Addictions Counselor (Hillsboro)

Job Description

Job Description : \n\nORGANIZATION SUMMARYThe mission of Fora Health is to work with individuals, families, and communities to create freedom from addiction. We are committed to providing a wide range of accessible, coordinated, and well-integrated services that benefit the community and support our clients to recover and to maintain recovery from addiction. To maintain an organizational culture which supports the mission, each employee will, at a minimum : Have intermediate knowledge of substance use disorders.Recognize the importance of family, social networks, and community systems in the treatment and recovery process.Respect the diversity and uniqueness of each person and organizations we serve.Recognize that a healthy work environment is maintained through the practice of mutual respect and healthy self-care.Uphold the highest standard of customer service to clients, referents, and all community partners.POSITION SUMMARY Fora Health is seeking a full-time Addictions Counselor (AC) for its Hillsboro-based outpatient substance use disorder treatment program. The AC will be a core member of a multi-disciplinary team including access to medications to treat addiction. The site has a particular focus on improving access to care for the Latino / a / x community. The AC will be expected to work closely with the entire Hillsboro team to provide evidence-based behavioral health interventions to all Hillsboro patients. The AC should also have a robust understanding of trauma-informed care, motivational interviewing, medication-supported recovery, and harm-reduction.PAY This is a full-time position (40 hours per week) earning an hourly wage of $27.48-30.36 (plus a 5% pay differential for employees with demonstrated fluency in Spanish / English language). This position is non-exempt and eligible for overtime compensation.SIGNING BONUSTo welcome you to our team and show our commitment to your success, we are offering a signing bonus of $3,000! This bonus will be paid upon successful completion of probationary period.ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIESClinical Evaluation, Treatment Planning, Insurance Authorizations, Course of Treatment, Collaboration, Transition, and DocumentationDocumentation to be completed within 24 hours of service performed. Inform patients of confidentiality rights, program procedures that safeguard them, and the exceptions imposed by regulations. Protect patient rights to privacy and confidentially in the communications of patient information.Gather data systematically from the patient and other available collateral sources. Obtain and interpret all relevant assessment information.Continually determine the patient's readiness for treatment and change, using the Stage of Change model as a guide for interventions throughout the treatment process.Continuous treatment planning : formulate mutually agreed upon and measurable treatment outcome statements for each need identified in the assessment. Identify appropriate strategies to reach each outcome desired. Track and document patient progress towards intended outcomes. Initial treatment plans are completed at intake, individualized within 30 days of intake, and updated on a regular basis, indicating patient engagement and progress in treatment.Assess treatment and recovery progress, and through consultation with the patient, significant others, and medical providers, make appropriate changes to the treatment plan to ensure progress toward treatment goals at regular intervals and / or when indicated by changing circumstances.Describe and document treatment process, progress, and outcome in relation to the treatment goals in progress notes, ASAM reviews (such as for re-authorizations or referral to residential), screenings related to enrollment in specific programs such as medication as treatment, and transfer summary. Apply placement, continued stay, and completion / transition criteria based on medical necessity and other factors such as patient readiness and engagement in the program. Conduct and document continuing care, relapse prevention, and completion / transition planning with the patient and involved significant others.In order to justify continued care and document medical necessity, ASAM assessments, and other screenings are completed for reauthorization and progress in specific programs. Progress Reports are completed electronically, faxed or emailed to referents and other appropriate entities every 30 days and when requested by referent, specifically within the DUII program within 14 days of a urinalysis positive for a controlled substance. When sent electronically, an additional note is added to the report to document the electronic method of sending. Communicate and collaborate with referral agencies regarding scheduled screenings, status of patient, and treatment and completion / transition planning. Develop a report with referents. Establish and maintain partnerships in the community that work to provide increased access to culturally specific communities, especially the Latinx community. Engage in attending community events along with the Program Supervisor to increase public awareness of our services. Provide and document service coordination activities, outreach and re-engagement activities. At least three re-engagement efforts must be documented over a 1–2-week time frame when a patient is disengaged. Charts are to be closed prior to or on the 30th day of non-engagement in both individual and group services. Support patient engagement in outside community support membership / activities.Transfer Summary is sent to referents within 5 days of patient discharge when appropriate. Counseling and EducationEstablish a helping relationship with the patient characterized by warmth, respect, genuineness, concreteness, and compassion. Motivational Interviewing is the foundational approach expected of all outpatient counselors. Facilitate the patient's engagement in the treatment and recovery process.Provide individual and group counseling as a part of the therapeutic process to achieve treatment goals. Individualize these services throughout the episode as indicated. Sensitize others to issues of cultural identity, ethnic background, age, and gender in treatment and recovery with special focus of having an understanding of Latinx values, family roles and community supports. Be able to explain and support abstinence based, medication assisted and / or harm reduction models of treatment with patients. Help to reduce stigma for the individual through increased understanding of both use disorders and the healthcare system in general. Be able to describe the health and behavior problems related to substance use, including transmission and prevention of HIV / AIDS, TB, STDs, and other infectious diseases. Provide referrals for above as needed.Be able to teach life skills, including but not limited to, stress management, relaxation, communication, and refusal skills.Complete continuing education classes as assigned.ReferralDocument all referral activity.Arrange and assist patients in following through with referrals to other professionals, agencies, community programs, or other appropriate resources to meet patient needs. Be sure patient has access to new program prior to closing the chart.Clearly explain the necessity for and process of referral.Exchange and document relevant information with the agency or professional to whom the referral is being made.Develop effective collaborative relationships with mental health practitioners, prescribers, PO’s, ADSS / ADES’S, EAP, DHS etc… or insurance authorization representatives, and / or any other agency with whom the patient is engaged.Functions as an Active Member of the Program Clinical TeamAttends and participates in all treatment team and clinical supervision meetings as assigned.Actively builds, strengthens, and maintains effective working relationships with clinical team members, management and community partners.Communicates and collaborates effectively with staff from other departments.Maintains cleanliness and safety of work environment.Performs additional related tasks as assigned to maintain and support the growth of the program.Maintains flexibility in scheduling to meet changing needs of program, setting, and team environments. Periodic adjustment of work schedule and overtime may be required. Participates in development of and working toward department quarterly and annual goals.Productivity in billable hoursManage a caseload of patients (which may vary depending on nature of caseload and needs within team, and is determined by manager). This may increase and decrease from time to time, depending on time of year and current staffing patterns. Complete Assessments, as required by agency policy guidelines and patient needs. Meet individually with patients on caseload at least once every 4 weeks. Facilitate groups weekly, at least two of which must take place either in the evening and will change as needed. Maintain at least 22 billable hours / week that is direct patient contact, or directly involves the patient (which includes assessment, individual, group, and case management).Professional and Ethical Responsibilities Demonstrate ethical behaviors by adhering to established professional codes of ethics that define the professional context within which the counselor works, in order to maintain professional standards and safeguard the patient.Adhere to Federal and State laws, accreditation board standards, and agency policies & procedures regarding the treatment of substance use disorders and maintaining confidentiality.Recognize the importance of individual differences that influence patient behavior and apply this understanding to clinical practice.Actively participate in ongoing supervision and consultation, bringing any ethical questions that have come up into this setting.Develop and utilize strategies to maintain one's own physical and mental health.Maintain current addiction counselor certification. Maintain any licensure held at time of hire. Meet or exceed patient outcome goals (engagement, retention and completion) as set by the agency and the State of Oregon. See supervisor for current standards. ADDITIONAL JOB RESPONSIBILITIES Attend staff and team meetings as scheduled.Additional trainings to be completed as assigned in a timely manner.Special projects and other duties as assigned.Participate in ongoing supervision and consultation.Maintain quality treatment services that are responsive to client needs and reflect best practices.Establish a therapeutic environment in which staff works together so that clients' needs, individual circumstances, and culture determine the optimal clinical approach.The AC is expected to learn to balance conflicting demands, actively seek help from supervisory staff as needed, and manage workload in 40 hours / week. The AC is expected to communicate with supervisory staff when it is believed that work may exceed 40 hours in a given week. SUPERVISORY FUNCTIONSThis position does not have supervisory duties.QUALIFICATIONS EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREDMinimum of Certified Drug and Alcohol Counselor 1 (CADC-1) certification required; or for internal candidates a CADC-R or obtaining CADC-R within 90 days of hire.Bilingual with demonstrated written and verbal fluency in Spanish preferred.Willingness to complete QMHA credential is preferred.KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIREDProficient in Microsoft Office Suite esp. Outlook, Excel and Word.Ability to type 40 words per minute using a standard keyboard. Detail-oriented and organized.Demonstrated effectiveness in presenting ideas, transmitting information, or convey concepts to individuals or groups of people of varying educational, cultural and experiential levels.Ability to maintain professional boundaries with patients, the community, and other staff members.Ability to work collaboratively with patients, other treatment program staff, team members, and to treat everyone with respect and dignity at all times.Written and organizational skills to complete all required documentation.Communicate information effectively in writing and verbally.Display initiative and problem-solving skills independently.Marked ability to demonstrate and utilize self-awareness.OTHER REQUIREMENTSFor employees with a history of substance use disorder, Fora Health’s policy requires certification of a minimum of two years of sobriety for this position.Ability to pass pre-employment or for cause drug tests.Ability to pass DHS criminal background.WORKING CONDITIONS Prolonged use of computer.This position generally works in an indoor office environment with sporadic travel between sites and / or off-site for meetings and / or trainings, or to special events and may include assessment / screenings offsite within community partner facilities.Position requires some overtime, including occasional evening and weekend work. Adjustment of work schedule may be required.Possible exposure to communicable diseases can encompass a variety of illnesses and infections, including COVID, tuberculosis, Hepatitis A, B, and C, and HIV.Possible exposure to upset, angry, severely traumatized, disabled or emotionally disturbed adults, adolescents, and families.Exposure to potentially hazardous cleaning chemicals, personal protective equipment provided. Fast paced, high volume work environment. LOCATION This position is an on-site position at our Hillsboro outpatient clinic located at 205 SE 3rd Avenue, Suite 100. INTERNAL CANDIDATES : click here to apply via the employee intranet site ABOUT FORA HEALTH Looking for a meaningful career? At Fora Health, we employ a team of passionate, diverse and caring people who are committed to carrying out our mission to provide treatment, care and advocacy for all who are affected by substance use disorder. We are seeking dedicated individuals to join our experienced team of professionals in the fight to overcome the stigma of addiction and mental health. Come join one of Oregon’s largest and most reputable providers of substance use disorder and co-occurring mental health treatment for adults! Fora Health is committed to providing a wide range of accessible, coordinated, and well-integrated services that benefit the community and support our clients to recover and to maintain recovery from addiction. To maintain an organizational culture which supports Fora's mission, each employee will, at a minimum : Have knowledge of substance use disorders.Recognize the importance of family, social networks, and community systems in the treatment and recovery process.Respect the diversity and uniqueness of all people.Recognize that a healthy work environment is maintained through the practice of mutual respect and healthy self-care.Uphold the highest standard of customer service to clients, referents, and all community partners. BENEFITSKaiser medical insuranceComprehensive dental and vision insuranceEmployer-paid basic life and accidental death & dismemberme