Counselor provides mental health and substance abuse counseling to groups and individuals admitted to New Connections. Facilitates individual and group therapy, conducts assessments, develops treatment plans and maintains complete treatment record, including discharge and aftercare.

CHARACTERISTIC DUTIES

• Conducts assessments with clients and collaboratively establishes appropriate treatment plans.

• Provides mental health and substance abuse treatment using both individual and group therapy modalities for clients in the treatment process.

• Maintains current documentation of all clinical services provided in accordance with departmental standards.

• Maintains awareness of community resources to facilitate client placement/referral to meet identified client needs.

• Works collaboratively with other care-providers within the department as well as with other departments and clinics in the medical center.

• Maintains a working knowledge of the various substance abuse and mental health treatment approaches.

• Maintains a working knowledge of medications used in the treatment of clients experiencing or diagnosed with mental health and substance abuse/addictions conditions/disorders.

• Understands and uses the most recent DSM manual and ASAM criteria for determining diagnostic needs for clients.

• Willingness to train other staff on substance abuse or mental health treatment.

• Maintains knowledge of the civil commitment and criminal processes to work more effectively with clients who are referred from both the civil and criminal court systems.

• Demonstrates strong written and verbal communication.

• Utilizes holistic approaches to assessing and providing services to clients. Performs other duties as assigned.

PERFORMANCE STANDARDS

• Maintains productivity at a quantity consistent with individual productivity standards.

• Completes documentation for client services and for hospital issues within required standards.

• Attendance pattern meets BMC standards.

• Consults and cooperates with care team throughout BMC to ensure optimal exchange of information, problem solving and maintenance of a positive interface.

• Actively participates in creating a positive work environment by demonstrating team work and cooperative, responsive behavior.

• Demonstrates effective communication methods and skills, using lines of authority appropriately.

• Meets or exceeds competency criteria specific to the tasks and duties of the position.

• Demonstrates service excellence in all activities and interactions.

Minimum Qualifications

CADC (Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor) Certification