PATHS

Job Description:

SUMMARY

The Substance Abuse Counselor will provide substance abuse counseling services with an integrated care approach to patients and their families to include assessment and treatment of patients and/or families with substance use concerns, with the goal of overall physical and emotional well-being.

Education and/or experience

• Minimum of one year of experience in substance abuse treatment services.
• Active certification as a Certified Substance Abuse Counselor in Virginia.
• Knowledge of psychotropic medications and their role in the treatment of mental illness preferred.
• Experience working with individuals with chronic medical conditions and concurrent mental health issues preferred.

Preferred Skills:

Competencies

• Skills in evidenced based substance abuse assessment, treatment and crisis intervention.
• Good understanding of the principals of primary care and behavioral health/substance abuse intervention.
• Ability to effectively communicate substance abuse issues with other treatment team members, patients, and families.
• Skill in preparing and maintaining patient records and to confidentially manage patient information.
• Ability to use independent judgment to the extent allowed by the substance abuse counselor’s credentials.

Essential Functions

              1.  Provides substance abuse screening, assessment, and treatment planning.

2. Provides group and individual counseling and psychoeducational services for patients diagnosed with primary substance use disorders and their families.

3. Assists with orientation, case management, referrals, and discharge planning.

4. Uses an integrated care approach to address patients’ overall care needs including medical, behavioral, and social areas.

5. Gives primary care providers and other treatment team members timely feedback about patients’ treatment needs and progress via documentation in the client’s record and verbal feedback.

6. Documents behavioral health services in accordance with policies and procedures regarding medical records.

7. Implements and adheres to policies which ensure patient confidentiality.

8. Provides crisis intervention in situations requiring immediate substance abuse treatment.

9. Performs miscellaneous job-related duties as assigned.

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job.  Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

AAP/EEO Statement

PATHS’provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.