Co-Occurring Specialist - ACT South

SUMMARY

Incumbent serves as a substance abuse clinician and resource for Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) participants and staff. The Specialist is assigned to the mobile, intensive community treatment team, providing coordination, direct service, consultation and education regarding the indicators, effects and treatment of substance abuse.

Services may be provided in office, community and home settings, and the Specialist coordinates with other team members to provide coverage, as needed, at all hours. Assists with program development, and provides direct care involving the personal, social, and recovery of individuals in ACT.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS / PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF POSITION

• Provides individualized substance abuse assessment, education and counseling to identified individuals within the ACT;
• Provides outreach home visits, crisis intervention, independent living training and advocacy;
• Makes referrals to and facilitates linkage with community and agency resources for specialized services;
• Provides training and resources to ACT team members and others.
• Remains vigilant of substance use of program participants and monitors use through screens as deemed appropriate;
• Develops relationships and communicates with community resources, including representatives of the criminal justice system, support groups, detoxification and rehabilitation providers, as needed;
• Communicates regularly with other ACT team members.
• Coordinates with other ACT team members to facilitate the provision of medical services, such as delivering and monitoring medications, scheduling and providing transportation to appointments, including those with medical practitioners, family and community resources;
• Provides case coordination, benefits, and housing assistance.
• Assist individuals with referrals, eligibility procedures for additional services (independent living & benefits planning assistance).
• Participates in team meetings, case reviews and supervision;
• Provides education to individuals regarding their treatment, medical and mental health condition;
• Develops and engages program participants in health promotion activities such as health and wellness clinics, smoking cessation efforts, and client education programs for disease prevention;
• Develops and conducts recovery oriented groups.
• Participates in team meetings, case reviews and supervision.
• Maintains all clinical records in accordance with licensure and program standards;
• Provides emergency assessment and intervention during normal work hours as well as part of the ACT emergency phone rotation;
• Does related work as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Advanced knowledge of individual, family and group treatment theories and techniques relating to persons with substance use disorders and other behavioral health disorders. Knowledge of medical providers, social services and other agencies and community organizations providing services to persons with substance use and behavioral health disorders.

Knowledge of documentation requirements for licensing, reimbursement and other third-party review, in addition to the CSB electronic record. Ability to engage diverse populations in order to assess needs, plan treatment and implement services. Ability to prepare and maintain detailed records and prepare related reports.

FORMAL TRAINING AND WORK EXPERIENCE EXEMPLIFYING KSAs

Bachelor's degree in counseling, social work, or other behavioral health-oriented field, plus at least three years clini­cal work experience in the treatment of persons with substance use and mental health disorders. Master's degree in human service field and licensure in Virginia as a mental health professional preferred.

Must meet qualifications as a Qualified Mental Health Professional. Certification as a Substance Abuse Counselor (CSAC) and case management experience preferred.

LICENSURE : Valid VA driver's license with acceptable driving record.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Must have the use of sensory skills in order to effectively communicate and interact with other employees and the public through the use of the telephone and personal contact as normally defined by the ability to see, read, talk, hear, handle or feel objects and controls. Work is performed in an office environment. The incumbent may be exposed to hostile and abusive clients.

Evening hours will be sched­uled when there is other active client service occurring at the clinic. Physical capability to use and operate various items of office related equipment effectively, such as, but not limited to, a personal computer, calculator, copier, and fax machine. Some walking, moving, carrying, climbing, bending, kneeling, crawling, reaching, and handling, sitting, standing, pushing, and pulling.

RELATIONSHIPS

Relationships require excellent communication, social and interpersonal skills, tact and the use of specialized techniques to elicit information from and convey information to clients including hostile and abusive individuals and client families.

Represent the agency, program and individual to clinical professionals or other service providers, governmental organizations and regulatory agencies, law enforcement and judicial authorities, or other community stakeholders concerning client treatment, care coordination and programming; lead meetings, conduct briefings and make presentations.

RACSB maintains a drug-free workplace environment. All candidates who receive conditional offers of employment must successfully complete a pre-employment drug screening and background check, including criminal history, driving record, and verification of credentials. Additionally, employees are subject to random drug testing throughout their employment. Our comprehensive screening program reflects our commitment to maintaining a safe, healthy workplace and providing high-quality services to our community.