Assistant Counselor - 1st and 3rd shifts

 JOB DESCRIPTION 

Position Title: Assistant Counselor 

Department: Counseling 

Reports To: Program Director 

Supervises: NA 

Entry Level Qualifications: 

High School Diploma/GED required. Undergraduate degree in Behavioral Science, C.A.C. preferred; 1 year experience in alcohol/drug treatment with direct patient contact required. Candidates must possess the ability to communicate effectively and demonstrate a basic understanding of the principles of chemical dependency recovery. Maintain records and have good communication skills. 

1. Must be able to walk within the facility and on the grounds of the facility for approximately 1 mile per every 8 hour shift. 

2. Must be able to continuously sit for approximately 3 hours per 8 hour shift. 

3. Must be able to administer CPR and be certified. 

4. Must be able to see and hear constantly. 

5. Must be emotionally and physically capable of functioning under stressful situations. 

6. If recovering, two years of continuous verifiable abstinence. 

General Responsibilities: 

Assistant counselors are team members in the Family, Continuing Care, Intensive Stabilization Program, Outpatient, and Counseling departments of the treatment facility. In all instances, the assistant counselor will interact with the patient in accordance with established treatment procedures; facilitate patient orientation and goal attainment; and write timely, appropriate, meaningful documentation. 

Essential Functions: 

1. Assist Nurse and Primary Counselor in completion of patient assessments, including intake and intervention as needed. 

2. In the absence of a primary counselor, assist in the management of that primary counselor's caseload, along with the assigned
coverage counselor.  

3. Assist the counselor as assigned, and engage in appropriate documentation. 

4. Assist the counselor in implementing, teaching recovery principles, and in developing and evaluating treatment plans. 

5. Responsible for completion of, and adherence to, all applicable policies and procedures. 

6. Demonstrates the ability to direct patients in completion of treatment objectives. 

7. Demonstrates the ability to assist patients in overcoming their denial and resistance to treatment. 

8. Demonstrates the ability to manage the therapeutic milieu and report any untoward events to the correct department director. 

9. Must be able to work in a constant state of alertness as to perform the job in a safe manner. 

10. Must be able work in a cooperative manner with co-workers, managers, clients, and prospective clients. 

11. Regular attendance. 

12. Other duties as assigned.