Position Details

Substance Use Disorder Counselor - Forensic Programs

Department: Substance Use Disorder and Forensic Services

Reports to: Substance Use Disorder Program Supervisor

Pay Range: $26 to $35 per hour (DOE/DOQ) plus $3,000 signing bonus

Hours per Week: 40 hours

Workdays: Monday to Friday 8-5

Benefits:

  • Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance
  • Vacation, Sick Leave, Float Days & Paid Holidays
  • 403(b) Retirement Plan
  • Life Insurance
  • Long Term Disability
  • Wellness Program
  • Employee Assistance Program
  • LifeFlight Membership
  • Education Allowance


JOB PURPOSE:   Provides a range of substance use disorders and co-occurring disorders treatment at Peninsula Behavioral Health, working within a multi-disciplinary team. This SUDP will also work with our Forensics team, providing SUD appropriate assessments and referrals as part of their essential responsibilities. As part of Washington State's response to the Trueblood settlement, which addresses delays in providing competency evaluation and restoration services to individuals involved in the criminal legal system, the Forensic Program plays a key role in providing a number of community-based outreach and other supportive services to assist with bridging gaps and improve participant outcomes.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Provides clinically appropriate outpatient treatment services, including but not limited to:

        ·  evaluation and referral (in office and in the field)

        ·  group and individual counseling.

        ·  development and review of treatment plans

        ·  case management as appropriate

        ·  coordination of services

        ·  client and family education

  • Works with the client and the treatment team to determine an appropriate course of treatment to meet the participant's goals and the expected outcomes.
  • Refer clients to appropriate support services and to other levels of care when needed.
  • Document case notes, treatment plans, evaluations, and all other required paperwork in a timely fashion according to policy and procedure. Maintains a client registry and other documentation as required. Submits required reports and completes all documentation per contract requirements.
  • Maintain all participant records in accordance with agency and State of Washington Department of Alcohol and Drug Programs policies and standards.
  • Advocates for clients with community agencies. This may include scheduling appointments, following up on missed appointments, medication diversion control and making referrals. Maintains strong community partner relations.
  • Teaches skills such as problem solving, goal setting, money management, symptom management, communication, social skills, relapse prevention and how to access community resources. Assists clients in the development of natural support systems.
  • Communicates with medical and other community providers to coordinate care.
  • Provides supportive counseling and psychoeducational services to encourage a recovery-oriented lifestyle.
  • Maintains familiarity with client information in accordance with Federal Regulations (42 CFR, Part 2), the Revised Code of Washington (RCW 71.05.390 and RCW 71.24), and other applicable laws pertaining to confidentiality of client and staff information.
  • Maintains familiarity and compliance with WAC 246-341-0300 through WAC 246-341-0650, as well as WAC 246-811.
  • Maintains physical security of confidential materials and assigned Agency property.

SECONDARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Performs relevant clinical and administrative tasks according to agency policies.
  • Demonstrates proficiency in utilization of the PBH electronic medical record system and the federal HMIS data system.
  • Participates in team meetings and program development.
  • Provides information and education to community members.
  • Maintains high standards of professional conduct in interaction with clients, staff, and other community members.
  • Demonstrates cultural competency skills.
  • Maintains professional competence through a program of professional development and in-service training.
  • Demonstrates flexibility in adapting to changing work demands.
  • Performs other duties as assigned or requested.

PERFORMANCE EXPECTATIONS:

  • Maintains accurate and timely chart information in compliance with State, funding source, and agency quality assurance guidelines.
  • Meet agency productivity expectations of 50% on a consistent basis.
  • Meet agency expectations for documentation of services.
  • Meets all contract obligations.
  • Coordinate and prioritize work assignments so that tasks are completed on time and in a quality manner.
  • Able to acquire CEU's and general working knowledge of clinical treatment theories and techniques through ongoing training both in-house and as offered through approved training sources.

REQUIRED EDUCATION, LICENSE(S), CERTIFICATION, AND EXPERIENCE:

Education:   Associate Degree in Human Services, Addiction Studies, or other related field for SUDP or relevant degree requirement completions to have obtained SUDP

Licensure:    Substance Use Disorders Professional (SUDP) credential in Washington State

Experience:  One or more years working in a behavioral health setting or similar setting to gain experience helping individuals in a 1:1

Other:   Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license and an acceptable motor vehicle report and reliable, insured transportation

Additional agency requirements:  

  • Must be able to provide vaccination records for MMR, Hep B, Tdap and recent flu shot
  • Must be able to pass a pre-employment drug test and background check

PREFERRED ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCE:

  • Working with individuals with serious and persistent mental illness and substance use disorders.
  • Working with individuals who are involved with the criminal justice system.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

Essential:

  • Familiarity with treatment and behaviors associated with chemical detoxification.
  • Ability to multitask and effectively manage a caseload of individuals with diverse needs.
  • Ability to utilize Mini-Mental Status Examination and other measures to assess cognition and symptoms.
  • Provide biopsychosocial assessment to determine the level of care for CD or COD services.
  • Understanding of the impact of health-related problems on psychiatric illness and knowledge of medical issues that may mimic psychiatric symptoms in older adults.
  • Ability to educate clients about signs, symptoms, and recovery from substance use disorder and mental health.
  • Understanding of current knowledge on recovery.
  • Ability to coordinate care with multiple service providers.
  • Understanding of the Harm Reduction Model

NATURE AND SCOPE:

Physical Demands:

  • Moderate physical effort (lift/carry up to 25 lbs.)
  • Occasional standing/walking
  • Occasionally lifts supplies and equipment.
  • Must be able to operate a motor vehicle.
  • Must be able to tolerate sitting in a vehicle, office or community setting for the required number of hours in a workday.

Cognitive Skills:

  • Advanced verbal and written communication skills
  • Strong organizational skills
  • Excellent interpersonal skills
  • Must be able to enter data into a computerized electronic medical record.

Working Environment:

  • May be exposed to infections and contagious diseases.
  • Occasionally exposed to patients exhibiting assaultive behaviors
  • Ability to work in a jail setting and comply with jail regulations.
  • Occasionally exposed to patients exhibiting aggressive behaviors

Working Demands:

  • Frequent pressure due to schedule demands
  • Contact with patients under a wide variety of circumstances.
  • Subject to varying and unpredictable situations
  • Handles emergency or crisis situations.

Principal Challenges:

  • Working collaboratively with interdisciplinary staff
  • Working collaboratively with clients, jail staff and other community members
  • Ensuring compliance with agency and funding standard for documentation and delivery of services
  • Works with a wide variety of clients with serious, persistent mental illness and/or substance use disorder.


*Peninsula Behavioral Health does not discriminate because of a person's presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability, race, creed, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity including transgender status, marital status, pregnancy, childbirth, and pregnancy-related conditions, age (40), honorably discharged veteran or military status, or use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability, state employee or health care whistleblower status.