Addiction Counselor – Level II

Any individual working in a NYS Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS)-Certified Treatment Program or newly-hired into the System in the title of Addiction Counselor in a NYC Health + Hospitals health care setting must have proof of completion of OASAS “Supporting Recovery with Medications for Addiction Treatment (MAT)” training.
For Assignment to Level II

• Valid CASAC – Level 1 Certificate issued by OASAS; and one (1) year of full-time, progressively responsible experience performing SUD assessment, treatment planning, individual and group counseling, case and care management and other functions related to SUD prevention and treatment in a SUD treatment program; or
• Is otherwise considered a QHP, as described in “2” of Qualification Requirements for Level I above, and has one (1) year of full-time, progressively responsible experience performing SUD assessment, treatment planning, individual and group counseling, case and care management and other functions related to SUD prevention and treatment in a SUD treatment program; or
• Satisfactory equivalent of education, training, and experience. However, all must have a CASAC Level 1 Certificate issued by OASAS or meet the definition of a QHP as described in “2” above.

Purpose of Position
:

The Addiction Counselor serves as an integral member of the multidisciplinary team and participates in and/or leads the development and implementation of clinically sound, culturally relevant, and medically monitored treatment programs, case management, care coordination and other supportive and consultative services for patients in Substance Use Disorder (SUD) treatment, in a sensitive and caring manner, and promotes the notion of recovery and self-sufficiency, as a goal of treatment.

Ensures optimal utilization of resources and services and compliance with all applicable local, state, and federal rules and regulations and NYC Health + Hospitals standards of care to improve outcomes and the patient experience.

Under supervision, participates in and/or performs functions related to counseling, diagnostics, treatment, treatment planning, rehabilitation, assessment, intervention and other supportive services for patients in SUD treatment. The following are essential duties and responsibilities for Addiction Counselors:

Essential Duties and Responsibilities
:

• Conducts initial screenings and assessments of patients, and performs ongoing toxicology screenings to obtain pertinent information about SUD and Co-Occurring Disorder (COD) and develop psycho-social histories of patients to identify and isolate potential SUD and other specific patient problems; formulates appropriate diagnostic impressions; prepares accurate screening, intake, and assessment reports.
• Facilitates and/or co-facilitates individual, group, and family counseling for patients admitted to a SUD treatment program, provides psycho-education, and conducts skills training classes.
• Makes decisions and maintains required records regarding appropriate Level of Care (LOC) using patient criteria tools, such as LOC for alcohol and drug treatment referral (LOCADTR), a patient placement criterion system, to ensure that a patient in need of chemical dependence services is placed in the most clinically appropriate level of care.
• Develops and continually monitors treatment/recovery plans in collaboration with patients and members of the multidisciplinary team, including establishment of short-term and long-term treatment goals, objectives, and specific interventions. Initiates discharge planning criteria, accurately records treatment plans that are consistent with established standards and applicable administrative rules, and documents treatment outcomes, using accepted methods and instruments.
• Participates in the evaluation of treatment progress and monitoring of patients’ recovery plans. Prepares and maintains confidential case records and files and records progress of patient in relation to treatment goals and objectives.
• Participates in relevant staff meetings and discussions and documents services provided in case records and files in a timely and accurate manner and in compliance with…