Lead Counselor – Women’s Harm Reduction Program

This full-time position is primarily responsible for providing counseling for women referred to our program.  Approximately 15-20% will be dedicated to clinical supervision duties as the team lead for substance use counselors in training. Specific responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:

Counselor (80 to 85%)

• Conduct mental health and substance use assessments with clients and develop appropriate treatment plans, and treatment plan reviews
• Utilize the DSM-5 in conjunction with an AODA screen and assessment to diagnose and create treatment plans
• Complete all documentation for assessments, treatment plans, individual/group contact notes, discharge summaries, and all other documentation to comply with all state certification regulations
• Complete reports and documentation that are required for community corrections, courts, other agencies and funding sources
• Facilitate evidence-based groups (curricula provided) as assigned, and provide coaching and role-modeling for newer staff and interns.
• Provide individual counseling to participants on caseload
• Maintain positive working relationships with Benedict Center treatment team, other program staff, and staff from other agencies providing ongoing care or supervision of client for coordination of client services
• Attend weekly staff meetings and monthly staffing with medical director and system partners
• Attend scheduled clinical supervision meetings as prescribed by state statutes
• Coordinate drug screens from participants, when indicated
• Attend in-service training and staff development activities
• Attend other trainings as is deemed necessary to provide services and for professional credentialing

Team Lead/ Clinical Supervision (15-20%)

• Provide weekly SAC-focused supervision for approximately 2-4 interns and staff members who hold SAC-IT credentials.
• Provides weekly clinical supervision for staff and interns as outlined by State Regulations (DHS 75) and other contract requirements and training for 2-4 interns and staff members with SAC-IT credentials.
• Attends clinical supervision with Medical Director for monthly staffing of SAC-IT cases.
• Perform chart review and documentation supervision for SAC-IT’s and assist Clinical Program Director with chart audits and improvements where needed.
• Provide crisis management as needed.
• Keeps abreast and identifies best practice approaches that are grounded in evidence based, gender-responsive, trauma-informed and harm reduction principles.
• Contributes relevant feedback to Clinical Director’s evaluation of SAC-IT level interns and staff.

Education: Master’s degree in psychology, counseling or social work or another related human services field required.

Licensure:

• Must have licensure in good standing for Substance Abuse Counselor (SAC) certification; Clinical Substance Abuse Counselor (CSAC), preferred.
• Mental Health (LPC or APSW/LCSW) licensure in good standing. In-training or temporary licensure with experience will be considered.
• Must have licensure in good standing to provide clinical supervision for SAC-IT credentials.

Experience, Skills & Commitment

• At least 5 years of experience working with women with substance use issues and criminal justice involvement preferred.
• At least one year of experience providing clinical supervision for SAC-IT credentialed staff/interns.
• Experience with Trauma-Informed Care principles and Motivational Interviewing practices required.
• Demonstrated ability to work with individuals from diverse economic, racial, ethnic, religious, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, or disability backgrounds in an open and respectful environment.
• Proven ability to work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team and to advocate on behalf of clients within the criminal justice system and the community, including Probation Agents, Courts, landlords, and other government agencies.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, including experience with group facilitation.
• Sound judgment and ability to deescalate situations with clients when indicated;
• Ability to work independently in a self-directed manner and as a team member.
• Computer literacy and experience with electronic medical records, databases, and excel worksheets.

Benefits include:

• Paid vacation and personal/sick time
• 13 paid holidays
• Health, dental and vision insurance available
• 401(k)
• Employee Assistance Program
• Professional development opportunities