Substance Use Counselor - ACT

Location: Mt. Vernon, NY

Hours: M-F 9 am to 5 pm (35 hours weekly)

Rate of pay: $28.50 (CASAC-T) or $30.50 (CASAC)

Drivers license required.

OVERVIEW OF PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITES:

The Substance Use Counselor will provide substance use counseling, education, and support to individuals living with co-occurring mental health and substance use challenges. This position maintains a caseload, delivers individual and group counseling, participates in treatment planning, and coordinates care with the interdisciplinary team and other community partners and resources. The counselor will utilize a harm reduction approach to support program participants in working toward their self-identified recovery and life goals.

Assertive Community Treatment (ACT), is an evidenced-based practice that uses a person-centered and recovery-based approach to offer treatment, rehabilitation, and support services to individuals that have been diagnosed with serious mental illness (SMI). Typically, individuals served by ACT have a treatment history that includes multiple psychiatric hospitalizations, risk of harm to self or others, and lack of success in traditional outpatient services. Many of these individuals are also living with co-occurring substance use disorders, and ACT utilizes a harm reduction approach to support them in reaching their self-identified recovery goals.

ACT services are provided by a mobile, multi-disciplinary team who meet at the program participant’s residence and in mutually agreed upon settings in the community where the participant feels comfortable. ACT supports recovery through a highly individualized approach that provides participants with the tools to obtain and maintain housing, employment, relationships, wellness, and relief from symptoms and medication side effects. The nature and intensity of ACT services are developed through the person-centered service planning process and adjusted through the process of daily team meetings and frequent contacts with participants and their collaterals.

The goal of ACT services is to assist individuals to achieve their personally meaningful goals and life roles. ACT integrates the principles of trauma-informed care and cultural competence, addressing the impact of discrimination/stigma, and inter-system collaboration into its service philosophy.

PRIMARY FUNCTIONS:

Maintain a caseload of 12-15 participants and provide case management services. This can fluctuate based on staffing and other team needs.

Perform intake interviews and evaluate appropriateness for treatment.

Complete bio-psycho-social assessments and treatment plans, and other required reporting (e.g. AOT, CAIRS) within required timeframes.

Establish collaborative, supportive relationships with participants to promote engagement in recovery and work toward life-goals.

Utilize trauma-informed and evidence-based approaches to provide individual, group, and family counseling as indicated by treatment plan.

Provide psychoeducation around substance use, co-occurring disorders, recovery, and relapse prevention strategies.

Complete timely and accurate progress notes for all participant and collateral contacts in compliance with all relevant regulations, laws, and agency policies and protocols.

Complete discharge summaries and documentation in accordance with agency policy and regulatory standards.

Attend and actively participate in interdisciplinary team meetings.

Make appropriate referrals to outside providers and community resources as needed.

Provide crisis intervention and support during emergencies. Participate in on-call rotation.

ADDITIONAL FUNCTIONAL / ORGANIZATIONAL SUPPORT:

Stay current on agency and clinic policies, as well as State and Federal requirements related to substance use services.

Participate in individual and group supervision as scheduled.

Respect and support interdisciplinary team decisions regarding patient care.

Participate in staff training and professional development activities.

Perform additional duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS AND ATTRIBUTES:

Current CASAC or CASAC-T credential required.

Ability to work independently while functioning as part of an interdisciplinary team.

Strong skills in boundary-setting, limit-setting, and crisis management.

Excellent communication, writing, and organizational skills.

Knowledge of co-occurring disorders, evidence-based practices, and recovery supports.

Ability to use electronic health record systems for documentation and other electronic systems for communication (e.g. email, Teams, Zoom, etc.)

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Bachelors degree or Associates degree with experience.

CASAC or CASAC-T credential required.

Prior experience providing substance use counseling preferred, ideally in community-based or mental health settings.

Valid NYS driver’s license required.

Bilingual Spanish, Haitian Creole, or Yiddish speaking a plus.

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS:

These physical demands are representative of the physical requirements necessary for an employee to perform the job's essential functions successfully.

Must be able to move throughout the workday and accompany individuals served in the community.

Ability to sit or stand for long periods while using a computer.

Able to work in an open-space office setting in close proximity to co-workers (within 3 feet).

Must be able to move in tight spaces as needed.

Occasional lifting of more than 5 lbs. (e.g., carrying backpack with laptop and materials).

Able to work in open space floor plan

Must be capable to move throughout work day