Substance Use Disorder Counselor - Knolls

Position Summary:
The Counselor is an important part of high-quality behavioral health services provided to both inpatients or/and outpatients of Carle Health. Foremost among the responsibilities listed below is the delivery of competent and professional services that are in accordance with the overall institutional goals and objectives, regulatory standards and requirements and their own professional ethical standards. Reflects a commitment to compassionate, competent care delivered by the interdisciplinary team. Care is provided through a therapeutic relationship with the patient and family. A spirit of inquiry is encouraged and supported. Evidence-driven protocols are utilized to assure reliable and consistent care. The patients to be served may include adolescent, adult and geriatric.

Qualifications:
CERTIFICATION & LICENSURE REQUIREMENTS
Must obtain IAODAPCA certification, Illinois Licensed Professional Counselor, Illinois Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, or Illinois Licensed Clinical Social Worker within 2 years of start date in position and must maintain licensure or certification.
CPR certification within 60 days of hire date.

EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS
1-3 years of experience in a structured, supervised treatment setting may be substituted for the education requirement

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
If chemical dependent or co-dependent, must have two years sobriety from mood altering chemicals and be actively participating in AA, NA or Al-Anon
Use of usual and customary equipment used to perform essential functions of the position.

SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE
Writes, reads, comprehends and speaks fluent English. Multicultural sensitivity. Microsoft Office- basic computer skills. Customer/patient focused. Critical thinking skills using independent judgment in making decisions. Demonstrated skill, organization and efficiency in performing required patient activities. Must possess conceptual knowledge of chemical dependency treatment, continuum of care options and the legal system impacting patients.

Essential Functions:

• Clinical Excellence/Patient Care* Provides evaluation, counseling and therapeutic services to chemically dependent patients/families assessing patient's social, psychological, emotional, financial, cultural problems and chemical abuse history. * Makes recommendations for treatment and acts as a liaison and patient/family advocate with the treatment network. * Maintains open communication with referral sources, families, or others involved in the patient's treatment regarding the patient's progress, discharge plans and aftercare plans.* Supports the patient and family throughout treatment by maintaining open communication with referral resources, patient and family. Assists the patient and family in working towards positive outcomes.* Coordinates the patient's care with the interdisciplinary treatment team.* Develops individual treatment plans based upon information gathered. * Facilitates programming for court ordered referrals.* Assists patient and family with adjustment to illness, motivation for treatment and realistic planning for post treatment care. Coordinates the completion of the Aftercare Plan with patient and recommends post-treatment referrals for patients.* Documents per department guidelines.* Maintains current knowledge of behavioral managed care and the pre-certification and utilization review activities necessary to obtain treatment approval.* Participates in covering weekend inpatient evaluations on a rotating basis.* Provides statistical data or special reports as required
• Development & Patient Education* Continues professional development and involvement in professional activities that enhance clinical practice by sharing knowledge through networking and research.* Participates in community education as assigned. * Serves on professional organization committees or boards as appropriate.* Assess and chooses teaching strategies and therapy modalities appropriate to the patient's and their families' age specific needs, culture, gender, readiness to learn and level of comprehension.* Consults appropriate resources within Behavioral Health Division to provide specialized education.* Demonstrates knowledge that patient and workplace safety is a priority by preventing errors, accidents and infections and reporting potential or actual concerns immediately.* Provides educational in-services as assigned.* Participates in conjoint conferences with patients, concerned persons and referral sources as appropriate.* Develops, promotes and maintains a good relationship with self-help programs such as AA, NA and Al-Anon.* Participates in mandatory education and department staff meetings, per established guidelines.* Other duties as assigned.