Chemical Dependency Counselor - Psychiatry Administration

POSITION SUMMARY

Under immediate supervision, provides counseling, program treatment management and supervision to adult patients. Conducts individual and group counseling to patients that may be abusing alcohol and/or other substances along with a variety of psychiatric disorder(s). Orients patients’ families/caregivers to the treatment program and encourages active participation.

ACCOUNTABILITIES

*All duties listed below are essential unless noted otherwise*

1. Interviews and evaluates the patient and develops a treatment plan, subject to the approval of the physician and multidisciplinary team. Prepares discharge and/or referral summaries for an assigned caseload of patients. Initiates contact with new patients in caseload and documents pertinent information. Completes substance use history, completes patient assessment and treatment plans.

2. Conducts individual and group counseling. Functions as an active participant in reviewing patients’ diagnoses and prognoses. Makes primary decisions for patient care activity under the supervision of the multidisciplinary team. Conducts individual counseling and family counseling during patient’s hospital stay. Conducts group therapy sessions according to the program schedule. Documents sessions in the medical record and documents all patient related telephone contacts. Provides crisis counseling to patients, as needed. Provides individual sessions with patient to discuss therapy progress.

3. Monitors patients’ response(s) to treatment. Records progress notes in charts in a timely manner. Updates treatment plans regularly and makes revisions as needed. Reviews appropriateness of any psychosocial restrictions. Conducts lectures as assigned, leads patient discussions of video presentations, documents progress or revises multi-disciplinary treatment plans to be reviewed separately with patients. Shares expertise with staff as needed and makes appropriate referrals.

4. Provides information on treatment concepts, goals, and strategies to patients and family/caregivers with proper consent.

5. Maintains contact with referral sources for patient progress reports.

6. Maintains confidentiality of all patient information.

7. May be assigned duties and responsibilities dictated by program leadership consistent with the professional activities of a chemical dependency counselor. Duties may include specialized counseling activities such as family therapy, large group therapeutic sessions on weekends, etc. Provides information to treatment team members and assists them in their functions as appropriate.

8. May be assigned liaison responsibilities between the department of psychiatry and external agencies.

9. Performs public presentations, community liaison functions, and other duties as directed by psychiatric leadership.

10. Communicates with case managers and social workers as necessary to insure quality of patient care.

11. Is an advocate and keeps up to date current professional standards of the chemical field and makes recommendations on changes in policy, procedures, and programs/services.

12. Develops and maintains working relationships with other hospital personnel.

13. Identifies and follows through in customer satisfaction issues with goal of promoting sense of continuity of care and a climate of concern for individual/family welfare.

14. Must possess effective communicative and interpersonal skills.

15. Is an advocate for patients and family rights.

16. Performs other duties as directed.

Job Requirements

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education: Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Psychology, Rehabilitation Counseling, or a Social Services area of study.

Skills: Must demonstrate skill, knowledge, and techniques of chemical dependency counseling, as well as participatory knowledge of , and

Knowledge of community resources and/or current State of Ohio and federal regulations.

Years of Experience: N/A

License: N/A

Certification: State of Ohio CDCA (Chemical Dependency Counselor Assistant) OAC 4758-6-01, BLS.

Must either be a Certified Chemical Dependency Counselor or have a developed formal plan to achieve certification within a time period designated by the Director or Clinical Director of Psychiatry.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Years of Experience: Minimum 1 year experience.

Certification: Certified in Nonviolent Crisis Intervention.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Personal Protective Equipment: Demonstrates knowledge and use of standard precautions and PPE, knowledge, and use of safe patient handling equipment. Physical Demands: Must be able to: Tolerate exposure to dust, fumes, chemicals, temperature changes, and exposure to blood borne pathogens and bodily fluids; Attain all health requirements as identified by the organization (, PPD, respirator training, vaccines, as appropriate); Move about hospital and between workstations; and prolonged periods of standing; Frequently move, lift or carry light to heavy patients or equipment; Lift medium materials, non-material handling; continuous standing, walking, bending, stooping and reaching; frequent pushing, pulling and squatting; Appropriately provide care to patients with psychiatric diagnosis and behaviors in the clinical setting; Occasional sitting, stairs and kneeling.

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