About Job

Position Title: Support Counselor (Substance Use Counselor)

Program: Children and Adolescent Mental Health

Classification: Non-Exempt, Full Time

Salary: $25.00-$27.50 per hour; Commensurate with Experience

Summary and Range of Authority: Under the supervision of the Program Manager and Lead Clinician, the Support Counselor provides substance abuse counseling, rehabilitative services, intensive case management, and other supportive services to youth and families served by UPAC’s Children and Adolescent Mental Health program. Services are provided in homes and community locations throughout San Diego County, in addition to UPAC offices.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

· Provide assessment of substance abuse risks and needs of the program’s culturally diverse clients and their families.

· Provide substance use counseling to youth at risk of using or abusing substances, as well as their families.

· Facilitate client and caregiver meetings related to substance use and mental health treatment.

· Facilitate recovery groups, relapse prevention groups, substance abuse workshops, and other types of groups as appropriate.

· Provide rehabilitative support services to clients, caregivers, and other support figures to support client’s mental health. This includes providing education and skill-building activities related to psychoeducation, parenting support and strategies, structure, healthy attachment, independent living, etc.

· Provide clients with care coordination and needed linkages to community resources and services.

· Function as a member of a multidisciplinary team and participate in program planning, assessment and diagnosis, treatment, goal development, utilization review, and discharge planning activities.

· Provide translation and cultural mediation between clients/families, clinical staff, and school personnel as needed.

· Assist in the facilitation and organization of Program Advisory Groups at least two times per year.

· Conduct community outreach to promote program services.

· Prepare accurate and timely documentation of outcome measures, progress notes, reports and other records.

· Utilize Electronic Health Record system.

· Keep accurate records according to County, State, and agency standards.

· Drive to multiple locations (community locations, client homes, UPAC offices) and regions to provide services.

· Meet contracted units of service, productivity, and number of clients served within the fiscal year.

· Attend staff meetings, case conferences, trainings, treatment utilization reviews and other quality assurance activities, and other meetings as assigned.

· Adhere to program hours of operation:

· Mon, Tues, Wed, Fri: 8:30am-5:00pm

· Thurs: 10:00am-6:30pm

· Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Experience and Qualifications Required:

· Registered or Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC).

· Knowledge and experience in working with clients who have co-occurring disorders.

· Knowledge and experience in working with children, adolescents, and families in multicultural settings.

· Ability to maintain strict confidentiality with regard to sensitive or proprietary information or materials.

· Must demonstrate intermediate level of computer literacy and experience using office productivity software (i.e. word processing, spreadsheet, database, and email programs).

· Will not be debarred or excluded from participation in Federal programs by the General Services Administration and/or the Department of Health and Human Services of the Inspector General.

· Must pass background check (Live Scan Fingerprint).

· Must have TB clearance.

· Must be free of probation or parole supervision for a minimum of one year.

· Must be able to drive for business purposes to other program locations in San Diego County.

· Must have a valid California driver’s license and comprehensive automobile insurance coverage, as required by law.

Additional Preferred Education or Qualifications:

· Fluent written, verbal, and reading proficiency in Spanish.

· Trained in Motivational Interviewing.

· Working knowledge of County Contracted Medi-Cal and MHSA Programs, EPSDT, and SmartCare Electronic Health Record system.

Physical Demands and Work Environment:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Spends approximately 70% of work time sitting and meeting with others or working at a desk and/or computer. Spends approximately 30% of work time standing or walking within the work area or outside the office at meetings and events, also bends, twists, stoops and reaches. Ability to communicate in writing and verbally. Regularly required to sit and talk or hear. Frequently is required to use hands to touch, handle or feel and reach with hands and arms. Occasionally lifts and/or moves up to 25 pounds. Working conditions are normal for an office environment and event venues. The noise level is usually moderate.

Benefits:

Health & Wellness:

Employer paid health, vision, dental, life, AD&D, long-term disability, and Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Low-cost Aetna HMO plan ($20 monthly employee premium)
Pet Insurance, voluntary life, critical illness, and accident insurance

Paid Time Off:

160 hours of PTO accrued per year during the first 5 years of employment
40 hours of sick leave available per fiscal year
12 paid holidays (including two days for New Year’s and Christmas)
1 floating holiday per fiscal year
Bereavement Leave: 5 days off (3 paid)

Financial Benefits:

403 (b) retirement plan
Free access to a financial advisor
Bilinguals pay differential (available for select programs)
Eligibility for student loan reimbursement (varies by program/position)

Workplace Flexibility:

Hybrid work schedule (available for select programs/positions)

Professional Development:

Clinical supervision for registered associates, counselors, and peer support staff
Partnerships with numerous universities/schools for internship placements

Employee Perks: