ACT Substance Use Specialist

Job Description

Job Description

SUMMARY OF POSITION FUNCTION :

This member of the ACT multidisciplinary team has training in one of the mental health professions (i.e. Nursing, social work, rehabilitation counseling or psychology) and clinical skill and experience to assess plan, develop, coordinate, and provide treatment, rehabilitation, and support services to program clients with severe and persistent mental illnesses and substance abuse disorders under the clinical supervision of the team leader and the psychiatrist. The member functions as a clinical member of the multidisciplinary team and provides treatment, rehabilitation, and support services or may be designated by the team leader to function as the lead mental health and / or substance use specialist.

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES :

• Knowledge and demonstration of agency core values in day-to-day activities
• Knowledge of working with individuals transitioning from jail / forensic / institutional settings.
• Provide case management for clients including coordinating and monitoring the activities of the individual treatment team; assume primary responsibility for developing, writing, implementing, evaluating and revising overall treatment goals and plans in conjunction with the treatment team; provide individual supportive therapy and symptom management, ensuring immediate changes are made in the treatment plans as clients’ needs change; education and support clients’ families and advocate for clients’ rights and preferences.
• Conduct comprehensive assessment for psychiatric history (i.e.; onset, course and effect of illness; past treatment and responses; and risk behaviors)’ mental status, and diagnosis; physical health and dental health’ use of drugs, or alcohol; education and employment; social development and functioning; activities of daily living (e.g., self-care, living situations, nutrition, money management); and family structure and relationships.
• Act as liaison and consult with community agencies and families to maintain coordination in the treatment process.
• Document client progress to maintain a permanent record of client activity according to established methods and procedures.
• Ability to provide substance use therapy utilizing evidenced-based therapy interventions which include psychoeducation and information related to treatment, harm reduction techniques and medication assisted treatment options.
• Provide treatment, rehabilitation, and support services; with some interventions directed or performed by staff with specialty training and skills (e.g., vocational specialists).
• Ability to provide family psycho educational services and assist with integrating family goals and services for all clients with other team members.
• Take the lead role and participate in providing Substance use treatment services, which includes IDDT group / individual therapy, relapse prevention planning, harm reduction, referrals / linkage to detox / inpatient / community referrals etc.
• Frequent or occasional driving of personal vehicle for purpose of transporting clients in the community and / or site visits (client or work related)

Note : This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. Employee may perform other related duties as needed to meet the ongoing needs of the organization.

SKILLS / COMPETENCIES :

EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS :

EXPERIENCE :

OTHER :

ADA REQUIREMENTS :

In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, it is possible that requirements may be modified to reasonably accommodate disabled individuals. However, no accommodations will be made which may pose serious health or safety risks to the employee or others or which impose an undue hardship on the company.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The term "qualified individual with a disability" means an individual with a disability who, with or without reasonable accommodation, can perform the essential functions of the position.

PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES :

WORKING CONDITIONS :