POSITION SUMMARY:

The Substance Use Counselor Team Leader plays a vital role by providing training and technical assistance to Substance Use Counselors regarding to the appropriate Substance Use Disorder (SUD) workflows to ensure that SUD Counselors complete work in a standardized format. The Substance Use Counselor Team Leader uses a patient centered approach and effective communication to assist patients to cope with the substance abuse and dependence issues and practical arrangements related to the patient’s illness. Effective outreach and engagement strategies that establish trust and overcome barriers resulting from isolation, stigma, and the symptoms of mental health and/or substance use problems will be utilized. A sustained support model to meet basic needs and respond to individual preferences as well as trauma-informed services that restore hope will be utilized. The Substance Use Counselor Team Leader is a member of the healthcare team providing assessments, coordination, treatment planning, information and referral to community resources and other social work services. The primary goal and offered individualized and group intensive substance use services using a multidisciplinary approach, including, but not limited to: Mental health and substance use assessment; health system navigation; housing and benefits advocacy; health coaching, referrals and brief treatment, pharmacy consultation and supportive counseling.  The Substance Use Counselor Team Leader reports to the Associate Director of Substance Use or designated Supervisor.  

SPECIFIC DUTIES:

• Provides training and technical assistance to SUD Counselors by communicating effectively by using welcoming words and proper tone of voice.
• If needed administers the SUD Counselor work schedules, completes time sheets and coordinate assignments of daily duties.
• Upon the direction of Supervisor meets regularly with Supervisor to update and review SUD Counseling practice and programs for coordination and/or modification to best meet patient needs and program process.
• Upon the direction of Supervisor  provides information and updates regarding SUD Counselors and program process via data tracking and reports.
• Upon the direction of Supervisor, Implement, monitor, and assure adherence to CMC Standardized Best Practices.
• Upon the direction of Supervisor may travel to different CMC sites to attend to SUD services or to observe and/or assist fellow SUD Counselors with the SUD process.
• Provides feedback to the SUD Center Manager and/or the Associate Director of Substance Use regarding to SUD Counselor’s work performance, so that the SUD Center Manager and/or Associate Director of Substance Use can complete performance evaluations for SUD Counselors.
• Provides feedback to the SUD Center Manager and/or the Associate Director of Substance Use regarding to SUD Counselor’s work performance and behavior that may need attention by the SUD Center Manager and/or the Associate Director of Substance Use regarding to SUD Counselor’s work performance to address the issues.
• As needed as an observer and provide feedback if needed participates in the SUD Counselor performance evaluation delivery process with the SUD Center Manager and/or the Associate Director of Substance.
• Reviews timecards independently or in conjunction with SUD Center Manager and/or the Associate Director of Substance.
• Consistently models and inspires high levels of integrity and lives up to commitments.
• Strives to develop and expand personal knowledge, and continuously helps others increase their capability to contribute to the organization.
• Meets established expectations, takes responsibility for achieving great results, and encourages others to do the same.
• Connects meaningfully with patients to build emotional engagement and patient advocacy and delivers an optimal patient experience. Motivates SUD Counselor’s and any Team Members to also deliver an optimal patient experience.
• Conducts individual and/or group counseling related to substance use, substance use treatment and recovery services.
• Performs patient and family interviews/ assessments to obtain psychosocial histories.
• Participates with the multidisciplinary treatment team in the development, implementation and evaluation of treatment or therapy approaches for patients and their families in all phases of comprehensive substance use and/or mental health programs.
• Maintains communication between patients, family, care-team and other employees utilizing appropriate channels and assists in coordinating patient linkage with substance use recovery services.
• Monitors and documents client and patient progress in substance use/mental health recovery.
• Develops and promotes interest in the substance use and/or mental health fields by speaking before community groups.
• Uses effective communication skills and motivational interviewing techniques to obtain

relevant psycho-social information from patients and families

• Identifies financial, environmental, emotional, and social factors which greatly contribute

to the condition/illness or work against the ability of the patient and family/caregiver to

benefit from medical and health care.

• Creates and implements an efficient and sure SUD recovery treatment scheme for patients and families/caregivers based on analysis of the psycho-social factors as well as the

medical illness of the patient.

• Upon direction of Supervisor may conduct home visits that would help identify the need for supportive services as appropriate. Collaborates with Care team through a multi- or interdisciplinary approach.
• Performs other duties as assigned

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

• High School Diploma or GED
• Two years of experience as a Substance Use Counselor   
• Must have an Alcohol and Drug Counselor Certificate issued by the State of California
• One to Two years of Experience providing 1-1 and Group SUD Counseling utilizing evidence base curriculum.
• Experience providing training or technical assistance to employees is highly preferred  
• Experience with Supervising Intern SUD Counselors regarding SUD Counseling responsibilities and scope of practice is highly preferred.  
• Experience utilizing Electronic Health Records
• Must possess knowledge of chemical dependency, substance use and personality dynamics of the substance user.
• Excellent Microsoft Office Program skills.
• Experience with SUD Counseling evidence base curriculum and assessment tools is highly preferred.  
• Must be in possession of a valid California Driver’s License.
• Current CPR Certificate or ability to obtain a CPR Certificate.
• Fluent Spanish preferred but not required.

PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS

            Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of principles and practices of SUD Counseling techniques, curriculum, and assessment tools.
• Knowledge of Grant functions, tracking and reporting.
• Knowledge of community resources and referral agencies
• Knowledge of group dynamics and curriculum
• Knowledge of office management principles and practices
• Skill in counseling
• Skill in interviewing and communicating to elicit information and cooperation from   
• patients
• Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with patients, staff,
• and the public
• Skill in public speaking
• Skill in facilitating support groups
• Ability to write reports, correctly reflecting intervention, and document progress
• Ability to multitask and be adaptable and flexible to ongoing change and modifications
• Listens skillfully and displays a willingness and ability to acknowledge the needs, expectations, and values of others through the use of reflective listening and empathy conveyance.  Responds to needs in ways that are helpful and beyond expectation.
• Communicate effectively by using welcoming words, proper tone of voice, appropriate body language, eye contact and smiling with every interaction.
• Ability to provide excellent customer service that is reflective of a culture that values trust and respect.

TYPICAL PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

May require sitting for long periods of time; also stooping, bending, and stretching for files and supplies.  May require lifting up to 25 pounds.  Vision must be correctable to 20/40 and hearing must be in the normal range for telephone contacts.  Requires ability to drive to outreach areas for presentations and other activities.

TYPICAL WORKING CONDITIONS:

Work is performed in an office environment.  Involves fre­quent contact with staff, patients and the public.  Some extended workdays and weekends may be required.  Work may be stressful at times.  May require contact with individuals with communicable diseases.  May encounter individuals who are violent, abusive and/or under the influence of alcohol or drugs.