Counselor Intern - Outpatient

SUMMARY: Under the direction of the Clinical Supervisor, the counselor intern is responsible for maintaining charts on his/her caseload. The counselor intern is responsible for the treatment of those clients assigned to their caseload, providing all necessary services, and referral services. The counselor is responsible for getting authorization for each client as needed in NJSAMS.

JOB REQUIREMENTS:

• Assessing the counseling needs of the clients.

• Assessing clients using the ASI or other standardized clinical interview tool, and

• Determining the appropriate level of care according to ASAM Criteria.

• Obtaining previous records that are relevant to the current treatment episode.

• Unless clinically contraindicated, collaborating with the client to develop a written treatment plan that includes goals and measurable objectives, and is client centered, recovery oriented. (The director of substance use counseling shall develop, monitor and provide the client and treatment team a written schedule to update each client treatment plan(s) in order to ensure clients' needs are met.)

• Providing the substance use counseling services specified in the client treatment plan.

• Reviewing clients throughout the treatment episode according to the ASAM Criteria, to determine the need for continued services, transfer, or discharge/transfer.

• Reviewing and, where necessary, revising the client treatment plan to address ongoing problems.

• Developing a client discharge/transfer plan to ensure movement to the appropriate levels of care.

• Contact, case consultation if necessary, and coordination with referral sources, (for example, mental health treatment providers, criminal justice agencies, schools, employers, DCPP).

• Participating as a member of a multidisciplinary team for assigned clients.

• Providing active case consultation.

• Documenting all counseling and education services, assessments, reassessments, referrals and follow-up in the client's clinical record, and providing appropriate signatures and dating of such entries, including those made in electronic records.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Responsible for completing the ASI, TPR, authorizations and progress notes in accordance with OPMM policy and grant requirements.

• Conducts individual/group counseling sessions as required by grant requirements.

• Participates in training and education workshops, both in-service and external; as directed by the supervisor and clinical director.

• Communicates regularly with the unit supervisor and keeps him/her up to date, informing supervisor of any unusual incidents and completes appropriate documentation.

• Responsible for gathering current materials and relevant information for the purpose of conducting educational/didactic lectures.

• Maintains departmental records and ensures confidentiality of departmental and client records in accordance with state, federal and HIPPA regulations.

• Knows and adheres to policy and procedures of JBRC and the unit.

• Follows departmental procedures for use of time records and reporting absences.

• Assists with monitoring U/A specimens for clients and external referral sources.

• Establishes and maintains a positive and cooperative working relationship with outside agencies.

• Performs other related duties as assigned by Clinical Supervisor and other management as required.

• Responsible for being a member of the multidisciplinary team as assigned to caseload.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Ability to gather relevant history from client regarding drug use using appropriate interview techniques.

• Ability to deliver service in a way that is responsive, respectful, caring and helpful while maintaining confidentiality.

• Ability to establish and maintain a positive and cooperative working relationship with all employees.

• Capable of explaining to the client the rationale for the use of assessment techniques in order to facilitate understanding.

• Capable of developing a diagnostic evaluation of the client's substance use and any coexisting conditions based on the results of all assessments in order to provide an integrated approach to treatment planning based on the client's strengths, weaknesses and identified problems and needs.

• Ability to identify and rank problems based on individual client needs in the written treatment plan.

• Capable of formulating agreed upon immediate and long-term goals using behavioral terms in the written treatment plan.

• Ability to identify the treatment methods and resources to be utilized as appropriate for the individual client.

• Knowledgeable in techniques to assist the client, group and family in examining the client's behavior.

• Ability to interact with the client in an appropriate therapeutic manner.

• Capable of coordinating services for client care.

• Capable of recognizing the elements of the client crisis and implementing an immediate course of action appropriate to the crisis, while enhancing overall treatment by utilizing crisis events with documentation.

• Knowledgeable in methadone information and capable of presenting to the client through formal and/or informal processes.

• Ability to match client needs and/or problems to appropriate resources.

• Capable of preparing reports and relevant records integrating available information to facilitate the continuum of care. Ability to chart pertinent ongoing information pertaining to the client, while utilizing relevant information from written documents for client care.

• Knowledge of client HIPPA confidentiality, grievance, and appeals process and educating client in use of such.

• Ability to be respectful of diverse cultures, ethnic, and religious backgrounds.

QUALIFICATIONS:

High School Diploma or equivalent

Must be pursuing CADC, LCADC, LSW, LAC and obtain credentials after three years of employment