Substance Abuse Therapist

Purpose:

The primary purpose of the Counselor is to maintain patient care within the

Center by providing counseling services within the parameters of policy, state, and

federal regulations and procedures. The Therapist is an essential part of creating a

safe and well-balanced environment for ReVIDA’s patients. Counselors will continue

ReVIDA’s mission by treating the whole person and standing by our values.

The position creates an atmosphere of warmth, personal interest, positive emphasis,

and a calm attitude when visiting with staff, patients, and visitors.

Duties:

The Substance Abuse Therapist will work effectively within a multidisciplinary treatment team,

assist in complex problem solving with patients and work autonomously. They will

demonstrate excellent observation, good judgment, and communication skills. Must

have the ability to provide well-written documentation promptly. They are skilled in

conducting assessments, utilizing ASAM criteria for appropriate patient placement

and continued to stay justification, treatment plan development and implementation,

service coordination, and crisis intervention. Knowledge of local community drug

trends, the effects on the body and cognitive functioning of drugs of abuse, signs,

and symptoms of opioid overdose, psychosocial implications of substance use

disorders, the process of addiction and treatment, social service, economic, legal, and

medical systems, HIV transmission-health, behavioral, and emotional implications of

addiction.

Physical, Emotional Demands, and Work Conditions:

• Work is sedentary and ambulant with occasional physical exertion (lifting 30 or more pounds, walking, standing, etc.) ability to support patient weight in case of emergency or disability requiring assistance. Must be able to see, stoop, sit, stand, bend, reach, and be mobile (whether natural or with accommodation).
• Quality of hearing (whether natural or with accommodation) must be acceptable. Must be able to communicate both verbally and in writing. Must be able to relate to and work with mentally and physically ill, disabled, emotionally upset, and hostile patients. Must be emotionally stable and exhibit the ability to display coping skills to deal with multiple situations.
• Risk of exposure to infections, bloodborne pathogens, and other potentially infectious materials or contagious diseases. For this reason, "Universal Precautions" must always be followed. The Counselor should understand, support, and comply with the established workplace violence, ADA, EEOC, and Corporate Compliance program and commit to worker safety, health, and patient safety. Subject to work schedule and shift changes.

Supervision/Competency Evaluations:

• Supervision and competency evaluations are provided through facility monitoring activities, direct observation, staff meetings, in-services, management meetings, individual meetings, Employee Improvement Process, reporting, interactions, strategic planning, outcomes, and annual competency review.

Competencies:

• Prepare and maintain accurate and timely patient files. Coordinate care of assigned patients and present patient status and concerns with the treatment team accordingly.
• Conducts comprehensive patient assessments and develops and implements patient treatment plans according to State OBOT regulations, CARF standards, and State Medicaid rules.
• Provide clinical services, patient care, education, and opioid use disorder counseling services to patients receiving medications for opioid use disorder as part of a larger, comprehensive treatment plan.
• Conduct individual counseling sessions. Provide patient advocacy and liaison services with community and regulatory agencies as needed and work with ReVIDA Care Coordinators to achieve these services. (State Opioid Treatment Authority, Probation / Parole Office, housing, food, etc.)
• Monitor the patient's condition to evaluate the treatment plan's success and adapt treatment as needed. Assist in program evaluation efforts that describe and assess the quality of services. Comply with all Federal and State regulatory standards as specified. Use toxicology test results to monitor the success of treatment and as a clinical tool to help better meet patient needs and assess for an increased level of care (decreased program attendance); Never use toxicology test results in a punitive way.
• File various patient paperwork into the chart and keep the patient’s electronic chart complete and updated. Coordinates with medical professionals to facilitate intake and ongoing assessment amongst the larger multidisciplinary team.
• Document patient progress notes and ensures that frequencies and counseling units are met per company policy. Obtains ongoing, applicable supervision by licensed professionals who have approved supervisors in the employee’s profession. Ability to handle stressful situations and interact with others.
• Must be present during working hours at the office for in-person meetings and access to a computer without violating company policy. Conduct patient intake and orient patients to the program.
• Compose an interpretative summary, transition plan, and discharge summary for each patient. Provide crisis intervention as needed. Attend staff meetings as directed by the RCD, CCO, and the individual Program Director. Assist in program development activities. Participate in counseling supervision sessions.
• Support organizational and departmental philosophies, goals, and objectives and, through own behavior, lead and motivate others to do so. Communicate with RCD regarding pertinent patient information. Regular attendance is to be maintained.
• Adherence to ReVIDA Recovery’s company code of conduct is always expected. Meet or exceed delivery of Company Service Standards consistently. Interact with all staff in a positive and motivational fashion, supporting the Company’s mission, consistent with ReVIDA’s vision and values.
• Conduct all business activities professionally and ethically. Other duties, as assigned by the Regional Clinical Director or Chief Clinical Officer. Adherence to the NAADAC Code of Ethics and any other Codes of Ethics for the individual’s respective field.

Requirements:

• Education: Master of Social Work, Professional Counseling, or related field without licensure who are working toward licensure (TN and VA), LMSW (TN only),MSW with LSW (VA only), LPC without MHSP (TN only), or LMFT (TN only).
• Experience: Have experience working with individuals with substance use and other co-occurring mental and substance use disorders.
• License/certifications: Master of Social Work, Professional Counseling, or related field without licensure who are working toward licensure (TN and VA), LMSW (TN only),MSW with LSW (VA only), LPC without MHSP (TN only), LMFT (TN only). Must have or obtain current certification in CPR and First Aid.

Special Requirements: Required/Maintained state trainee status, intern,

registration, training standing, and associate level clinical licensure. Knowledge of

applicable State Code of Regulations and 42 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR)

Section 8.12. Compliance with accepted professional standards and practices;

Adherence to the NAADAC Code of Ethics and any other Codes of Ethics for the

individual’s respective field.

Continuing Education & Professional Licensing/Certification Requirements:

Employee is expected to participate in appropriate continuing education as may be

requested and required by their immediate supervisor. In addition, the employee is

expected to accept personal responsibility for other educational activities to enhance

job-related skills and abilities. The employee must attend mandatory educational

programs and maintain current professional certifications as delineated above in their

state, in good standing.

While this job description is intended to reflect the job requirements,

management reserves the right to add or remove duties from jobs when

circumstances (e.g., emergencies, changes in workload, rush jobs, or

technological developments) dictate. Furthermore, they do not establish an

employment contract and are subject to change at the employer’s discretion.