treatment needs.
• Monitor patient access to and involvement with treatment and other providers to help address barriers to treatment and the recovery process;

follow up with patients within seven days of referral to assess process and patient satisfaction within adjusting to the program.

• Maintain working knowledge of drug and alcohol treatment agencies and programs and a list of resources that can be shared with patients and supporting staff in the center.
• Provide warm hand off to connect patients with MNHC programs and medical services and to access the San Francisco medical and behavioral health system programs as needed.
• Create a hospitable environment and provide services to patients with the utmost dignity and respect.
• Attend relevant meetings, including clinical care coordination meetings, staff meetings, and other meetings that are needed to support the program and patients receiving SUD services.
• Recommend a course of action and provide screening, support, and referral in collaboration with case management, primary care clinic staff and behavioral staff.
• Other duties as assigned or required.

Qualifications

Education

• BA in Social Sciences or related field, past experience working with young adults and dually and triple-diagnosed individuals desired.
• AA in Social Science or related field and past experience working with adults and dually and triple-diagnosed individuals required.
• Must have a current certificate in any of the following : 1) Addiction Treatment Counselor Certified (CATC), 2) California Association for Alcohol and Drug Educators Certified (CAADE), 3) California Association of DUI Treatment Programs Certified (CADTP) or 4) California Consortium of Addiction Programs and Professionals Certified (CCAPP).

Language

Bilingual in Spanish and English required.

Experience

• Must be willing to provide support, advocacy and develop relationships following harm reduction principles with a very diverse population, including Spanish speaking immigrants, day laborers, women, LGBTQ, African Americans, active drug users and people with mental illness and other disabilities.
• Ability to work with de-escalation techniques, conflict resolution and emergency response.
• Must have excellent communication skills.

Confidential & Sensitive Information

Candidates must have good working knowledge of and a sensitivity to individuals with substance abuse and / or mental health issues such as : PTSD, psychosis, borderline behaviors, bi-polar, etc.

working knowledge of crisis intervention techniques and ability to implement them; and strong knowledge of social services and mental health resources for low-income adults.

• Must have excellent charting, record-keeping skills and assist in the development of a community resource list / file.
• Must maintain professional respectful, honest interactions with participants, staff and outside agencies.
• Must be able to work as part of a multi-disciplinary team, be sensitive to a diverse participant and staff population.

To learn more about our organization, please visit our website at www.mnhc.org. We offer a full range of benefits which includes the following :

• Medical Insurance MNHC pays 90-100% based on plan
• Dental and Vision Insurance free to employee
• Life Insurance free basic policy plus voluntary option
• Flexible Spending Accounts for health & dependent care expenses
• Commuter benefits for public transportation expenses
• Vacation 2 weeks (3 weeks after 5 yrs; 4 weeks after 8 yrs)
• 12 Paid Holidays plus your birthday and 12 Sick Days each year
• 40 hours Paid Educational Leave
• 401k Retirement Savings Plan with Company Contribution

Mission Neighborhood Health Center is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer committed to fostering an inclusive environment for our diverse workforce.

We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, reproductive health decisions, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, genetic information, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider employment for qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

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