Addiction Counselor

OTSEGO COUNTY HASTHE FOLLOWING VACANCY:

Community Services

Addiction Counselor

$45,812 - $54,232

EOE

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS: Addictions Counselors are professional members of a multidisciplinary clinical treatment team providing a therapy program tailored to the individual needs of patients. They play a central role in the design and delivery of a comprehensive individualized treatment program through consultation with team members, individual and group counseling of patients, discharge planning, community involvement, and case management services. Addictions Counselors may be responsible for augmenting services provided by other treatment team members in order to provide the full range of intensive treatment services to each patient.

TYPICAL WORKACTIVITIES:

· Under the supervision of clinical professionals, serves as a primary therapist for an assigned group of patients; counsels patients, families, and significant others, in order to assist them in recognizing and accepting their addiction/ abuse/potential for difficulties with alcohol and or other substances; and their social, medical, economic and psychological causes and consequences;

· Establishes empathetic and therapeutic relationships, educates, elicits feelings, promotes self-understanding and motivation of patients recovering;

· Encourages patients to make a commitment to sobriety and to becoming a contributing member of society;

· Completes admission interview with prospective patient; authenticates pre-admission data; provides a written summary, including rationale for admission or rejection;

· Provides crisis intervention by telephone or personal contact;

· Provides information about the disease concept of chemical dependency, familiarizing patients with the progressive nature of the disease and the signs and symptoms characteristic of early, middle and late stages;

· Provides information about recognized self-help groups including Alcoholics Anonymous, Al-Anon and Alateen, NA;

· Prepares patients and significant others for relapse prevention;

· Integrates in the counseling process a variety of special concerns appropriate to individual patients or groups;

· Serves as a role model for sobriety and observes the ethical standards applicable to addiction counselors;

· Takes a lead role in the orientation and training of new staff and a leadership role in any joint project utilizing paraprofessional, support or volunteer staff;

· Fosters public knowledge and understanding of alcohol/substance abuse and dependency;

· Meets with community agencies to encourage a greater understanding to encourage appropriate referrals and use of resources.

FULL PERFORMANCE, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: Good knowledge of group and individual counseling; working knowledge of the basic principles, practices and techniques used in alcohol and substance abuse counseling and education; working knowledge of human behavior, social, economic problems and developments; ability to carry out an alcohol and substance abuse counseling program; ability to prepare reports and correspondence; ability to establish rapport; good judgment; initiative and resourcefulness; physical condition commensurate with the demands of the position.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Graduation from high school or possession of a high school equivalency diploma AND:

(a) Graduation from a regionally accredited college or university or one accredited by the NYS Board of regents to grant degrees with an Associates or Bachelors degree AND registered as a Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor (CASAC) and have one (1) year full-time experience in the human services field; OR

(b) Currently licensed or license eligible within six (6) months as a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, Licensed Master Social Worker, Licensed Clinical Social Worker or Licensed Registered Nurse; OR

(c) Certified Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor (CASAC) and three (3) years of experience in the human services field.

CLASSIFICATION: Competitive

Applications are available at the Otsego County Personnel/Civil Service Department, 183 Main Street, Cooperstown, NY 13326 or online at www.otsegocounty.com

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $45,812.00 - $54,232.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Flexible schedule
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Work Location: In person

Salary : $45,812 - $54,232