Substance Use Therapist - 3344

Substance Use Therapist

SU Services - 

Full-time; 40 hours per week

 Monday - Friday; 8:00am - 5:00pm

- Tuscaloosa, AL -


Competencies:

  • Must possess a strong commitment to the treatment of clients with substance abuse issues.
  • Must be knowledgeable in cultural diversity and must be able to work well w/clients with multiple problems.
  • Must possess strong communication skills and the ability to coordinate with Indian Rivers Mental Health Center, private and public mental health facilities, local referral sources, state funded substance abuse agencies and other agency personnel.
  • Must be knowledgeable of issues and therapy techniques relating to substance use & dependence as well as issues relating to mental illness.
  • Understands diagnostic criteria for substance dependence disorder as defined in the most recent edition Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders and the dimensional criteria for placement in appropriate levels of care as defined in the most recent edition of the ASAM PPC 2r.
  • In-depth knowledge of medications: medical – purpose for usage, administration details, possible complications, side effects, interactions; psychotropic – purpose for usage, administration details, possible complications, side effects and interactions.
  • In-depth knowledge of drugs of abuse, routes of use, symptoms of intoxication and withdrawals.
  • Knowledge of substance abuse/dependence disorders, substance-induced disorders and appropriate levels of treatment.
  • In depth knowledge of physiological responses to medical illnesses and treatment and psychiatric illnesses and treatment.
  • Must be able to comprehend and maintain program standards.
  • Must possess excellent professional verbal and written communication skills.
  • Must be able to interact with clients and their families in a respectful and sensitive manner.
  • Must be able to work within the Organization to effectively serve the needs of the consumers.
  • Must be able to work with other program staff in a cooperative, supportive manner.
  • Must possess competent computer skills.

Essential Functions/Responsibilities:

  • Ensure that all assigned duties are implemented according IRMHC and DMH policies and procedures.
  • Ensure all safety, fire prevention, and health measures are followed while on duty.
  • Complete timely reporting information needed for ASAIS as identified by the immediate supervisor.
  • Maintain case load as determined by DMH standards and as directed by immediate supervisor while providing continuity of care including frequency of contact and provision of service.
  • Work in conjunction with paraprofessionals and professional staff.
  • Establish and maintain therapeutic relationships, observing professional boundaries.
  • Assist consumers through crisis situations and/or arrange for the provision of such assistance from other professionals/personal care givers and serve as an advocate for consumers.
  • Follow the DMH/DD and Medicaid standards for provision of assessment, mental health consultation, group and individual counseling, case management, crisis intervention, basic living skills, medication monitoring, and family support services.
  • Provide crisis stabilization and support services daily for Maude Whatley clients as needed.
  • Provide SA assessments to Maude Whatley clients and ensure that psychosocial assessments and treatment plans are completed at first contact with client.
  • Provide group counseling, individual counseling and case management as directed, at a minimum of once monthly contact with assigned client.
  • Ensure that case management assessments are completed within 10 days of first contact with the client.
  • Each therapist in the Substance Abuse Program has a productivity expectation that is determined by the current staffing patterns, location and demand for services.Each therapist may have a different expectation based on the schedule developed by the supervisor which establishes the optimum amount of billing based on the above criteria.
  • Ensure that the treatment plan and treatment interventions are based on needs identified by the psychosocial assessment and case management assessment.
  • Ensure that documentation is accurately completed within 24 hours.
  • Ensure that client charts are up to date and accurate, including 90 day treatment plan reviews as assigned.
  • Attend staff and team meetings as assigned.
  • Ensure safety of consumers, preserving basic human and legal rights.
  • Demonstrate appropriate and ethical behavior at all times.
  • Address any consumer concerns to the Supervisor or Program Manager.
  • Provide all necessary data as required by the center and the state.
  • Provide consultation and evaluation services to staff and general public as assigned.
  • Maintain communication and awareness of current Organization events by reading memos, emails, bulletin boards, and communication logs and respond in a timely manner.
  • Work independently and/or with teams to complete assigned tasks accurately and in a timely manner with minimum supervision.
  • Support Organizational Code of Conduct, Standards Compliance, HIPAA and Security Programs by ensuring job tasks are performed in a legal and ethical manner, assessing the work area for non-compliance and notifying the supervisor, manager, Executive Director or designee as appropriate, and maintaining training requirements and understanding that training is a required condition of employment.
  • Maintain the confidential nature of all consumer and Organization related activities by not divulging information outside the facility, discussing information within the facility on a need-to-know basis, annually signing confidentiality statement, and by referring media and general inquiries to the Executive Director.
  • Adhere to attendance and punctuality policy by allowing adequate time to arrive, clock-in and assume responsibilities at designated time, adhering to meal and break times and making timely requests for annual leave and reporting the need for sick leave in accordance with policy.
  • Comply with all standards related to safety and health by maintaining current TB Test, CPR/First Aid, CPI, and by reporting infections and on-the-job injuries in accordance with policy.
  • Identify opportunities for improving the quality of services provided by the department and the organization.
  • Represent the Organization in an accurate and professional manner.
  • Provide accurate documentation of billable time and service reports in a timely manner.
  • Maintain and support open communication with supervisor.
  • Devote 40 hours per week to the completion of duties as outlined in the job description.More than 40 hours of work per week may be required to meet job responsibilities and deadlines.
  • All other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the Supervisor or Executive Director.

Minimum Qualifications:

  • Master's degree in behavioral sciences required and a clinical practicum
  • The ability to gain ADC certification or License to practice in the state of Alabama as defined by ADMH licensure standard within two years of employment.
  • Must satisfactorily complete case management training.
  • Current Alabama driver's license and good driving record as defined by Indian Rivers' policy.
  • Must be able to read, write legibly, speak, and comprehend English. 

Working Conditions, HIPAA, Other Guidelines

Job Descriptions:  To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each primary duty satisfactorily.  The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities, who are otherwise qualified, to perform the essential functions.

HIPAA:  Must be knowledgeable of and abide by HIPAA regulations regarding protected health information as defined by HIPAA and IRMHC.  Minimally accesses verbal, written, and /or electronic PHI, usually incidentally to an approved use and /or disclosure as pertains to consumer's financial, demographic, and/or clinical data.

Working Conditions:  Works in general office environment and in homes, schools and community settings; may require long hours.  Must have use of sensory skills to effectively communicate and interact with other employees and the public through use of telephone and personal contact. Physical capability to use and operate office related equipment, such as, but not limited to, computer, copier, multi-line phone and fax.  Some risk involved in the event of aggressive/out-of-control consumers.  Must possess a valid Alabama driver's license.

Physical Requirements:  The Physical Requirements described herein are representative of those which must be met by an employee to successfully perform the primary functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities, who are otherwise qualified, to perform essential functions.

Physical presence onsite is essential.  Hearing and vision must be normal or corrected to within normal range.  Able to perform the duties with or without reasonable accommodation.


Full-Time Benefits:

  • Blue Cross Blue Shield Medical Insurance
  • Prescription Drug Coverage
  • Employees Retirement System of Alabama
  • Paid Time Off
  • Mileage Reimbursement
  • Voluntary dental, vision, and life insurances

Indian Rivers is an Equal Opportunity Employer
This Employer participates in E-Verify