SUD Counselor - NCSH Residential

Job Overview

This is a union position.
 

North County Serenity House, A Program of HealthRIGHT 360 was founded in 1966 to provide substance use disorder services in the community. North County Serenity House provides a gender-responsive and trauma-informed environment, using evidence-based and best practices that recognize and account for the role that trauma frequently plays in substance use and criminal histories of women. For clients with co-occurring mental illness, we provide integrated substance use and mental health services which treat both conditions as primary. Our residential facility serves up to 120 women (with capacity for up to 20 children under 5 years of age) seeking recovery from substance use disorders.

SUD Counselors are responsible for assessing participant needs and strengths in support of health and recovery in a structured, safe and culturally sensitive setting. In conjunction with participant and the treatment team, the SUD Counselor assists participants in completing treatment plan goals through individual counseling that includes, but not limited to, substance abuse recovery skills, strategies for coping with trauma, parenting interventions, family relationship skill building, enhancement of educational skills, health awareness, vocational development, treatment planning and ongoing assessments, etc. based on participant need. SUD Counselors assist participants in navigating systems of care while providing a supportive treatment environment. 

Key Responsibilities

• Facilitates individual counseling sessions with each caseload participant and provides learning experience opportunities and offers clinical support to assist participants in meeting their treatment goals.
  
• Proactively links participants to both internal and external resources based on their treatment needs and follows up on the progress/status.
  
• Maintains a safe and gender responsive program environment.
  
• Facilitates individual counseling sessions and maintains appropriate and ethical boundaries with participants.
  
• Performs crisis intervention and communicates with treatment team as unforeseen situations arise.
  
• Documents participant updates and incidents in the facility log daily.
  
• Performs periodic house runs to ensure and maintain the safety and security of the facility.
  
• Collaborates with each caseload participant, treatment team and other available internal and external resources to develop/maintain treatment plans, transition plans, progress notes and appropriate updates in support of the health and recovery needs of the participant.
  
• Maintain documentation in compliance with agency, HIPAA, 42CFR, and funder standards.
  
• Properly documents all services provided and any other documentation needed in the participant record and ensures that the golden thread is documented throughout the chart.
  
• Work with treatment team to develop and assess effectiveness of individualized treatment plans and participant progress.
  
• Assist in ongoing maintenance of participants’ charts and other related documentation.
• Ensure that all clinical documentation is completed in a timely and accurate manner, and entered into the various electronic systems.

Education and Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Education Required:

• Drug and Alcohol registration or certification recognized by Department of Health Care Services (DHCS).
• High School diploma or equivalent.
• First Aid and CPR Certified within 30 days of employment.
• A valid California driver’s license and automobile insurance.
  

Desired:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology, Counseling or Social Services.
• Bilingual English & Spanish.

Skills and Abilities Required:

• Culturally competent and able to work with a diverse population.
• Strong proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, specifically Word Outlook and internet applications.
• Experience working successfully with issues of substance abuse, mental health, criminal background, and other potential barriers to economic self sufficiency.
  
• Ability to enter data into various electronic systems while maintaining the integrity and accuracy of the data.
• Professionalism, punctuality, flexibility and reliability are imperative.
• Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal skills.
• Integrity to handle sensitive information in a confidential manner.

Desired:

• Experience with Drug Medi-Cal Organized Delivery System.
  
• Experience with ASAM Diagnostic Assessment.
  
• Knowledge of gender-responsive, trauma informed and co-occurring treatment.
  
• Knowledge of Clinical documentation (treatment plans, progress notes etc.).
  
• Experience working with criminal justice population.