Position Summary: 

Under the direction of the Program Manager, the Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Counselor is responsible for providing individual and group counseling sessions, assesses new participants thoroughly utilizing various assessment SUD assessment tools, will provide ongoing needed support for the participant and their families. The Substance Use Disorder Counselor serves as a role model for substance use disorder competency for other staff to emulate. Maintain confidentiality at all levels.

Essential Functions of the Job:

• Conducts thorough alcohol and other drugs assessments and provides crisis intervention as needed. Assesses and identifies participants’ needs for supportive services on an ongoing basis. Acts as a resource, assists in obtaining and/or makes appropriate referrals for necessary or requested services. Requests assistance and guidance from the Program Manager and clinical staff when necessary to address participants’ issues and problems.
• Ability to work with people at varying stages of change utilizing evidence-based approaches such as motivational interviewing, trauma informed care, and harm reduction practices.
• Provides individual counseling to individuals identified as either at risk or with a co-occurring disorder. Services must be provided in a fashion consistent with State of California laws and regulations, professional standards of care, agency guidelines, and professional ethical guidelines.
• Facilitates group counseling sessions and leads specialized educational classes; collaborates with other service team members regarding appropriate treatment interventions for participants’ status; within scope of responsibility and expertise, provides guidance and instruction to other staff members regarding appropriate treatment interventions for participants.
• Establishes and maintains contact with community resources to ensure continuity of care (e.g., case managers, rehabilitation and detoxification centers, psychiatric units.).
• Timely completion and final approval of progress notes, which includes ongoing evaluation of participants progress as it pertains to the participant’s plan, consistent with agency expectations and ethical standards.
• Responsible for completion and submission of requires reports in a timely manner.
• Assists in the integration of behavioral health services by ensuring that all participants are connected to care.
• Meets productivity standard expectation.
• Ability to proficiently maneuver through all electronic applications for job.
• Performs any other job-related duties as needed, assigned and/or as requested.
• Adheres to SYHealth and Behavioral Health department’s policies and best practices, ensuring staff compliance to attendance and punctuality.

Additional Duties and Responsibilities

• Adheres to all applicable SYHealth policies, procedures, protocols, and best practices.
• Demonstrates effective verbal and written communication skills in collaboration with teams to achieve quality, excellence, harmony and problem-solving to obtain stated goals and objectives.
• Demonstrates active listening skills, respect and a positive “Can Do” attitude.
• Enhance professional growth and development through participation in education programs, reading literature to keep up-to-date related to Behavioral Health/Substance Use Disorder, attending in-service trainings and workshops to improve upon knowledge and skillset.
• Attends meetings, as required, and participates on committees, as directed.
• Demonstrates professional behavior standard etiquette, courtesy, mutual respect, confidentiality, and treats every patient and employee with dignity in every interaction.
• Exhibits a high level of integrity, ethics, transparency, leadership style and trust.
• Promotes and fosters respect for patient privacy by maintaining confidentiality on all patient EHR data and abides by both the HIPAA Privacy and Security rules.
• Exhibits excellent presentation skills, confidently speaks up, follows the appropriate chain of command, and demonstrates effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Maintains a clean, safe, and organized work area at all times.
• Demonstrates supportive skills in providing excellent customer service experiences.
• Performs any other job-related duties as needed, assigned, or requested.

Job Requirements

Education Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in human or social services. 

Experience Required:

• At least one year full time (orequivalent) experience working with substance use disorders (SUD), criminal justice involved and co-occurring populations.
• A basic understanding of the role of medication assisted treatment and substance use disorder treatment in a medical setting is helpful but not required.

Certifications Required:

• Drug and Alcohol Certification III recognized by the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS).

Verbal and Written Skills Required to Perform the Job:

• Bilingual (English/Spanish) required. Ability to provide substance use disorder services fluently in English and Spanish.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Provide positive customer service skills.
• Is an active listener and provides support and guidance to others.
• Superb organizational ability and exceptionally analytical.

Technical Knowledge and Skills Required to Perform the Job:

• Knowledge of rehabilitation and recovery treatment modalities.
• Integrated Treatment and care for individuals with co-occurring disorders.
• Demonstrate respect for diversity.
• Exercise tact, objectivity, sensitivity, strategy, and judgement in dealing with a variety of people with a variety of co-occurring disorders.
• Organize, set priorities, and exercise sound independent judgement within areas of responsibility.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with participants, family members, other professional staff, and the public.
• Knowledge of basic computer skills required.
• Ability to proficiently maneuver through all electronic applications for the job.

Equipment Used:

• Computers, Software systems, scanner, telephones, copy and fax machines.

Working Conditions and Physical Requirements:

• Prolonged, extensive, and considerable periods of sitting.
• Manual dexterity and mobility.
• Good organizational skills and ability to remain focused.
• Ability to work harmoniously with others as a team member.
• May be required to work evenings and/or weekends, and provide staffing coverage as needed.  

Universal Requirements:

Pre-employment requirements include I-9, physical, positive background and reference check results, complete application, new hire orientation, pre-employment PPDs. Compliance with all mandated vaccinations and all boosters is a term and condition of employment.

About Us San Ysidro Health is a Federally Qualified Health Care organization committed to providing high quality, compassionate, accessible and affordable healthcare services for the entire family. The organization was founded by seven women in search of medical services for their families and community. Almost 50 years later, San Ysidro Health now provides innovative care to over 108,000 patients through a vast and integrated network of 47 program sites across the county. San Ysidro Health could not serve our patients without the dedication of our passionate and hardworking employees. Apply today and become a part of our mission-driven team! San Ysidro Health has a long-standing commitment to equal employment opportunity for all applicants for employment.  Employment decisions including, but not limited to, those such as employee selection, performance evaluation, administration of benefits, working conditions, employee programs, transfers, position changes, training, disciplinary action, compensation, and separations are made without regard to race, color, religion (including religious dress and grooming), creed, national origin, nationality, citizenship status, domestic partnership status, ancestry, gender, affectional or sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, civil union status, family status, age, mental or physical disability (including AIDS or HIV-related status), atypical heredity cellular or blood trait of an individual, genetic information or refusal to submit to a genetic test or make available the results of a genetic test, military status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws.