POSITION: Counselor
DEPARTMENT: Pregnant/Parenting Women with Children
FLSA STATUS: Exempt
SUPERVISOR: Director of PPWC
EMPLOYMENT STATUS: Full-Time
SHIFT: 40 Hours Per Week, Tuesday through Saturday

POSITION SUMMARY: The counselor provides individual and group therapy, assessments, and educational support for clients with substance use disorders. The counselor will work collaboratively with a multidisciplinary team to assist clients in achieving and maintaining recovery, developing coping strategies, and improving their overall well-being. The position requires a working knowledge of evidence-based therapeutic approaches.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSBILITIES:

ASSESSMENT AND EVALUATION:

• Conduct comprehensive assessments to evaluate the extent of the client’s substance use disorder, mental health conditions, and any other problem areas.
• Develop individualized treatment plans based on assessment findings, client goals, and medical/psychosocial factors.
• Ensure that treatment plans and interventions are in line with the best practices in the field of substance use treatment.
• Regularly reassess client progress and modify treatment plans as necessary.
• Prepare Medicaid and MCO concurrent reviews for authorization of continued care.

INDIVIDUAL COUNSELING:

• Provide one-on-one counseling sessions to clients to address personal challenges related to substance use, co-occurring disorders, and recovery.
• Help clients set and achieve recovery goals, develop coping mechanisms, and enhance life skills.
• Offer crisis intervention and emotional support as needed, especially during relapse or setbacks.

GROUP COUNSELING:

• Facilitate group therapy sessions on topics such as relapse prevention, coping skills, life skills, and emotional regulation.
• Ensure a supportive and non-judgmental environment that fosters trust and open communication among participants.
• Monitor group dynamics, guide group conflicts, and encourage participation.

EDUCATION:

• Provide psychoeducation to clients about substance use, the recovery process, and the effects of substances on physical and mental health.

DOCUMENTATION AND REPORTING:

• Maintain accurate, timely, and confidential records of client interactions, assessments, treatment plans, progress notes, and any relevant incidents.
• Complete intake and discharge summaries and prepare progress reports as required by facility protocols or licensing requirements.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory and ethical standards in record-keeping and reporting.

COLLABORATION AND REFERRALS:

• Work closely with other staff and counselors to coordinate care for clients with complex needs.
• Provide referrals to additional resources such as support groups, sober living environments, vocational training, and medical or mental health specialists when necessary.

RELAPSE PREVENTION AND AFTERCARE:

• Develop and implement relapse prevention plans tailored to the individual’s needs and circumstances.
• Assist clients with the transition from inpatient or intensive outpatient care to less intensive aftercare programs.

ADVOCACY AND SUPPORT:

• Act as an advocate for clients within the healthcare system and community resources.
• Support clients in navigating insurance, legal matters, or housing issues as they pertain to their recovery journey.

COMPLIANCE AND ETHICS:

• Adhere to all applicable laws, ethical standards, and professional guidelines, including confidentiality and mandated reporting laws.

OTHER DUTIES MAY BE ASSIGNED.

REQUIRED COMPETENCIES AND SKILLS:

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERTISE:

• In-depth knowledge of substance use disorders, mental health conditions, co-occurring disorders, and evidence-based therapeutic interventions (e.g., Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and 12-step facilitation).
• Familiarity with various treatment modalities (e.g., inpatient, outpatient, detox, rehabilitation).
• Understanding relapse triggers, recovery stages, and strategies for long-term sobriety.
• Ability to determine the most appropriate level of care.
• The ability to prepare clinically sound concurrent reviews for continued care.

THERAPEUTIC AND COUNSELING:

• Ability to build strong, trusting relationships with clients to support their recovery.
• Strong crisis intervention skills and ability to remain calm and effective in high-stress situations.
• Excellent listening and communication skills to facilitate therapeutic conversations and ensure client engagement.

TRAUMA-RESPONSIVE CARE:

• Counselors should have a deep understanding of how trauma (especially past experiences such as abuse, neglect, domestic violence, or sexual assault) can affect women. This includes recognizing the signs of trauma and addressing its impact on behavior, emotions, and substance use.
• Ability to create a physically and emotionally safe environment where women can feel supported and empowered to address their trauma and substance use disorder without fear of re-traumatization.
• Proficiency in using trauma-specific therapeutic interventions as license allows, such as Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), and incorporating them into treatment plans.

CULTURAL COMPETENCY:

• Ability to work with individuals from diverse backgrounds and understand the impact of cultural, social, and economic factors on addiction and recovery.

PROBLEM-SOLVING AND CRITICAL THINKING:

• Ability to assess client needs, develop treatment plans, and modify interventions based on ongoing assessment and progress.
• Capable of identifying and addressing underlying issues contributing to substance use, such as trauma or mental health conditions.

TEAM COLLABORATION:

• Ability to work effectively within a multidisciplinary team, contributing to treatment planning and coordination.
• Willingness to consult with peers, supervisors, and other healthcare professionals to ensure the best possible client care.

DOCUMENTATION AND COMPLIANCE SKILLS:

• Detail-oriented and skilled in maintaining thorough, accurate, and confidential documentation.
• Familiarity with electronic health record systems (CMBHS and Welligent) and compliance with CFR 42 and HIPAA regulations.
• Understands and adheres to the agency’s quality management plan and code of conduct.
• Adhere to the agency’s clinical and personnel policies and procedures.

EMPATHY AND COMPASSION:

• Strong commitment to helping clients in their recovery journey with empathy, patience, and respect.
• Ability to provide emotional support and encouragement to clients struggling with the challenges of substance use disorder recovery.

PPWC COUNSELOR:

PARENTING AND CHILD-CENTERED CARE:

• The ability to assist women in rebuilding or strengthening their parenting skills. This includes addressing issues like child attachment, parenting strategies for children affected by substance use disorder, and helping women manage the challenges of motherhood in recovery.
• Understand child development and how a mother’s substance use can impact the child’s emotional, cognitive, and behavioral development. This knowledge will inform how to support mothers in restoring healthy relationships with their children.
• Knowledge of child welfare policies and procedures, including how to maintain a child’s safety in a family unit while the mother is in treatment. Counselors should be skilled at navigating the complexities of child protection services if there is a risk of child neglect or abuse.

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE:

• Associate, bachelor’s or master’s degree in social sciences or related field from an accredited college.
• LCDC, LPC-A, LPC, LCSW, LMSW, or LMFT required. LCDC-I with 2,000 hours minimum will be considered.
• Two to four years’ experience preferred.
• For internal candidates, in addition to clinical experience, job performance must meet expectations in key areas including judgment, leadership, and initiative.

REASONING ABILITY:

• Ability to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form. Ability to solve practical problems involving a variety of concrete variables in standardized situations.

TEAMWORK:

• Takes initiative to help the team and is flexible when asked to assist in other areas.
• Demonstrates concern for the overall team and understands how actions affect others. Shows a positive attitude and contributes to maintaining an enjoyable and productive work environment.
• Does not engage in any unfavorable behaviors such as rumors, inappropriate conversations, etc.
• Provides coverage when other counselors are out of the office.

ACCOUNTABILITY:

• Adheres to attendance requirements. Utilizes correct procedure for taking time off.
• Attends departmental and staff meetings as required.
• Acknowledge errors and demonstrate a willingness to learn and correct them.

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. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; navigate stairs, sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; talk or hear; and taste or smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and distance vision. The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. The ability to perform assigned duties and responsibilities with neatness, accuracy, and a degree of excellence promptly.