Job Description

The Substance Abuse Counselor is responsible for providing support to individuals who use or abuse alcohol, tobacco, and other substances or those who are at risk. Teach individual clients and groups to cope with life stressors and encourage a sober lifestyle. Support family members whose lives may have been negatively impacted by substance abuse.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION:

The San Bernardino Wrap program is a community-based, family-centered, needs-driven program designed to maintain children with emotional disturbances in the community at the lowest level of care possible. The goal of the program is to reduce the risk of out-of-home placement and recidivism by brining individuals, agencies and the community together as the decision-making team with the central focus being to meet the needs of the child and family. Services assist in supporting the mental health needs of children and their families, allowing safe and appropriate care, and promoting coordination and collaboration in care planning efforts with the Children and Family Team (CFT) and other child-serving agencies.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:

1. Must be proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel and Microsoft Outlook.
2. Must be able to communicate clearly, both verbally and in writing.
3. Must be able to author and produce their own emails, letters, reports and other documents in a professional manner. That is, documents and correspondence should be relatively free of grammar and spelling errors.”
4. Ability to interact professionally and effectively with all levels of employees within the organization, to include peers, co-workers and supervisors.
5. Must be detail oriented and have the ability to complete documentation in a timely manner.
6. Excellent time management, organizational and follow through skills.
7. Ability to appear to work every day and on time. Must have reliable transportation as travel up to 2 hours between office locations and within the community is required.
8. Ability to follow directions from a supervisor.
9. Ability to understand and follow posted, printed and/or electronic work rules and procedures.
10. Ability to accept constructive criticism in a respectful, open and interactive manner.
11. Experience working with people over the phone.
12. Must have the ability to perform efficiently and effectively with multiple interruptions.

JOB DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Maintain an average caseload of 6-12 referred clients.
2. Provide one-on-one substance abuse prevention counseling with the youth on a weekly basis.
3. Meet child a minimum of once a week or as determined by the Child and Family Teams (CFT).
4. Support clients to assist in overcoming dependencies, adjusting to life, or making changes.
5. Develop client treatment plans based on research, clinical experience, and client histories.
6. Conduct chemical dependency program orientation sessions.
7. Review and evaluate clients' progress in relation to measurable goals described in treatment and care plans.
8. Provide clients or family members with information about addiction issues and about available services or programs, making appropriate referrals when necessary.
9. Provide guidance to family members so they may better understand and support clients.
10. Provide at least one drug and alcohol related “Wrap Rounds” training per year.
11. Understanding of the wraparound process and phases.
12. Counseling interventions should reflect recent research literature and remain relevant to the wraparound process and phases.
13. Attend all client CFT meetings.
14. Utilize strengths based approach.
15. Interventions should encourage and promote family independence and self-sufficiency.
16. Maintain a cooperative and effective working relationship with all members of the Team.
17. Communicate with all members of the Team to ensure coordination of care.
18. Resource development and distribution.
19. Maintaining required paperwork and documentation.
20. Work cell phone must be operational at all times and employee must respond to all calls within 10 minutes, unless employee is on pre-approved vacation. It is permissible to screen calls after 5 pm and respond accordingly.

Requirements

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Education/Experience

1. AA or Bachelor’s degree in human services or related field
2. Completed the Addiction Studies certificate at a California Association for Alcohol/Drug Educators (CAADE) accredited college OR completed minimum requirements of the International Certification and Reciprocity Consortium/Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse, Inc. OR equivalent.
3. Relevant experience working with youth in a mental health/social service setting and/or 2 years experience working with youth who use/abuse alcohol, tobacco, and other substances.

Licensure, Registration, Certification

1. Valid Certified Prevention Specialist credential from CAADE OR California Certified Prevention Specialist (CCPS) from California Association of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors (CAADAC) OR equivalent.
2. Valid CA driver’s license and proof of automobile insurance.
3. Completion of CPR/First Aid/ProACT certification within the first thirty (30) days of employment.