Chemical Dependency Counselor Job Description
Chemical dependency counselor
provides clinical services with emphasis on addiction treatment utilizing knowledge of current best practices in field of substance use disorders.
Chemical Dependency Counselor Duties & Responsibilities
To write an effective chemical dependency counselor job description, begin by listing detailed duties, responsibilities and expectations. We have included chemical dependency counselor job description templates that you can modify and use.
Sample responsibilities for this position include:
Provide individual counseling for up to 35 chemical dependent persons or significant others and complete required documentation
Conduct intake assessments, biopsychosocial assessments and individual and group counseling sessions according to evidence informed goal oriented approach
Facilitate recovery groups
Attend weekly interdisciplinary treatment team conferences
Monitor drug screening
Perform group sessions
Complete intakes and assessments for potential patients
Attend monthly unit meetings
Attend weekly supervisory sessions
Liaise with referral sources to assure the proper level of care for patients
Chemical Dependency Counselor Qualifications
Qualifications for a job description may include education, certification, and experience.
Licensing or Certifications for Chemical Dependency Counselor
List any licenses or certifications required by the position: BLS, CASAC, AHA, CPR, CADAC, II
Education for Chemical Dependency Counselor
Typically a job would require a certain level of education.
Employers hiring for the chemical dependency counselor job most commonly would prefer for their future employee to have a relevant degree such as Bachelor's and Master's Degree in Counseling, Social Work, Psychology, Substance Abuse, Behavioral Science, Sociology, Human Services, Health, Education, Legal
Skills for Chemical Dependency Counselor
Desired skills for chemical dependency counselor include:
Accepted best practice protocols and ethical guidelines and behaviors for counselors
Legal requirements for reporting abuse and maintaining confidentiality
Treatment services
Current best practice treatment for
Adolescent development
Certifying Boards
Current best practice treatment for members and their family members needing addiction intervention
Current best practices in field of substance use disorders
Family and group counseling
Family systems theory
Desired experience for chemical dependency counselor includes:
Proficiency in using standardized comprehensive risk assessment tools and coordinating safety plans
Ability to work effectively with complex patients, both independently and collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team
Training and experience related to counseling/treatment principles for
Three years experience necessary in order to understand the disease process and client care in the field of alcoholism/chemical dependency
The incumbent should be knowledgeable of the relationship between mental illness and therapeutic activities group dynamics
Bachelor's degree in Counseling or a related field
Chemical Dependency Counselor Examples
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Chemical Dependency Counselor Job Description
Job Description Example
Our company is searching for experienced candidates for the position of chemical dependency counselor. To join our growing team, please review the list of responsibilities and qualifications.
Responsibilities for chemical dependency counselor
- Facilitates group therapy with patients
- Provides individual psychotherapy to patients
- Assesses, identifies, and addresses the special needs of adult MI/CD patients when directly providing group/individual psychotherapy
- Other Participates in the quality assurance and performance improvement activities of the program
- Conducts biopsychosocial assessments utilizing approved assessment instruments
- Perform general intake and admission activities for clients accepted for admission into Safe Harbor
- Conduct an Integrated Summary during the first seventy two (72) hours in care
- Provide general assessments, process groups, psycho-educational groups, and other alcohol and drug education classes
- Maintain client chart documentation on all clients assigned to their caseloads in accordance with CARF, DBH, and JACHO standards and approved policies and procedures
- Maintain all required statistical data and provide appropriate reports in accordance with policy and procedure manuals
Qualifications for chemical dependency counselor
- Master's degree in Psychology, Counseling, Social Work, Addiction or a related field
- 1 to 2 years experience in alcohol and drug counseling (LADC) or counseling preferred
- Knowledge of chemical abuse, assessment and treatment
- Bachelor’s in a behavioral health related discipline
- Qualified Health Professional as defined by OMH or OASAS (LMSW, LCSW, LMHC, LMHC-LP, LMFT, CASAC, RN, PhD Psychology, NCC, NCC-MH
- One year of clinical experience in chemical dependency preferred
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Chemical Dependency Counselor Job Description
Job Description Example
Our company is growing rapidly and is looking to fill the role of chemical dependency counselor. We appreciate you taking the time to review the list of qualifications and to apply for the position. If you don’t fill all of the qualifications, you may still be considered depending on your level of experience.
Responsibilities for chemical dependency counselor
- Ensures proper toxicology tests are performs by collecting, labeling, processing of urine toxicity
- Performs breathalyzers
- Ensures the accurate and complete admission assessments/reassessments of patients within specified time frame
- Develop and present educational programs for outpatient chemical dependent programs
- Provide direct services to outpatient chemical dependency patient
- Provide individual and group therapy to program participants
- Develop and implement individualized plans of care
- Participate in interdisciplinary treatment planning
- Assist patients with aftercare and discharge planning for community support
- Ongoing participation in program development
Qualifications for chemical dependency counselor
- Master’s Degree or above from an accredited college with a major in Psychology or other related field which includes a practicum in health or human service agency preferred
- Current licensure in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as a registered nurse and a degree from an accredited school of nursing and one (1) year of counseling experience (minimum 1820 hours) in a health or human services agency, preferably in a drug and alcohol setting
- Full certification as an addiction counselor by statewide certification body, which is a member of a National certification body or certification by another state government’s substance abuse counseling certification board
- Effective individual, family, and group therapy provided in a timely manner meeting group therapy baseline competency elements
- Documentation of therapies provided is clear, concise and reflective of required level of clinical expertise
- Patient goals for treatment and progress towards goals reflected in documentation
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Chemical Dependency Counselor Job Description
Job Description Example
Our innovative and growing company is searching for experienced candidates for the position of chemical dependency counselor. If you are looking for an exciting place to work, please take a look at the list of qualifications below.
Responsibilities for chemical dependency counselor
- Interviews applicants who request admission and completes designated counseling sections of Integrated Assessment Form
- Identifies problem areas to be treated and lists them as part of the Clinical Formulation/Integrated Summary of the Integrated Assessment Form
- The person in this role will work directly with our Deaf and Hard of Hearing clients who are participating in chemical dependency treatment
- Explain the nature of addiction and mental health disorders as a primary and/or secondary illness
- Recognize the patient’s age as a relevant factor and apply appropriate decision-making skills in the assessment, treatment, and care provided for the adolescent, adult and geriatric patient
- Evaluate the special treatment needs of patients by reason of age, gender, sexual orientation, or ethnic origin
- Utilize diagnostic instruments such as the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, alcohol and drug assessment tools , SASSI, MAST, SUDDS, and ASAM PPC
- Construct goals and behaviorally measurable objectives that guide patients in the process of recovery
- Initiate referrals for needed services that are not directly provided by the program
- Complete or ensure recertifications with managed care to ensure that patients receive necessary health care benefits
Qualifications for chemical dependency counselor
- Groups planned, delivered, and documented in a timely and effective manner meeting patient’s goals for treatment
- Knowledge of CBT and other appropriate brief therapies and interventions evident
- Knowledge of age-specific and cultural-specific dynamics demonstrated
- Associate’s degree in a behavioral health-related discipline
- Completion of a DSHS-authorized internship
- No current use of alcohol or psychoactive substance that interferes with the employees’ ability to perform assigned duties and responsibilities consistent with agency performance expectations
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Chemical Dependency Counselor Job Description
Job Description Example
Our company is searching for experienced candidates for the position of chemical dependency counselor. Please review the list of responsibilities and qualifications. While this is our ideal list, we will consider candidates that do not necessarily have all of the qualifications, but have sufficient experience and talent.
Responsibilities for chemical dependency counselor
- Facilitate patient participation in the group process by considering defense mechanisms, transference, opening and closing, group goal setting, and other curative factors
- Provide information to individuals and their families regarding options for substance use disorder treatment, and facilitates the admissions process for appropriate patients
- Provide medical record documentation as outlined in Swedish Medical Center’s Clinical Manual and the Department Manual by writing concise and comprehensive progress notes in the DAP or SOAP format identifying progress or lack of progress on achievement of goals and objectives from the treatment plan
- Agree not to socialize with any program patients outside of work
- Assess changing problems and needs of patients and incorporate these into treatment plan and treatment plan review
- Collaborate as needed with outside agencies DPW, CYS, ) on behalf of clinic patients
- Complete all required documentation related to assessments, individual, family and group treatment sessions on the day of service provision
- Complete problem lists, medication logs, Addiction Severity Index, treatment plans, treatment plan reviews, continuing care plans, discharge summaries, log of services, and other required paperwork for the patients' medical record as outlined by JCAHO, BDAP, and the hospital
- Develop with supervisor an annual training plan in writing outlining needs for training and educational programs or other strategies or meeting these needs
- Discuss own reactions (thoughts, feelings and behaviors) to patients or unusual circumstances
Qualifications for chemical dependency counselor
- Variable schedule to support department’s needs
- Master's or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine Degree in Psychology, Marriage and Family Therapy or Counseling - Required
- 2 years Behavioral Health - Licensed Therapist - Individual, Group, and Family Therapy - Preferred
- 2 years Care Coordination - Utilization Review/Case Management - Preferred
- 1 year Nursing - Psychiatry - Required
- LMFT - Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and/or LCSW - Licensed Clinical Social Worker - Required
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Chemical Dependency Counselor Job Description
Job Description Example
Our innovative and growing company is looking for a chemical dependency counselor. To join our growing team, please review the list of responsibilities and qualifications.
Responsibilities for chemical dependency counselor
- Help to identify patients eligible for research protocols, informs patient of the availability of these protocols, and informs research staff of prospective subjects
- Lead or co-lead the family education groups and conducts family counseling sessions as needed
- Maintain up-to-date records of individual caseload and clinical productivity in the program
- Participate in regular treatment team meetings to review and update treatment plans, monitor therapeutic progress and initiate recommendations for referral and continuing care
- Participate in weekly staff meetings and supervision to discuss administrative and clinic issues, review individual cases and groups
- Provide a motivational interview with each patient prior to discharge from care to link them with the next level in their continuing care plan and ensure support in that process
- Provide drug and alcohol assessments to patients requesting treatment
- Provide education to patients on recovery from substance abuse and/or psychiatric illness, relapse and other skills necessary for maintaining recovery
- Provide individual and group therapy to patients
- Refer patient to other community social or human services as needed and advocates on behalf of patients to receive necessary services
Qualifications for chemical dependency counselor
- A master’s degree in social work, psychology, sociology, or other behavioral science field preferred
- Associate’s degree in counseling or related field
- Currently working in a chemical dependency position preferred
- A high degree of dexterity to produce materials on PC
- Prior outpatient chemical dependency experience
- Prior experience in program and educational development