Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Counselor

Job Code: SUD - 114
Revision Date: January 12, 2024

Starting Salary: $21.52 hourly; $44,768 annually
FLSA: Non-Exempt

Overview

We are an agency committed to innovative behavioral health services in trauma-informed care that promote healing and recovery to instill a sense of empowerment and foster a lifelong sense of resilience.

General Description

The purpose of this job is to screen clients for substance use issues and determine if the client meets TDI criteria for substance use treatment and DSM-5 criteria for a substance use diagnosis. Clients that are identified with co-occurring mental issues will be referred to the proper clinic. The incumbent conducts outreach activities to the community and provide drug education and information on the substance use treatment services that are available and information on the dangers of mood-altering chemicals that threaten the mental, physical and spiritual health of our community. This class works under close to general supervision according to set procedures but determines how or when to complete tasks.

Duties and Responsibilities

The functions listed below are those that represent the majority of the time spent working in this position. Management may assign additional functions related to the type of work of the position as necessary.

• Performs screenings, assessments, referrals and follow-ups to patients.
• Documents client's information according to Agency Policies.
• Prepares reports of screenings and/or assessments outcomes for referral sources.
• Participates in outreach programs in the community.
• Conducts individual and group sessions on substance use to patients.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements

Requires an Associate's Degree in Health or Human Services, Social Services, Rehabilitation, Emergency Management or related field, supplemented by one (1) year of experience as a chemical dependency or mental health counselor or closely related field; or possession of any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities. Requires to be certified.

Required Knowledge and Abilities

Knowledge of trauma-informed theories, principles, and practices (includes multi-faceted understanding of concepts such as community trauma, intergenerational and historical trauma, parallel processes, and universal precautions), preferred.

Physical Demands

Performs sedentary work that involves walking or standing some of the time and involves exerting up to 10 pounds of force on a regular and recurring basis or sustained keyboard operations.

Unavoidable Hazards (Work Environment)

Involves routine and frequent exposure to:

• Bright/dim light; Dusts and pollen.
• Other extreme hazards not listed above.

Special Certifications and Licenses

• Requires a Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor (LCDC) registered in the state of Texas.
• Requires a Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor (LCDC) or counselor-intern*

• Must possess and maintain a valid state Driver's License with an acceptable driving record.
  

• Must be able to pass a TB, criminal background and drug screen.

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Compliance

Emergence Health Network is an Equal Opportunity Employer. ADA requires Emergence Health Network to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified persons with disabilities. Prospective and current employees are encouraged to discuss ADA accommodations with management.

Other Job Characteristics

• Staffing requirements, including criteria that staff have diverse disciplinary backgrounds, have necessary State required license and accreditation, and are culturally and linguistically trained to serve the needs of the clinic's patient population.
• Credentialed, certified, and licensed professionals with adequate training in person-centered, family centered, trauma informed, culturally-competent and recovery-oriented care.

Note: This Class Description does not constitute an employment agreement between the Emergence Health Network and an employee and is subject to change by the Emergence Health Network as its needs change.

*Qualified Credentialed Counselor (QCC)--A licensed chemical dependency counselor or one of the practitioners listed below who is licensed and in good standing in the State of Texas and has at least 1,000 hours of documented experience treating substance-related disorders:

(A) licensed professional counselor (LPC);

(B) licensed master social worker (LMSW);

(C) licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT);

(D) licensed psychologist;

(E) licensed physician;

(F) licensed physician's assistant;

(G) certified addictions registered nurse (CARN); or

(H) advanced practice nurse practitioner recognized by the Board of Nurse Examiners as a clinical nurse specialist or nurse practitioner with a specialty in psych-mental health (APN-P/MH).