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COOK INLET TRIBAL COUNCIL, INC. 

JOB DESCRIPTION 

Job Title: Substance Use Counselor I/II  

Department: Recovery and Reentry 

Reports To: Program Manager 

Supervises: None  

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt  

Pay Grade: N6 (I), N7 (II)  

Job Type: Full-Time, Regular  

AKBCU: Yes ICPA: No  

General Functions: 

The Substance Use Counselor (SUC) is responsible for the delivery of substance use treatment services to participants at CITC. CITC recovery services use evidenced-based approaches to aid in recovery. Services at CITC work to promote connectedness in individuals’ lives, to reinforce resilience and to foster whole-person wellness. Services are culturally responsive and allow the participants to be the driver of their recovery process. SUC’s work together with master’s level clinicians, case managers, and peer support specialists as part of an interdisciplinary treatment team supporting individuals in their recovery journey. This position conducts individual sessions, facilitates substance-use related groups, formulates ongoing case updates, facilitates effective discharges and transitions, and may be responsible for developing individualized treatment plans, case management tasks and conducting substance use assessments and assessment updates utilizing the ASAM criteria.  

Duties and Responsibilities: 

Substance Use Counselor I 

• Based on program needs, conduct admission, intake and orientation for participants entering services and complete steps necessary to enroll participants in program. 

• Support participants in identifying and working toward treatment plan goals and objectives.  

• Ensure a written individualized treatment plan is created and maintained following RS policy and procedures and program expectations. (outpatient only)  

• Collaborate with treatment teams to ensure delivery of recovery support services, as needed and within the job scope, to ensure linkage and advocacy of participant’s needs.  

• Responsible for coordinating participant referrals for employment, mental health, housing, medical with local community clinics, social service agencies, and continuing care as needed. 

• Provide individual and group substance use sessions to help individuals identify substance use patterns in accordance with participant’s needs and identified goals.  

• Depending on program needs, create and manage clinical documentation for participants such as assessments, diagnoses, treatment plans, case-staffing, discharge summaries, and progress notes. 

• Maintain participant records within the electronic health record by completing written reports, group/individual notes, assessments, etc., within the required documentation time limit as assigned.  

• Utilize ASAM and DSM-5 when making substance use diagnoses and recommendations. 

• Administer approved screening tools and implement them into assessments to determine treatment recommendations relative to the appropriate level of treatment services based on criteria developed by the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) as assigned.  

• Understand the use and implementation of Trauma-Informed Care and Motivational Interviewing (MI) techniques, and other evidence-based treatment modalities. 

• Coordinate with referral sources, family members, community agencies, and other treatment providers to provide the best treatment and case management options for the participant. 

• Maintain relationships with all partnering agencies and referral sources. 

• Use approved curriculums, handouts, and other homework materials to enhance and support the treatment experience. 

• Participate in training in areas related to the improvement of service delivery. 

• Attend staff meetings and work collaboratively with other staff in case staffing/review. 

• Maintain a respectful relationship with participants and their supportive treatment partners.  

• Effectively manage SUC schedule and caseload, ensuring that a minimum of 50% of billable time (Outpatient programs) and a minimum 50% direct-care time (Residential programs) is maintained.  

• Supports participants and staff to meet and maintain all health and safety standards per CITC’s policies and procedures (residential, night shift only). 

• Perform all duties as needed and assigned. 

Substance Use Counselor II 

• Perform all duties and responsibilities of the Substance Use Counselor I position with an advanced proficiency level. 

• Support Substance Use Counselor staff by answering questions, providing guidance, making recommendations, providing support related to attaining CDC certifications, and conducting training related to Substance Use Counselor’s duties and responsibilities. 

Job Responsibilities Related to Participant Privacy  

• Employees are expected to actively participate in CITC privacy training and to protect the privacy of participant information in accordance with CITC's privacy policies, procedures, and practices, as required by federal and state law. Failure to comply with CITC's policies and procedures on participant privacy may result in disciplinary action up to and including termination of employment.  

• Employees may access protected health information and other participant information only to the extent necessary to complete job duties. Employees may only share such information on a need-to-know basis with others who have job responsibilities related to treatment, payment, or other CITC operations.  

• Employees are encouraged and expected to report, without the threat of retaliation, any concerns regarding CITC's policies and procedures on participant privacy and any observed practices in violation of the policy to the designated Privacy Officer.  

Job Specifications:  

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills. 

• Proficient with PCs and standard office equipment. 

• Demonstrated ability to make decisions and exercise good judgment. 

• Demonstrated ability to work independently with minimal supervision. 

• Demonstrated ability to work under pressure and prioritize workload. 

• Strong public speaking and organizational skills. 

• Strong problem-solving skills. 

• Demonstrated ability to coordinate multiple activities. 

• Demonstrated ability and experience conducting individual and group sessions. 

• Demonstrated experience using an electronic health record or a case management system. 

• Excellent time management skills. 

• Demonstrated ability and willingness to be cross trained in any aspect of the program. 

• Must have strong writing skills with attention to detail and accuracy of fact reporting. 

• Demonstrated ability to work with individuals from diverse backgrounds. 

Minimum Core Competencies: CITC Values, Respectful Leadership, Professionalism, Emotional Intelligence, Problem Solving/Critical Thinking, Communication Skills  

Minimum Qualifications: 

Substance Use Counselor, I 

• One (1) year of experience in a role delivering or supporting substance use treatment.  

• Alaska Chemical Dependency Counselor Certification I (CDC I) through the Alaska Commission for Behavioral Health Certification or ability to obtain within 24 months of hire.  

• Obtain Qualified Addiction Professional (QAP) approval within (3) three years of the Provisional Provider Application approval date with the State of Alaska.  

Substance Use Counselor, II 

• Meet all minimum qualifications of Substance Use Counselor I. 

• One (1) year of experience as a substance use counselor, chemical dependency counselor, or similar role.  

• Two (2) years of experience working in the substance use field.  

• Alaska Chemical Dependency Counselor Certification II (CDC II) or CDC-S through the Alaska Commission for Behavioral Health Certification at time of hire.  

• Associate’s degree or higher in social work, Psychology, Human Services, Counseling, Substance Abuse/Addiction Counseling, or related field.  

Minimum Qualifications for All Levels 

• Working knowledge of Motivational Interviewing and Trauma-Informed Care. 

• Experience implementing and facilitating clinical best practices in the substance use field, conducting case reviews, and making placements using the current ASAM and DSM-5. 

• Experience facilitating substance use treatment groups and individual sessions.  

• Continued employment is contingent upon completion of a satisfactory state and federal background check, approved National Provider Identifier Standard (NPI) status, ability to be credentialled with CMS and other insurance carriers, and state approval as a Qualified Addictions Professional (QAP). 

Preferred Qualifications for All Levels 

• Bachelor’s Degree or higher in social work, Psychology, Human Services, Counseling, or Substance Abuse/Addiction Counseling.  

• Alaska Chemical Dependency Counselor Certification I (CDC I) or higher through the Alaska Commission for Behavioral Health Certification at time of hire. 

• Relevant work experience in both residential and outpatient substance use treatment settings.  

Physical Requirements:  

• Primarily works in an open office setting, with extended periods of time at a desk and on a computer.