Methadone Counselor

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Job Summary

The position provides counseling to individuals receiving integrated substance abuse treatment and primary care at the Substance Abuse Treatment Program.

Essential Functions

• Comprehensive psychosocial assess in out.
  Performance Standard
  Psychosocial will be completed upon admission. Additional information will be noted in the quarterly and annual review This will be measured through individual supervision and chart review.
• Instruct patients on program policies and procedures.
  All new patients will attend Orientation and receive a review n policy and procedures with their counselor. This is documented in the clinical chart.
• Development implementation and review of treatment plans.
  Treatment plans will be completed on a quarterly and anomal basis. They will be reviewed in individual supervision and chart review
• Provision of substance abuse counseling to individuals and families focusing on building motivation, educating, planning, crisis intervention, relapse prevention and aftercare.
  Weekly counseling sessions will be provided in the first 3 months of treatment. After, patients and workers will develop a counseling schedule based on the patients level of functioning which will be reviewed on a regular basis. Counseling skills will be measured by patients willingness to engage in treatment and retention rate. All patient contact will be documented in the clinical chart and reviewed in supervision. Competencies will be defined and assessed through addiction specific conspetencies.
• Coordination of comprehensive services within the clinic for patients on counseling caseload.
  Counselors will present patients at IDC in compliance with policy and procedures. Referrals will be monitored on a monthly basis and reported in progress notes.
• Monitoring of patients response to methadone medication treatment through individual counseling assessment and toxicology review.
  Patients will stabilize on Methadone within 3 months of admission. Inability to do this will be reviewed in supervision and IDC.
• Perform vocational and educational needs assessment.
  The clinical Supervisor reviews quarterly and annual vocational education evaluations for all program patients
• Performing preliminary assessments regarding mental health needs of patients on methadone (le. presence of psychiatric symptoms, suicidality, homosexulality etc.)
• Patients will be referred for psychiatric services when recommended in IDC or directly in the event of an emergency This is documented in the clinical chart.
• Assess patient eligibility for entitlements (Public Assistance, SSI, Medicaid etc.) Refer patients to appropriate agencies when indicated.
  All patients will be assessed for financial need at intake, Referrals will be made to financial managers/staff when los of benefits is identified.
• Enter patient data into HRA/STARS computerized database.
  Patient's entitlements depend on this timely submission.
• Acts as laison between patient and outside agencies.
  Proper completion of all referral material and correspondence. This will be documented in progress notes and on the treatment plans.
• Attends regularly scheduled meetings. i.c. IDC's, staff meetings, morning reports, case management meetings, and other team meetings determined to be necessary.
  Reviewed in supervision and tracked with attendance sheets.
• Maintains required records on patients and updates progress notes as required. Insures that clinical chart contains all necessary information regarding patient's status and other information required by the program administration and regulatory agencies. Completes all required forms and treatment plans.
  Maintains updated consent forms and clinical notes that are audited on a regular basis.
• Asist patients with referral to other services and agencies determined to be necessary to the recovery process (i.c. shelters, detux units, legat counsel, etc.)
  Referrals will be followed by the counselor througli phone cofis and letters and documented in the elinical chart. This will be followed with the Referral Tracking Sheet.
• Give cause presentations in supervision. IDC meetings, daily report.
  Counselors will alternate presenting challenging cases to the team. This will be reviewed by the clinical director and documented in the clinical chart.
• Perform follow-ups to billing (delinquent payments, obtaining information required to bill, confirming and updating billing information, etc.)
  Review of patient's payment status and billing file
• Attendance at seminars and grand rounds which are determined to be important to staff development.
  Counselors will expand and enhance their skills particularly in regards to current changes. This is measured by review and attendance sheets.
• Visit patients in hospital and assist with linkage between services.
• Meet with family members, significant other And outside providers as determined to be necessary and appropriate for clinical management and care.
  Maximize opportunity for increased stabilization measured in supervision and chart reviews.

Qualifications

• One year’s work experience as an addiction’s counselor (preferably with methadone clients) and a BA or BS degree required.  CASAC or license in social work, mental health counseling or a related field is also required.

• Twelve core functions of counselors ​

• 1-3 years work experience as an addictions counselor (preferably with Methadone Clients). Required