Addiction Recovery Counselor

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Addiction Recovery Counselor is responsible for performing comprehensive patient evaluations, implementing therapeutic strategies, developing tailored treatment plans, providing educational resources to patients, and facilitating necessary referrals.

Key Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

1. Core Competencies

• Uphold the standards of professional conduct, ethical guidelines, and relevant legal requirements.
• Possess knowledge of Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) care standards and regulations.
• Function in accordance with organizational privileges.

1. Client Assessment and Screening

• Evaluate and assess clients to identify the severity and scope of their substance use issues.
• Inform clients and their families about the implications of substance use, recovery processes, and available support systems.
• Provide crisis intervention and support during challenging times or relapses.
• Guide patients through treatment options and methods to ensure clarity during the intake process.
• Collaborate with other professionals to develop treatment strategies and assess the appropriateness of counseling services or referrals to alternative treatment facilities.

1. Counseling and Treatment Planning

• Create individualized treatment plans for clients, tailored to their unique needs and objectives.
• Conduct one-on-one counseling sessions to assist clients in understanding the underlying causes of their addiction, devising strategies to manage triggers, and enhancing resilience.
• Lead group therapy sessions to promote peer support and provide a secure environment for clients to share their experiences.
• Work alongside other healthcare professionals, including physicians and psychiatrists, to ensure comprehensive care for clients with concurrent mental health disorders.
• Monitor and evaluate clients' progress throughout their treatment journey, making adjustments to treatment plans as needed.

1. Documentation and Professional Development

• Maintain precise and confidential client records, documenting all counseling sessions and treatment interventions.
• Stay informed about the latest research, best practices, and treatment modalities in the field of addiction counseling.
• Keep records for health insurance and patient tracking, along with personal files for use during patient interactions and treatment planning.

Educational Requirements:

• Active LCSW with the Louisiana State Board of Social Work Examiners or LPC with the Licensed Professional Counselors Board of Examiners is mandatory.
• A Master's degree in social work or counseling is required.

Skills and Knowledge Requirements:

• At least one (1) year of paid post-degree experience in clinical settings providing mental health and substance use disorder services is preferred.
• Familiarity with evidence-based practices, including trauma-informed care frameworks.
• Experience working with co-occurring disorders (mental health and substance use) is preferred.
• BLS certification for healthcare providers is required.

Physical Requirements:

The physical demands outlined here are representative of those that must be met by the employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this role. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

• While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to stand, sit, talk, hear, and use hands and fingers to operate a computer and telephone keyboard.
• Specific vision abilities required by this role include close vision due to computer work.
• Light to moderate lifting may be necessary.

Work Environment:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those the employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this role. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

• Moderate noise levels (i.e., business office with computers, phones, and printers).
• Ability to work in a confined area.
• Ability to sit at a computer terminal for extended periods.

Travel Requirements:

Travel during work hours, including local or out-of-state travel, may be necessary to fulfill job responsibilities.