Counselor, Certified Addiction Specialist

Under general supervision, performs counseling, care plan development, case management, family intervention, and referral work for alcohol and drug abuse clients receiving treatment at Denver Health. Facilitate group education for clients enrolled in treatment. Provides addiction education to assist patients to gain a better understanding and acceptance of the addictive disease process. May act as clinical lead for CAC I, II and III clinicians.

• Performs assessments to identify client’s condition, problems, and determine disposition. • Interviews clients to obtain health history and/or complete intake evaluation which may include necessary paperwork. • Obtains and records patient vital signs including temperature, pulse, respiration, and blood pressure. • Acts as a leader to staff promoting teamwork. • Assesses and adjusts staffing to accommodate sick calls, admissions, changes in patient census or care needs. • Assures scheduling and assignments are made in a timely manner. • Coaches counselor staff regarding behaviors and performance issues. • Acts as patient advocate in dealing with patient or family concerns. • Facilitates individual counselor and group treatment sessions, guiding group behavior. • Works as a member of the patient care team by asking for additional tasks to assists team with assignments when not busy. • Interacts with colleagues, patients, and the public in a manner that promotes Excellence in Service, supporting and facilitating an environment conducive to teamwork. • Promotes positive interpersonal (customer) relationships with fellow employees, physicians, patients and visitors and treating individuals with courtesy, dignity, empathy and respect. • Consistently displays courteous and respectful verbal and non-verbal communications. • Participates in the peer review process to provide constructive feedback to colleagues. C • Completes continued education units (CEU) as required to maintain certification/employment. • Completes service plan at time of first session. • Responds to clients in a timely manner. • Ensures documentation is legible and service plan reflects all identified problems, interventions, and client response to treatment and documenting changes in service plan in a clinical note. • Performs according to all standards of care and policies and procedures for the department. • Completes state, federal, and agency mandated documentation. • Participates in unit staff meetings. • Assists with filling in shifts as requested for PTO. • Participates in performance improvement by maintaining charts in proper order and participates in chart audits. • Helps maintain a safe environment for patients by responding to staff supports. • Utilizes a variety of crisis intervention techniques to respond to aggressive behavior. • Meets all safety and infection control requirements. • Makes attempts to re-engage any client who seeks a premature discharge from the program. • Ensures clinical supervision records are current. • Promotes positive Interpersonal (customer) relationship with fellow employees, physicians, patients and visitors. • Treats all individuals with courtesy, dignity, empathy and respect, consistently displays courteous and respectful verbal and non-verbal communications. • Adheres to, complies with and demonstrates support for the mission and values of Denver Health. • Supports and adheres to the Denver Health Values of Trust, Respect, and Excellence. • Ensures confidentiality of patient information by creating and maintaining a secure and trusting environment by not sharing information learned on the job, except when necessary in the performance of the job responsibilities or to improve a patient’s care. • Ensures all duties, responsibilities, and competencies are conducted in a manner that is effective and appropriate to patients/clients who care/service is being delivered/provided. • Demonstrates knowledge and applicability of the principle of growth and development over the lifespan, as well as demonstrating the ability to assess data reflecting the patient’s status and interpreting appropriate cultural information of the patient(s) to whom care/service is being delivered/provided. • Other duties as assigned.

Education and Experience • BA/BS required. • Proof of passing the NCAC II exam and completion of all requirements at the CAT and CAS level. • Typically, 1-2 years of paid or volunteer casework and counseling experience in mental health, vocational rehabilitation or social services, including counseling work experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities • Knowledge of safety and infection control requirements. • Knowledge of state, federal, and agency mandated documentation. • Knowledge of human behavior and performance. • Logic and reasoning skills to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems. • Ability to work collaboratively with others. • Ability to provide personal assistance, emotional support, or other personal care to patients. • Ability to maintain confidentiality of records relating to clients’ treatment. Computers and Technology • Proficient in Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint Certificates, Licenses and Registration • CAS Certificate issued by the Colorado Alcohol and Drug Abuse Division. • Current Basic Life Support for Health Care Provider/CPR, required. All Certifications and Licenses required for this job must be kept current as a condition of continued employment. Supervisory Responsibilities This position has no supervisory responsibilities.