Substance abuse/AOD Counselor - Full-time

JOB TITLE: Substance abuse/AOD Counselor

DEPARTMENT: First Chance Sobering Station/Detox

REPORTS TO: Program Manager

POSITION STATUS: Relief, Part-Time, Full-Time, Non-Exempt

SALARY: $24-$26 per hour

DESCRIPTION:

StarVista is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that has helped people of all ages throughout San Mateo County navigate life challenges for over 55 years. Our mental health, crisis intervention, youth housing, substance use, and early childhood services help thousands of individuals each year. StarVista's services are rooted in strength-based, holistic practices and center diversity, equity and inclusion to ensure anyone who comes to StarVista can access support. StarVista's values of respect, passion, partnerships, accountability, innovation and integrity foster an agency culture of support and growth.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION:

StarVista First Chance Sobering Station and Detox Program will utilize the Seeking Safety treatment model focused on trauma-informed client treatment of clients presenting with addiction and mental health disorders. The Model organizes our treatment and client interventions. Seeking Safety is an inclusive model because it is a way of guiding leaders, staff, clients, and families to share the same language. Clinical staff members assist clients in their recovery from substance use and co-occurring disorders through counseling, education, role modeling, and empathetic trauma-informed support using the Seeking Safety framework.

POSITION PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVES

Provides supportive supervision, counseling education and referral services for individuals at both the First Chance Sobering Station and First Chance South Detox. Provides ethically appropriate, theoretically sound, culturally informed, and holistic interventions to address client issues.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Attend FC staff meetings and trainings as well as other meetings as assigned by Program Manager.
• Conduct intake interviews with all clients brought to the facility. Follow all program guidelines in accepting and orienting a client.
• Provide supportive supervision while clients are in the facility. Check on each client in an unobtrusive manner as assigned. Accommodate client needs for nourishment when appropriate and assure client's comfort while in the facility. Wash client clothing when needed and offer donated clothing and other articles.
• Follow all program guidelines in the event a client walks away, is disruptive and unruly, or is in need of medical attention.
• Maintain confidential records and case notes documenting interventions with clients. Maintain all confidentiality laws and regulations with regards to HIPAA standards.
• Prepare incident reports before the end of the shift for review by the Program Manager.
• Notify Program Manager or Department Director (in the absence of the Program Manager) in case of an emergency or a situation requiring urgent consultation and/or supervisory assistance. Call the agency CEO if the Program Manager and Department Director are unavailable for any reason.
• Follow all program guidelines in exiting a client from the facility. Request exit interviews and consent to call back from all clients. Conduct exit interviews with clients who consent.
• Obtain written permission to call clients for follow up when the client is amenable.
• Provide referral packets, information and assist clients with needed transportation, information, phone numbers and other issues related to their stay at First Chance.
• Assist clients interested in ongoing treatment services to obtain appropriate program referrals whenever possible. Provide phone numbers and addresses, contact information and phone calls to establish linkages to needed services.
• Make appropriate referrals to additional resources when needed including but not limited to mental health counseling, family counseling, housing services and other social or medical services.
• Complete all required client paperwork and program documentation. Accurately enter appropriate information thoroughly into the computer.
• Read and initial all incoming memos. Direct questions to the Program Manager.
• Assist officers and other referral sources in understanding the First Chance Program as needed. Refer questions to the Program Manager or Department Director when appropriate.
• Conduct a thorough walk through of the facility at the beginning of your shift, noting cleaning that needs to be done and any maintenance issues that need to be brought to the Program manager's attention. Notify the Program Manager of maintenance or regular cleaning needs.
• Brief the ongoing counselor on incidents that occurred during your shift and provide a warm hand-off on the clients currently in the facility.
• Maintain cleanliness of the facility while on shift. Check bathrooms for spot cleaning throughout shift and after each client exits. Clean bathrooms thoroughly after all clients have exited. Strip bed, wash linen and clean/sanitize beds after each client exits and prior to a new client using the bed and/or linen. Check kitchen area for cleanliness and clean as needed or at least one time per shift. Vacuum as indicated on the cleaning schedule. Initial on the appropriate document after each cleaning activity is completed.
• Make call back phone calls as available per program policy.
• Meet with Program Manager at least once a month.
• Provide on the job training and support to new staff members as requested by the Program Coordinator. Alert Program Coordinator to relevant issues during the training of new staff members including but not limited to observed strengths of the new staff as well as possible additional training needs.
• Assist in required data collection, management, documentation and reporting in a timely manner.
• Follow all mandated reporting laws including but not limited to child and elder abuse reporting requirements.
• Participate actively in quality assurance efforts.
• Maintain all appropriate/required certifications and continuing education requirements etc. as mandated by the industry.
• Request immediate assistance of on-site program staff in emergency situations requiring movement or repositioning clients or other physically exerting actions.
• Perform other duties as delegated by the Program Manager.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:

• Demonstrable and verifiable counseling skills and experience in providing successful direct services to clients including harm reduction, motivational interviewing, and substance abuse assessment and intervention with individuals, groups, and families.
• Strong ethical principles reflected in practice, including a thorough understanding of client confidentiality requirements.
• Understanding of diversity issues, willingness to explore self in relation to these issues, and ability to provide culturally informed therapeutic services to diverse clientele.
• Strong organizational and communication skills.
• Ability to function as a member of a multidisciplinary team with diplomacy and professionalism.
• Ability to work as a team member to accomplish tasks supporting the agency's mission.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• High school diploma or GED. Interest and/or experience in working with individuals under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol. Demonstrable ability to approach clients with sensitive and non-judgmental stance, work closely with peers and supervisors, behave ethically, and provide clinically appropriate interventions with solid boundaries and work in support of program and agency efforts.
• CADAC or other State of California approved certification. Counselor may be registered and plan to be certified within 1 year.
• Must be amenable to education and supervision and willing to communicate appropriately and effectively with peers and supervisors.
• Demonstrable and verifiable skills, abilities, and qualities commensurate with specific position requirements.
• Available to work at a 24/7 facility and accept schedule as assigned
• Maturity and professionalism, with a sincere desire to work with recovering individuals.
• Basic computer skills in word processing, e-mail, and Internet use.
• Access to transportation.

BENEFITS: *Benefits applicable only to benefit eligible employees 20+hours per week on a prorated basis

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Basic Life & AD&D
• Flexible Spending Account / Dependent Care Spending Account
• Employee Assistance Program
• Retirement Plan (non-matching)
• Sick Time
• Vacation Time
• Personal Time
• Holiday Pay
• Birthday Floating Holiday

We encourage you to apply if you think you would be a great fit but do not meet the preferred education/experience level. We welcome folks from all backgrounds and lived experiences and would love to learn more about how you may be a great fit for this role.

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