SUBSTANCE ABUSE COUNSELOR II-HSOM PSYCH

University of Alabama at Birmingham

The counselor facilitates evidence-based substance abuse/mental health screenings to determine the need for treatment services using a state-certified treatment placement assessment that addresses both SA and MH needs.

General Responsibilities

• Under general supervision, provides clinical assessment, counseling, drug education, and case management for substance abuse clients in accordance with government and department standards.

• Provides general orientation and supervision for Substance Abuse Counselor I’s as needed.

• Responds to the unique needs of neonatal, pediatric, adolescent and geriatric patients as the need arises.

Key Duties & Responsibilities

• Provides psychosocial clinical assessments and develops individualized treatment plans. Determines patient eligibility for treatment. Conducts accurate and professional intake interviews, securing family, social, medical, and drug histories, leading to a DSM II R diagnostic impression. Administers and accurately standardizes tests. Develops appropriate individualized treatment plans using problem-oriented concept. Updates plans regularly as indicated by client progress or lack of progress.

• Provides counseling and drug education to substance abuse clients in accordance with government and department standards. Establishes rapport with clients, motivating them to change. Provides assigned levels/units of counseling to clients, individually and in groups, maintaining a therapeutic, accepting, and professional relationship. Conducts family substance abuse education and counseling sessions as assigned, demonstrating knowledge of chemical dependency. Introduces clients to Twelve Step Programs.

• Explains concepts of addiction and provides specific relapse prevention strategies. Effectively orients new clients and families of new clients to the program, answering questions relating to substance abuse and dependency. Provides professional and prompt case consultation as requested or directed by supervisor.

• Conducts accurate and professional interviews to secure family, social, medical, and drug histories; involves the parents or guardians of clients as appropriate. Develops appropriate individualized treatment plans using the problem-oriented concept. Updates plans regularly as old problems are resolved and new ones are identified. Provides individualized, continuing care plan, ensuring retention in treatment. Refers health and social services needs of clients to appropriate resources as needed, and as appropriate within the treatment plan.

• Maintains appropriate records and files and completes necessary forms and paperwork in accordance with government and department standards. Collects and analyzes data and prepares a variety of special and recurring analyses and reports. Completes intake forms, progress notes, monthly reports, and 90-day evaluations by established deadlines. Updates treatment plans routinely. Tracks client’s treatment progress. Records urinalysis test results and follows up with reporting procedures to appropriate personnel. Monitors random urinalysis testing, changes schedule as needed, and arranges for equitable payment plans.

• Attends and participates in various committee/department meetings and other related conferences. May host educational awareness groups as needed. Assumes responsibility for keeping abreast of changing treatment strategies, trends, and therapeutic techniques in the substance abuse field. Reads appropriate publications and attends and participates in continuing education workshops, conferences, or seminars. Participates in in-service training. Attends mental health and other outside meetings as required. Participates in weekly team meetings to discuss client treatment plans.

• Serves as liaison with other agencies/organizations and provides information regarding various programs and services. Makes contact and maintains good relationships with other organizations such as Vocational Rehabilitation Services, the Department of Hough Services, Criminal Justice System Agencies, and other organizations as appropriate. Responds to other agencies regarding this program and utilizes appropriate referral mechanisms. Appears in court with clients, prepares timely reports for judges, probation officers, district attorneys, and other officials in the Criminal Justice System. Demonstrates knowledge of state and community resources and utilizes them appropriately.

• Provides crisis intervention as required. Obtains pre-assessment information and urinalysis on all clients referred by judges and probation officers. Effectively addresses client problems that may arise when primary counselor is unavailable for consultation; provides appropriate crisis intervention.

• Provides case management for patients on Methadone maintenance. Evaluates patients for dose increases or decreases based on clinic impressions and program rules. Appropriately determines patient eligibility for take-home status. Arranges for traveling patients to receive doses at clinics in other cities. Confronts patients when unauthorized drugs are used and determines appropriate consequences.

• Reviews and approves treatment plans developed by Substance Abuse Counselor I’s and provides general supervision as required. Provides orientation and supervision of Counselor I’s as assigned by the supervisor. Reviews and approves treatment plans developed by Counselor I’s as necessary or as directed by the supervisor. Assumes program management duties in the absence of the supervisor. Provides case consultation as needed.

• Performs other duties as assigned.

Additional Duties

• Facilitates evidence-based substance use and mental health screenings utilizing a state-certified treatment placement assessment.

• Obtains and maintains all required consent and release-of-information documentation.

• Provides Intensive Outpatient Treatment (Level 2.1) and Outpatient Treatment (Level 1.0) services to adolescent clients, including group counseling, treatment planning, and individual counseling.

• Collaborates with community partners and participates in multidisciplinary staffing meetings to coordinate patient care.

Preferred

• Master’s in counseling and social work

• Experience commensurate with licensure requirements

• Knowledge of the use of substance and mental health disorders, to include diagnosis/treatment standards.

• Knowledge of community substance use/mental health treatment resources.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills

• Interpersonal skills

• Active listener

• Service oriented

• Conflict resolution skills

• Ability to manage multiple priorities

• Proficient with Microsoft Word and Excel software applications

MVR NEEDED

Salary Range: $52,555 - $85,400

Education

• Master’s degree in counseling, Mental Health, Social Work or related Human Services field.

• Work experience may NOT substitute for education requirements.

Licenses / Certifications / Registrations

Must obtain one of the following licensures within thirty (30) months of eligibility with DMH:

a) Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) by the Alabama Board of Examiners in Counseling (ABEC)

b) Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) by the Alabama State Board of Social Work Examiners

c) Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) by the Alabama Board of Examiners in Marriage and Family Therapy

d) Licensed Masters Social Worker (LMSW) by the Alabama State Board of Social Work

e) Associate Licensed Counselor (ALC) by the Alabama Board of Examiners in Counseling (ABEC)

f) Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (ADC) by Alabama Association of Addiction Counselors Certification Board Examiners.

UAB is an Equal Employment/Equal Educational Opportunity Institution dedicated to providing equal opportunities and equal access to all individuals regardless of race, color, religion, ethnic or national origin, sex (including pregnancy), genetic information, age, disability, and veteran's status. As required by Title IX, UAB prohibits sex discrimination in any education program or activity that it operates. Individuals may report concerns or questions to UAB's Assistant Vice President and Senior Title IX Coordinator. The Title IX notice of nondiscrimination is located at uab.edu/titleix.