Substance Use Counselor I

At Community Medical Centers (CMC), we’re passionate about improving health and well-being in the communities we call home. That’s why we work to ensure even our most vulnerable neighbors have affordable access to quality healthcare, regardless of age, income, or background. We offer integrated medical, dental, behavioral health, and supportive services, with a model of care that puts the patient at the center of a team-based approach. As one of the region’s largest healthcare providers, our growing network of neighborhood health centers serves over 100,000 patients in San Joaquin and Solano counties.

MISSION

Working together to improve health and well-being in our communities.

BENEFITS

• Competitive Pay
• Medical, Dental, & Vision benefits options for full-time employees
• Flexible spending account for medical expenses
• Dependent care
• Employee assistance program
• Life Insurance
• Pet Insurance
• Short Term/Long Term Disability Insurances
• 403(b) retirement saving plan with company match
• 10 paid sick days/12 Holidays/Vacations days vary on position
• In Shape Discounted Gym Membership
• Excellent growth and advancement opportunities
• Collaborative and diverse environment

POSITION SUMMARY:

The primary focus of the Substance Use Counselor I is to use a patient centered approach and effective communication to assist patients to cope with the substance abuse and dependence issues and practical arrangements related to the patient’s illness under close supervision as they are learning to apply principles of substance abuse counseling. Effective social engagement strategies that establish trust and overcome barriers resulting from isolation, stigma, and the symptoms of mental health and/or substance use problems will be utilized. A sustained support model to meet basic needs and respond to individual preferences as well as trauma-informed services that restore hope will be utilized. The Substance Use Counselor I is a member of the healthcare team providing assessments, coordination, treatment planning, information and referral to community resources and other social work services. The primary goal and offered individualized and group intensive substance use services using a multidisciplinary approach, including, but not limited to: Mental health and substance use assessment; health system navigation; housing and benefits advocacy; health coaching, referrals and brief treatment, pharmacy consultation and supportive counseling.  The Substance Use Counselor reports to the Associate Director of Substance Use.

SPECIFIC DUTIES:

• Conducts individual counseling related to substance use, substance use treatment and recovery services.
• Transports/escorts patients to/off hospital grounds to patient care activities.
• Performs patient and family interviews/ assessments to obtain psychosocial histories.
• Conducts environmental and patient safety rounds to ensure safety of the patients.
• Participates with the multidisciplinary treatment team in the development, implementation and evaluation of treatment or therapy approaches for patients and their families in all phases of comprehensive substance use and/or mental health programs.
• Maintains communication between patients, family, care-team and other employees utilizing appropriate channels and assists in coordinating patient linkage with substance use recovery services. 
• Monitors and documents client and patient progress in substance use/mental health recovery.
• Develops and promotes interest in the substance use and/or mental health fields by speaking before community groups.
• Uses effective communication skills and motivational interviewing techniques to obtain relevant psycho-social information from patients and families.
• Identifies financial, environmental, emotional, and social factors which greatly contribute to the condition/illness or work against the ability of the patient and family/caregiver to benefit from medical and health care.
• Creates and implements an efficient and sure social work treatment scheme for patients and families/caregivers based on analysis of the psycho-social factors as well as the medical illness of the patient.
• Conducts home visits that would help identify the need for added equipment or service and arranges supportive services as appropriate.
• Collaborates with primary care providers, the behavioral health clinician, pharmacist, and other members of the treatment team through a multi- or interdisciplinary approach.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

• High School Diploma or GED.
• Completion of an Alcohol and Substance Use Program or currently enrolled
• Registered Alcohol and Drug Trainee or Registered Alcohol and Drug Technician through an acceptable Substance Use Counselor organization.  
• Must possess knowledge of chemical dependency, substance use and personality dynamics of the substance user.
• Microsoft Office Program skills.
• Must be in possession of a valid California Driver’s License.
• Current BLS Certificate or ability to obtain a BLS Certificate.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of principles and practices of counseling techniques
• Knowledge of community resources and referral agencies
• Knowledge of group dynamics
• Knowledge of office management principles and practices
• Skill in counseling
• Skill in interviewing and communicating to elicit information and cooperation from   
• patients
• Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with patients, staff,
• and the public
• Skill in public speaking
• Skill in facilitating support groups.
• Ability to write reports, correctly reflecting intervention, and document progress.

TYPICAL PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

May require sitting for long periods of time; also stooping, bending, and stretching for files and supplies.  May require lifting up-to 25 pounds.  Vision must be correctable to 20/40 and hearing must be in the normal range for telephone contacts.  Requires ability to drive to identified areas for presentations and other activities.

TYPICAL WORKING CONDITIONS:

Work is performed in an office environment within a clinic setting. Involves frequent contact with staff and the public. Work may be stressful at times. Contact may involve dealing with upset people. 

This job description is not intended to be a complete list of all responsibilities, skills, or duties required for the job and is subject to review and change at any time, with or without notice, in accordance with the needs of Community Medical Centers. Since no job description can detail all the duties and responsibilities that may be required from time to time in the performance of a job, duties, and responsibilities that may be inherent in a job, reasonably required for its performance, or required due to the changing nature of the job shall also be considered part of the jobholder’s responsibility.

Community Medical Centers is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is CMC’s policy to provide equal employment opportunities to all persons, regardless of age, national origin, race (including hair texture and hairstyle), color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), parental status, disability, genetic information (including family medical history), political affiliation, military service, or other non-merit based factors.