ADDICTION COUNSELOR

POSITION SUMMARY:
Dynamic, internally motivated professional who oversees the emotional and behavioral well being of youth by developing and implementing a comprehensive strength-based therapeutic plan for each child in conjunction with outside agencies and families to teach, promote and encourage pro-social interactions and behaviors for community integration. The Counselor/Trainee oversees a multidisciplinary team within the program, provides individual, group and family counseling, documents services in the clinical record, engages in inter-departmental care coordination, and documents service outcomes. May provide Safe Crisis Management and utilize manual restraint techniques to youth who weigh up to 250 pounds and are verbally or physically threatening, out-of-control, or otherwise presenting a threat to themselves or others. Licensed Counselor/Trainee schedules routinely include a weekend day and one evening a week and may require participation in an after-hours on-call rotation which could require on-site interventions.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Alcohol & Drug Trainee: MD Department of Health and Mental Hygiene Alcohol & Drug Trainee credential; Associates Degree from accredited college or university in Health and Human Services counseling field. Works under supervision of approved Alcohol & Drug supervisor.

CSC-AD (Certified Supervised Alcohol & Drug Counselor): MD Department of Health and Mental Hygiene CSC-AD certification, minimum of Associates Degree from accredited college or university in Health and Human Services counseling field plus at least 2 years (2000 hours) of required supervised clinical experience.

CAC-AD (Certified Associate Alcohol & Drug Counselor): MD Department of Health and Mental Hygiene CAC-AD credential; minimum of Bachelors Degree from accredited college or university in Health and Human Services counseling field plus at least 3 years (2000 hours) of alcohol and drug counseling experience.

LGACD (Licensed Graduate Alcohol & Drug Counselor): MD Department of Health and Mental Hygiene LGACD license; minimum of Master’s Degree from accredited college or university in Health and Human Services counseling field.

LCACD (Licensed Clinical Alcohol & Drug Counselor): MD Department of Health and Mental Hygiene LCACD license; minimum of Master’s Degree from accredited college or university in Health and Human Services counseling field.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Carry a case load

• Conducts required assessments, as necessary

• Conduct MDT meetings

• Develop and update treatment plans

• Develop therapeutic relationships with families

• Communication with DJS case managers

• Conduct substance abuse groups and individual sessions

• Process mental health referrals

• Thorough knowledge of clinical assessment methods and individual and group therapy techniques; thorough knowledge of residential treatment programs for adolescents.

• Good facilitation skills to enable staff to participate as effective team members in a treatment program.

• Understanding of human behavior and the processes required to facilitate change.

• Excellent writing skills as well as the ability to produce comprehensive narrative reports including measurable objectives; must be capable of editing reports written by other staff to produce final report.

• Must have excellent skills in verbal communication; good organization and time management skills, and familiarity and competency with personal computer applications.

• The initial assessment of these qualifications will be made through pre-hire interview questions by senior staff members and writing sample.

VQ is a national comprehensive child, youth and family services organization committed to providing successful and effective services while adhering to the highest professional standards.

VQ operates around the nation, providing care services such as residential programming, community-based services, and in-home services for children and their families. We work with state and federal governments to go where the need is greatest and give back to communities that need our services the most. Regardless of the circumstances and background that a child comes from, we believe they deserve an opportunity for a good life.