Licensed Addictions Counselor (Healthcare for the Homeless)

Working title: Healthcare for the Homeless Licensed Addiction Counselor (LAC)

Classification title: Licensed Addiction Counselor

Division: Community Health Center/HCH

Program: Behavioral Health

Reports to: Mental Health Services Program Manager

FLSA status: Non-Exempt: Full-Time

Schedule: Monday-Friday; 8am to 5pm

Wage Range: $28.70 to $35.67 hourly depending on number of years of transferrable experience and internal equity

RiverStone Health Overview:

Serving the Yellowstone County community and south-central Montana for nearly 50 years, RiverStone Health is an essential provider of personal and public health services. Health, Education, Leadership and Protection – HELP is what we do. From medical, dental and behavioral healthcare; home care and hospice; public health services like immunizations, WIC, health promotion and restaurant inspections; and educating the next generation of health professionals, our expertise spans all ages and stages of life. Underlying principles of access, affordability, compassion and quality in all interactions, RiverStone Health improves life, health and safety for all of the communities we serve.

Behavioral Health Overview:

RiverStone Health recognizes that depression is the third most common reason for a visit to a health center and one in four adults suffer from a mental disorder in a given year. The Behavioral Health team provides mental health and substance abuse counseling and treatment for patients and provides referrals to other community-based services.

Job Summary:

The employee in this position provides clinical evaluations to clients at the Health Care for the Homeless Clinics and, on a part-time basis, at the RSH MOUD Clinic for substance use disorders.

Essential Functions/Major Duties and Responsibilities:

A. Licensed Addiction Counselor (LAC) services 65%

• Conducts assessments, case consultation, treatment planning and referral, individual and group therapy sessions and crisis interventions.

• Confers with other professional staff regarding cases, referrals, and treatment.

• Confers with referring agencies to communicate how they can utilize evaluation services and to coordinate the referral process.

• Develops recommendations for enhancing substance use disorder treatment services.

• Performs chart review with the Total Quality Improvement Team.

• Complies with all state standards.

• Provides education and training on substance use disorders to staff as requested.

• Provides support within the RSH MOUD Clinic by completing modified substance use disorder (SUD) assessments, coordinating referrals, and providing psychoeducation to both staff and patients

• Completes chemical dependency evaluations and prepares written reports and client documentation that include specific treatment recommendations.

• Facilitates client and family education, awareness and support groups.

• Keeps immediate supervisor and designated others accurately informed concerning work progress, including present and potential work problems and suggestions for new or improved ways of addressing such problems.

• Attends meetings, conferences, workshops, and training sessions and reviews publications and audio-visual materials to become and remain current on principles, practices, and new developments in assigned work areas.

• Maintains required continuing education hours for current certification in field.

• Responds to citizens’ questions and comments in a courteous and timely manner.

• Communicates and coordinates regularly with appropriate others to maximize the effectiveness and efficiency of interdepartmental operations and activities.

• Recognizes and educates staff that managing patient care is a team effort that involves clinical and nonclinical staff (e.g. physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, nurses, medical assistants, educators, front desk staff, schedulers, etc) interacting with patients to achieve stated objectives.

B. Discipline or program-specific duties 30%

• Attend essential clinic and all staff meetings.

• Attend continuing education trainings to maintain licensure.

• Prepare and give presentations during clinic, all staff, and other meetings within the organization.

• Potential requests to do community presentations.

• Involvement in media publications.

• Project involvement

• Building community relationships

Non-Essential Functions/Other duties as assigned ≥5%

• Perform other duties as assigned in support of RiverStone’s mission and goals.

Education and Experience:

Minimum Qualifications

• An associate of arts or applied science degree in alcohol and drug studies, chemical dependency or substance abuse from an accredited college or university.

• Three years of licensed experience in chemical dependency treatment and counseling

• Must have completed, or willingness to complete, board-approved training consisting of either: A minimum of 1 semester credit of graduate-level education focused on supervision, OR 20 hours of board-approved continuing education training in supervision

Preferred Qualifications:

• Baccalaureate degree in alcohol and drug studies, psychology, sociology, social work, counseling or a related field from an accredited college or university.

• Ability to provide Clinical Supervision

• Current Montana LCPC/LCSW in addition to LAC license in good standing

Required Certificates, Licenses, Registrations:

• Valid State of Montana driver's license

• Current Montana LAC license in good standing

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ability to maintain a calm and positive demeanor during difficult client interactions.

• Ability to display non-judgmental and empathetic listening skills.

• High degree of detail-oriented skill level.

• Knowledge and understanding of protected sensitive patient health information (HIPAA) and confidentiality.

• Ability to work collaboratively and maintain a positive work environment.

• Ability to communicate clearly and accurately with supervisors, other RiverStone Health employees, community resources and clients and patients.

• Ability to perform job duties with integrity and innovation to ensure completion and a high level of quality.

• Ability to understand and adhere to required administrative policies and procedures.

• Ability to meet deadlines, including completing treatment plans, assessments and other duties.

• Knowledge of the DSM-5 and/or DSM-5-TR.

• Motivational interviewing skills.

Customer Service Excellence:

• Doing things right the first time

• Making people feel welcome

• Showing respect for each customer

• Anticipating customer needs and concerns

• Keeping customers informed

• Helping and going the extra mile

• Responding quickly

• Protecting privacy and confidentiality

• Demonstrating proper telephone etiquette

• Taking responsibility for handling complaints

• Being professional

• Taking ownership of your attitude toward Service Excellence.

Supervision:

• Provide Clinical Supervision:

  • Peer Support Specialist (2 FTE)

Physical Demands and Working Conditions:

• Work is mainly performed in-person with clients, patients and their families.

• Up to 8 hours of sitting and computer work

• Work is performed in an office setting primarily
• Ability to sit, stand, walk, bend, reach, and use office equipment throughout the workday.

• Create and maintain a safe/secure working environment by adhering to safety, security, and health requirements. Integrates injury, illness, and loss prevention into job activities by attending any necessary training and implementing best practices.

Freedom to Act & Decision Making:

(Example: Responsible for the service of 20-30 clients per day; supervised by section manager; uses independent judgment; has someone readily available to ask questions if needed.)

• Meet with direct supervisor weekly, then reduce to a minimum of once per month.

• Responsible clinical judgment in making appropriate substance use diagnoses for patients.

• Utilize other Behavioral Health team in determining diagnoses when needed.

Communications & Networking: (Liaison with others, type and level of communications, responsible for confidential medical/non-medical information.)

(Example: Daily written and verbal communication with patients, patient family members, co-workers and providers.)

• Responsible for confidential medical and non-medical information.

• Work with all clinical staff for appropriate patient care.

• Communication with other agencies concerning appropriate patient care.

Budget & Resource Management: (Scope of budget authority, program funding types and guidelines, forecasting, FTE resources) Complete only if position is responsible for budget and FTE resources.

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