Counselor

Position Summary:

The Counselor serves as a member of the Treatment team of WestCare Tennessee and works to ensure the delivery of group and family counseling services in the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Supported Employment grant. This role provides the completion of documentation required for the clinical record, including, but not limited to, the development of the individual plans, psychosocial assessment, daily notes, monthly reviews, and related activities in a timely manner. This position will serve individuals from Cocke and Jefferson County Tennessee.

Essential Job Functions:

• Embraces and embodies the mission, vision, guiding principles, and goals of WestCare Tennessee.
• Work close with the Case Manager of the Supported Employment program.
• Conduct interviews and make assessments on individuals to determine their needs and appropriateness for program participation and referrals.
• Analyze situations and take necessary actions to provide crisis intervention.
• Provide oral and written orientation to individuals regarding the program and responsibilities.
• Assess needs and make decisions regarding the delivery of the appropriate individual, group, and/or family counseling, treatment, transition, and discharge planning.
• Initiate transition/discharge planning with individuals at the earliest possible point.
• Utilize counseling skills to evaluate/address substance abuse, mental health, or co\-occurring issues.
• Develop Person\-Centered Individual Treatment/Service Plans and ongoing reviews.
• Maintain and input notes in WestCare Tennessee tracking systems.
• Conduct random drug screens on individuals as required.
• Facilitate and participate in Peer Reviews of individual files.
• Monitor and assess individuals’ behavior and provide direct counseling services.
• Review individual records for clinical accuracy and provide credentialing as needed.
• Attend necessary monthly integrated staff team meetings.
• Maintain strong professional relationship boundaries with individuals served.
• Maintain strong professional relationship boundaries with organizations/ community agencies who refer individuals to WestCare Tennessee.
• Submit weekly report to Project Director.
• Work closely with Project Director, Research Assistant, and WestCare Foundation Evaluation team regarding the collection of data and reporting of program outcomes.
• Attend in\-person and virtual program conferences and meetings, community meetings, and events as deemed necessary.
• Will engage and complete the required WestCare Tennessee eLearning, and any other program related trainings.

Essential Qualifications:

*Certifications/Licenses:*

• Certification or be eligible for certification as a Drug and Alcohol Counselor is
preferred.

*Education:*

• Bachelor’s degree in social work, Psychology, or a related field with at least two years or more of counseling experience for Substance Use Disorder (SUD) and/or sever mental illness (SMI).

*Experience and Competencies:*

• Previous experience collaborating with individuals with a SUD/ Opioid Use Disorder (OUD)/Coo\-Occurring Disorder (COD) is
preferred.
• At least two years or more of counseling experience for Substance Use Disorder (SUD) and/or sever mental illness (SMI) is
preferred.
• Must be capable of obtaining and interpreting information regarding the individual’s biopsychosocial needs and is knowledgeable about alcohol and other drug disorders.
• Must possess knowledge and competency to understand an individual’s chemical dependency, substance abuse, and personality dynamics, including cultural and criminal sub\-cultures.
• Must have experience in developing schedules for groups and facilitating group sessions.
• Must possess excellent documentation and communication skills.
• Must be culturally/ linguistically sensitive to populations served.
• Ability to exercise good judgment and discretion.
• Ability to adhere to the standard of ethical conduct and confidentiality.
• Ability to work well in a team environment.
• Ability to operate a computer and complete documents in Microsoft Office program formats.
• Ability to respond as needed to crises in an efficient manner.
• Ability to complete work tasks within scheduled work hours and on time.
• Ability to work in different program systems in providing day to day operations.
• Must possess a valid driver's license and have the ability to obtain and maintain WestCare vehicle insurance.

Working Conditions:

• Work is primarily performed in an office or indoor setting.
• Some travel will be required to trainings and conferences.
• Local travel is associated with participating in stakeholder meetings and other potential meetings to fulfill the requirements of the Supported Employment grant.

Essential Physical and Mental Demands of the Job

The employee must be able to perform the following essential duties and activities with or

without accommodation:

Physical Demands:

• Requires mobility and physical activity: Having an adequate range of body motion and mobility to work in an office or outdoor environment including standing and walking (even and uneven surfaces), sitting for extended periods of time, bending, twisting, reaching, balancing, occasional lifting and carrying of up to 50 pounds. Use of computer and telephone systems is required which includes coordination of eye and hand, and proper utilization by the hands (typing, writing, and working with files).
• Requires talking: Expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word. Talking is required to impart oral information to employees, the public, and in those activities in which the employee is required to convey detailed or important spoken instructions to others accurately, loudly, or promptly.
• Requires hearing: Hearing is required to receive and communicate detailed information through oral communication.
• Requires seeing: Clarity of vision including proper eyewear at 20 inches or less and at distance.
• The normal work routine involves no exposure to human blood, body fluids or tissues. However, exposure or potential exposure may be required as a condition of employment. Appropriate personal protective equipment will be readily available to every employee.

Mental Demands:

• Requires the ability to collect and analyze complex numerical and written data and verbal information to reach logical conclusions.
• Requires the ability to work and cooperate with co\-workers, managers, and the public at all levels to exchange ideas, information, instructions, and opinions.