Job Posting OPEN
Counselor Assistant - Inpatient
PCN: Multi
Classification: Full Time; Hourly Non-Exempt; 12-month
Department: Residential Programs
Reports to: Residential Program Director
QUALIFICATIONS: Minimum of HS Diploma or GED required. Must meet additional training requirements including twelve (12) hours of Introductory Training in the Addictions. Relevant residential experience and/or experience in substance use disorders/mental health treatment desired. Competency with computers required. Foundational understanding or familiarity with crisis interventions, working with special populations, medication assisted treatment, trauma-informed care, quality improvement, and OASAS policies and procedures is helpful. Weekend coverage required.
The Counselor Assistant is part of an interdisciplinary team and provides direct services to patients in a manner that is person-centered, strength-based, and trauma-informed. This role serves as a counseling support for residents. The Counseling Assistant has regular day-to-day contact with residents and plays a significant role in the recovery process. Successful candidates will demonstrate advanced communication and organizational skills as well as excellent reasoning and interpersonal skills.
Recovering people applying as staff must have a minimum of two years free of alcohol and drug use.
JOB DUTIES
- Carry out direct care functions in accordance with the OASAS Counselor Assistant scope of practice;
- Assist with the admissions and discharge process, ensuring thorough safety checks of new admissions belongings (including completion of logging an inventory of patient belongings and ensuring that clients are properly oriented to the program);
- Perform minor maintenance/cleaning, such as preparing beds for new admissions;
- Promote a safe environment free of substances and maintain awareness of resident and visitor whereabouts at all times;
- Perform daily safety inspections of the facility and report any identified problems to the Program Director;
- Model and provide pro-social behavioral interventions at all times, using empathy and positive reinforcement to promote program rules and resolve dispute between residents;
- Liaise between residents, counselors, nursing, and administrative staff;
- Monitor patient visitation sessions and patient scheduled phone calls;
- Carry out and supervise patient activities that will support goal attainment through natural interactions that foster residents' social, cognitive, and behavioral skills development;
- Assist in the coordination, training, supervision, and management of resident activities with respect to treatment and recovery goals;
- Maintain awareness of individual resident treatment goals and report alterations or idiosyncrasies in resident behaviors to appropriate personnel;
- Prepare and maintain records and case files for each resident, including documentation such as residents' personal and eligibility information, services provided, narratives of resident contacts, or relevant correspondence;
- Conduct screening, orientation, case management, and basic crisis response;
- With intensive supervision, participate in the intake process, psycho-education, conduct referrals, care coordination, reporting and recordkeeping;
- Facilitate activities of daily living, community meetings, and engagement;
- Co-facilitate individual or group sessions to help residents overcome dependencies, deal with substance abuse, recover from illness, and adjust to life or make changes (often involves overlap with mental or physical illness, poverty, unemployment, or physical abuse);
- Participate in ongoing training around crisis interventions, working with special populations, medication assisted treatment, trauma-informed care, quality improvement, agency policies and procedures (additional subject areas appropriate for training may from time to time be identified by OASAS);
- May assist in arranging transportation for residents to/from appointments;
- Assist with contraband checks, as necessary;
- Participate in interdisciplinary team meetings, as needed, to ensure consistent, accurate flow of information, agency policies and safety procedures, and provide relevant perspective and recommendations as appropriate;
- Maintain a cooperative relationship among health care teams by communicating information, responding to requests, and participating in team problem-solving methods;
- Maintain confidentiality and appropriate boundaries;
- Other duties as directed and assigned.
Compensation: Competitive; $20.00-22.00/hr commensurate with experience;
Excellent benefits include PTO, Medical, Dental, Vision, FSA, HSA, Employee Assistance Program, Pet Insurance, Identity Protection, Life Insurance, Long-Term Disability, Short-Term Disability, 403(b) Retirement, 403(b) employer matching, and exciting opportunities for professional development.
Alcohol & Drug Council of Tompkins County is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of age, race, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, political affiliation, marital status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, genetic information, amnesty status, veteran status, or disability.
Alcohol & Drug Council of Tompkins County, Inc. is a STAR LRP-approved facility and a Certified Living Wage Employer