Substance Use Specialist - Full-Time; 4413-607-N

Substance Abuse Counselor II

For over 125 years, Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens has been providing quality social services to the neighborhoods of Brooklyn and Queens, and currently offers 160-plus programs and services for children, youth, adults, seniors, and those struggling with mental illness.

The Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) delivers comprehensive and effective services to individuals who are diagnosed with SMI and whose needs have not been well met by more traditional service delivery approaches. ACT individuals often have a treatment history that has been characterized by frequent use of psychiatric hospitalization and emergency rooms, involvement with the criminal justice system, alcohol/substance use, homelessness, and lack of engagement in traditional site-based services.

As a member of the CCNS ACT Team, the Substance Abuse Counselor II will provide intensive in-home and community-based services to individuals living with severe mental illness, who have a treatment history characterized by frequent use of psychiatric hospitalization and emergency rooms, involvement with the criminal justice system, alcohol/substance abuse, and lack of engagement in traditional outpatient services. Under the supervision of the Clinical Director, the Substance Abuse Counselor II will utilize a person-centered planning process to provide rehabilitation, case management and support services to individuals served by the ACT Team.

The Substance Abuse Counselor II will lead the team's integrated dual diagnosis treatment (IDDT) with the tasks of other team members. The Substance Abuse Counselor II will conduct assertive outreach and engagement, use motivational interviewing and stage-wise treatment interventions that target an individual's readiness for change.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Work collaboratively with ACT team members and function as a vital part of an interdisciplinary and multi-disciplinary community-based treatment team.
• Responsible for providing services to clients in their home environment, community settings, provider offices and additional locations as needed.
• Responsible for providing direct support services to clients with psychiatric diagnoses, co-occurring substance use, chronic physical health problems and complex social needs.
• Complete the ACT Comprehensive Assessment and lead the assessment of the substance abuse related components of assessment.
• During the assessment obtains information: a) to establish the degree risk for substance use and associated harmful behaviors, and interventions required to promote progress towards recovery, and b) lead the ACT team in daily meetings and weekly clinical meetings around substance abuse issues and incorporate findings into service plans.
• Identify treatment individuals should receive based on severity of substance use diagnosis, stage of change and immediate needs; recommend treatment objectives for the individual's service plan.
• Provide integrated dual diagnosis treatment (IDDT) to individuals served. Conduct weekly IDDT treatment group; run substance use support and Relapse Prevention groups.
• In conjunction with Psychiatrist or Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner, provide Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) options to treat substance use, prevent overdose and sustain recovery.
• Provide individual therapeutic support around substance use, relapse prevention, psychoeducation, and harm reduction based on motivational interviewing and cognitive behavioral responses to substance use.
• Provide therapeutic support in a person/family-centered, strengths-based, recovery-oriented, trauma-informed, and culturally sensitive manner.
• Direct standards for toxicology screens, along with team psychiatrist and in accordance with Assisted Outpatient Treatment (AOT) orders.
• Outreach and network with inpatient/residential detox and rehabilitative treatment centers.
• Act as an advocate and liaison for clients in securing emergency detox and rehabilitation care, and other community supports that promote integrated substance use or dual disorder treatment.
• Monitor treatment and provide follow up visits, treatment for co-occurring substance use disorders and respond to crisis situations.
• Provide guidance, assistance, and referrals to enable clients to maintain a life free from drug use both during and after completion of treatment.
• Make visits to hospitalized clients to coordinate care. Provide advocacy for hospitalized clients. Assist with follow up care to support discharge planning, transition back to community and promote complete recovery.
• Meet monthly required levels of treatment contacts with at least 80% of contacts occurring in the community.
• Complete and signs progress notes, assessments, care plans, incident reports, and other required documentation in accordance to the New York State Office of Mental Health (OMH) regulations, the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) guidelines, and Medicaid billing standards and regulations.
• Provide on-site crisis…