Job title: Counselor
Classification: Exempt under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)
Division: Opioid Treatment Program - OTP
Reports to: Clinical Director/Clinical Supervisor/Director of Substance Abuse

Summary/objective:
The Counselor role oversees all aspects of a patient’s treatment. Responsible for the coordination and continuity of care fromadmission through discharge and follow-up of the patients. The Counselor role also promotes performance improvement and service delivery by providing comprehensive psychological therapy directed towards addressing the causes and effects of the patient’s addiction by providing substance abuse counseling for assigned patients including family and group therapy. 

Essential functions:

• Ensure the completion of patient databases, treatment plans, progress notes, discharge summaries, and other essential documentation in accordance with applicable federal and state standards and agency policies and procedures.
• Provide patients with orientation regarding objectives of the program, phase system requirements, rules and regulations, sanctions, hours of services, patient rights, and additional information to help patients adjust to the program.
• Assure each patient is assessed and placed according to the treatment phases in accordance with Federal and State standards and agency policies.
• Assure all clinical documentation and patient charts updated in accordance with established policies and procedures.
• Counsel patients in crisis situations by identifying patient resources and coping abilities to help patients cope with and resolve crisis.
• Counsel patients who have refused to comply with specific program requirements toincrease patient awareness of consequences of noncompliance.
• Arrange referrals to other agencies and resources in the community when appropriate.
• Perform treatment plan reviews.
• Participate in case conferences and case reviews in accordance with established policies and procedures.
• Develop and increase knowledge of federal, state, and agency regulations regarding confidentiality, methadone treatment, and substance abuse counseling certification.
• Submit all internal and external correspondence to supervisor for review and approval.
• Complete intakes, facilitate group counseling sessions.
• Collection and testing of urine/swab drug screening following proper chain of custody.
• Secure necessary documentation from patients, when appropriate, to ensure compliance with established policies and procedures.
• Submit monthly and quarterly statistical reports to supervisor.
• Attend team meetings and complete all training courses timely as required.
• Other duties as assigned.

Competency (knowledge, skills, and abilities):

• Complies with organizational policies, procedures, performance improvement initiatives and maintains organizational and industry policies regarding confidentiality.
• Adhere to all applicable HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) and 42 CFR Part 2 guidelines to ensure confidentiality of patient information.
• Knowledge of legal policies and regulations in the healthcare industry. 
• Commitment to valuing diversity, contributing to an inclusive working, and learning environment.
• Encourages and builds mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among teammates by exemplifying the company Core Values of Compassion, Accountability, Respect, Ethics.
• Ability to exercise good judgment and remain calm in crisis situations in a professional manner.
• Incident response and crisis de-escalation skills.
• Develops constructive and cooperative working relationships with teammates maintaining professional boundaries, being respectful while maintaining a rational detachment. 
• Exhibits therapeutic rapport with patients maintaining professional boundaries, being respectful of personal space, giving patients direct attention while maintaining rational detachment. 
• Ability to empathize with patients and their families. 
• Ability to promote collaboration and inclusion between departments to provide excellent patient care experience. 
• Excellent written, communication and people-centric skills. 
• Strong organizational and time management skills and the ability to prioritize responsibilities.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office Applications. 
• Working knowledge of EMR/EHR systems. 
• Ability to utilize a wide variety of office technology and tools to collect / enter / process file patient records and documentation.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, rapid growth environment. 
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.

CA (California) Specific Requirements:

• Possess an associate degree or approved counselor certification courses, license, or certification necessary to provide counseling services to our patient population. Note: Approval of qualifications and the review of supporting documentation will be evaluated for approval.
• Maintain compliance with the requirements for continuing education hours and/or units (CEH or CEU) as determined by the Department of Alcohol and Drug Programs and/or other regulatory agencies.
• Possess knowledge, skills, and abilities as it relates to: The evaluation of patients, treatment planning, and counseling services; The use, abuse and treatment of illicit drugs and addiction; Organization and time management; Communication skills both written and verbal; Professional demeanor and customer service practices; Competence with Microsoft computer programs.
• Complete initial training as a counselor trainee.
• Possess counselor registration/certification by a “Certifying Organization: recognized by the Department of Alcohol and Drug Programs. Proof of registration is required immediately once employed with a California Alcohol and Drug Program certifying body. Employees must be registered prior to providing any counseling services per the DHCS (Department of Health Care Services). Qualifications and the review of support documentation will be evaluated for approval.