Certified Substance Abuse Counselor

Job Purpose:
 
A Certified Substance Abuse Counselor (CSAC) in Liliʻuokalani Trust, specifically at Lydia House, assesses, treats, and supports individuals with addiction, developing personalized plans for recovery through individual/group therapy, education, and linking clients to resources like housing/jobs, while also counseling families and maintaining records, often collaborating with multidisciplinary teams in community settings. They handle crisis intervention, prevention, and aftercare, ensuring holistic support within the broader social services framework.
Lydia House provides support for opportunity youth aged 16 to 26. This role assists in creating and carrying out programs related to transitional support, independent living skills, and career pathway development. Central to these efforts are college, career, and community readiness initiatives, which play a vital role in helping Native Hawaiian youth move from adolescence to adulthood and achieve economic independence.
 
Essential Responsibilities:
 
The Certified Substance Abuse Counselor is dedicated to promoting the holistic well-being of youth, addressing not only their struggles with addiction but also the daily challenges they face. This role provides ongoing support to help youth successfully navigate the process of achieving and maintaining sobriety. Through close collaboration with other staff members, the counselor ensures that approaches and interventions are coordinated and effective, providing comprehensive support tailored to each individual's needs.
 
Certified Substance Abuse Counselor Overview:

Assessment & Planning: The counselor evaluates each client's mental and physical health, determines the severity of their addiction, and assesses their readiness to begin treatment. Based on these evaluations, individualized recovery plans are created and modified as needed to best support the client's journey to sobriety.
Counseling & Therapy: This role involves providing therapy in various formats, including individual, family, and group sessions. The counselor teaches crucial coping mechanisms, helps clients develop strategies for relapse prevention, and imparts life skills necessary for independent living and long-term recovery.
Case Management: Certified Substance Abuse Counselors coordinate care with social workers, medical professionals, and outside agencies. Manage case load of clients in varying stages of substance usage. They are responsible for managing and maintaining client records and advocating clients to ensure they receive appropriate and timely support.

Groups -Develop and guide evidence-based programs focused on substance use and anger management. Lead groups that provide education, prevention, treatment, and relapse prevention for both areas.

Crisis Intervention: In emergencies or particularly challenging situations, the counselor provides immediate support to clients, helping them navigate crises and stabilize their circumstances. Provide immediate support during emergencies or challenging situations.
Education: The counselor educates clients and their families about the nature of addiction and the recovery process. They also lead workshops to provide additional guidance and support on these topics.
Referrals & Resources: Connecting clients to community resources is an essential part of the counselor's duties. This includes facilitating access to housing, job placement services, and support groups that aid in the recovery process.
Documentation: Maintaining accurate and confidential records of client progress is a key responsibility. The counselor ensures that all notes and reports are up to date and comply with required standards of confidentiality and professionalism.

Other duties:

Contribute to the Trust's success by accepting new assignments, helping team members, learning new skills, and striving to improve team and organization results.

Qualifications:
 
Preferred education and experience:

State certification/licensure (CSAC/CAC).
Master's degree in social work, psychology or related social service degree.
Experience in substance abuse treatment/rehabilitation.
Knowledge of evidence-based practices. 
Experience supporting young adults involved in child welfare, judicial, mental health, and homeless systems.
Ability to work with a wide range of diverse constituents, including teammates, families and community members, communicating respectfully and effectively with each individual and group.
Possess the cultural knowledge and skills to work respectfully and effectively in a Hawaiian-serving organization and with local communities.
Assist with budget planning and monitoring.

Job Competencies:

Tolerance for ambiguity, emergence, and divergent work.
Systems thinking, critical thinking skills, design thinking, and creative problem solving.
Proficient in all phases of the program design process to include but not limited to:

Expertise in or ability to quickly acquire necessary level of knowledge about the needs, or programs and services to be developed.
Excellent oral, written, and visual communication skills.

Understanding of adult learners and coaching strategies.

Organization Competencies:

Alignment with Queen's legacy:  Understanding and appreciation of Queen Liliʻuokalani's story, her legacy and the Hawaiian Culture is foundational to staff's commitment to working with our Hawaiian children, families and communities. Demonstrates respect for and appreciation of Hawaiian values history, and culture, understanding its implication in one's work, in fostering meaningful relationships, and in embracing the community served.

Hoʻomau i ka ʻImi Naʻauao (Continuous Learning and Improvement): Committed to creating and reinforcing an environment of continuous learning and improvement. 
Hoʻike i na Manaʻo Pono (Effective Communication): ommunicates with those we serve and each other in a consistent manner that results in mutual understanding, harmony, and action.   

Noʻonoʻo loi (Critical Thinking and Problem Solving): Actively and skillfully understands, conceptualizes, applies, analyzes, synthesizes, and/or evaluates information and develops and supports fact-based analyses and recommendations

Hoʻo kumu aʻe  or ʻImi hakuhia (Innovation):  Identifies and integrates creative ideas into new or existing services and promotes effective problem-solving.
Pilina Hoʻohana a me ka Hana Hilinaʻi (Building Relationships and Creating Trust):  Manages relationships to create optimal opportunities and move the organization forward.

Alu Like i ka Hana (Teamwork): Works cooperatively and collaboratively with others throughout the organization in alignment with the organization's objectives.
Hoʻonui i ka ʻIke (Capacity Building): Encourages personal growth by exhibiting trust and a belief in the capacity of others.

Mental and Physical Demands:

Ability to lift 25lbs pounds. Requires frequent sitting, bending, and standing.

Terms and Conditions of Employment:
 
As a condition of employment, employee will be subject to LT's policies and procedures.
 
Job Title: Certified Substance Abuse Counselor
FLSA Status: Exempt
Kīpuka: Lydia House
Reports to: Clinical Director, Lydia House
Aligned Executive: Interim President and Chief Executive Officer
Department: Lydia House Programs
 
 

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