Substance Use Specialist

About Start Corporation

Start Corporation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded in 1984. Our Mission is to promote opportunities, which enhance the self-sufficiency of people to empower them to live and function independently.

Our New Orleans ACT team is looking to hire a Substance Use Specialist.

• Bachelor or Master’s Degree in social services field (preferred)
• Minimum of one year of specialized training or supervision experience in populations with substance use (required)
• Be over 18 years of age (required)
• Possess a valid driver’s license (required)
• No restrictions or adverse actions that would disqualify for Medicaid or other billing (required)

• Communicates respectfully and effectively and establishes professional relationships through active listening and demonstration of empathy and positive regard.
• Promotes recovery, independence, and personal choice for participants.
• Demonstrates knowledge of behavioral health symptoms, interventions, and impact.
• Maintains professional boundaries and operates within agency / ethical guidelines.
• Knowledge of agency and community resources and referral processes.

• Assists clients in identifying strengths, needs, and realistic goals to develop a treatment plan to address behavioral health and co-occurring disorders.
• Accurately identifies risk and responds appropriately.
• Effectively teaches daily living skills, social skills, and household management skills.
• Participates as part of a multidisciplinary team providing substance abuse counseling, support, and resources for referrals when appropriate.
• Conducts in a manner of professionalism that is conducive to recovery from mental illness, co-occurring disorders and overall wellness.
• Provides supportive services for clients and arranges for the provision of services from community resources based on individualized treatment plans.
• Participates in setting treatment plan goals/objectives with clients within 30 days of admission and updated every 3 months.
• Conducts co-occurring groups and treatment as outlined in the ACT Fidelity Manual with supervision of Team Lead and other licensed professional staff.
• Performs regular case maintenance activities including documenting actions, making narrative entries, preparing necessary reports and/or social summaries, etc.
• Consults with facility personnel and administrative field personnel; collects and analyzes data to identify needs for the assigned special services program within the particular service area.
• Maintains a clear driving record in order to be able to drive company vehicles to provide transportation to clients.
• Performs any other duties as assigned by the Program Director.

Benefits include:
Medical, dental, and vision insurance; disability and life insurance; paid time off; 13 paid holidays per year for regular full-time employees; and a 403(b) retirement plan with employer matching.