Substance Use Disorder Counselor

Job Objective:

Responsible for coordinating services to address the complex needs of substance using patients and their families; providing assessment, supportive counseling and interventions for patients of the emergency department

Job Description:

Education:

Required: Associates Degree in a health related field
Preferred: Bachelor Degree or higher in health related field

Licensure/Certification:

Required: Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC) or obtained within six (6) months of hire; SBIRT (Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment) training or completion within two (2) months of hire

Experience:

Required: One (1) year substance use counseling experience and two (2) years of experience working with community substance use programs
Preferred: Behavioral health experience

Essential Responsibilities:

• Demonstrates compliance with Code of Conduct and compliance policies, and takes action to resolve compliance questions or concerns and report suspected violations.
• Completes assessment of patients according to professional standards. Documents using facts only without attitude, judgment or opinions. Includes all telephone calls made with person’s name and phone number.
• Conducts a discharge planning needs assessment and develops a post-acute care plan in conjunction with the interdisciplinary team to meet desired goals for the next step in the continuum.
• Communicates to patient/family, and interdisciplinary team members their options and plans for ongoing substance use treatment. Communicates to patients their choices regarding post-acute care plans, and respects these choices as defined by federal, state and regulatory requirements.
• Updates the team as to the status of the after-care plans. Re-evaluates and revises the plan as additional information is acquired and keeps patient/family and team informed of changes in the plan.
• Maintains current knowledge and awareness of payer/reimbursement practices.
• Develops strong relationships with community substance use resources to ensure appropriate patient access after discharge. Completes timely referrals to post-acute care providers, ensuring efficient patient flow and adherence to federal and regulatory requirements.
• Provides crisis intervention, supportive counseling and advocacy to assist patients and/or family with adjustment.
• Helps patient/family understand, accept and follow medical recommendations within the context of self-determination.
• Serves as a resource to hospital staff and physicians concerning substance use issues.
• Facilitates resource acquisition for the unfunded patient, as available.
• Provides education to patient and families around issues related to adaptation to the patient’s diagnosis, illness, treatment, discharge plan and/or life situation.
• Serves as a resource to members of the interdisciplinary team and patient/family regarding coverage issues, discharge options and community resources. Participates in team meetings.
• Documents according to hospital policy.
• Collaborates with supervisor to promote continuous process improvement, which results in efficiency, cost effectiveness, and the highest level of clinical excellence.
• Calls in and writes APS, CPS, domestic violence reports when warranted.
• Demonstrates compliance with Code of Conduct and compliance policies, and takes action to resolve compliance questions or concerns and reports suspected violations.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Essential Skils:

• Demonstrated high degree of initiative, judgment, discretion and independent work ability
• Strong critical thinking skills and ability to establish and carry out complex plans of care for key diagnoses
• Ability to solve complex problems to meet patient needs
• Knowledge of substance rehabilitation program requirements and reimbursement criteria
• Demonstrated comfort level with liaising with multi-disciplinary teams and post-acute care providers
• Ability to work in a high pressure, deadline oriented, and complex health care environment
• Strong customer service skills
• Knowledge about regulations, standards and legislation (local, state and federal) related to the provision of substance use services
• Demonstrated level of comfort working with persons of all socio-economic and cultural backgrounds
• Intricate knowledge of the assessment and provision of interventions addressing the care needs of substance using persons