POSITION SUMMARY

Substance Abuse Counselor will provide addiction counseling services in concurrence with scope of licensure to clients at various programs operated by the department. Responsible for delivery of substance abuse treatment services consistent with department’s treatment modality.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES SUMMARY

1. Gather relevant client treatment information through assessments and case histories; evaluate information findings to determine client substance abuse treatment intensity needs.
2. Formulate an individualized program structure for the treatment and rehabilitation of substance abuse clients. 
3. Provide clinically-based guidance/supervision to other addition professionals of lower licensure levels within the department. 
4. Provide therapeutic interventions as appropriate for substance abusing clients in crisis situations. 
5. Refer clients to other treatment/supportive need services psychological evaluations, other treatment arenas, and/or support groups. 
6. Conduct individual and group counseling sessions as appropriate to licensure level and within the guidelines of the department's clinical structure.  
7. Provide substance abuse treatment oriented educationally-based group facilitation following guidelines and protocols consistent with the department's chosen treatment modality. 
8. Initiate and maintain accurate case files; document notes relevant to provided care; maintain record of referrals and related forms. 
9. Prepare documents for presentation; prepare detailed client progress reports as required. 
10. Maintain ethical standards of practice, professional competence, conduct and integrity, confidentiality, responsibility to clients and responsibility to the professional per New Mexico occupational and professional licensing board standards.
11. Attend staff meetings and team conferences as assigned.
12. Perform other job related duties as required or assigned.

* The above information on this job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification.  It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties and responsibilities required of all employees assigned to this job. 

Bachelor’ in Counseling, Social Work, or related field, and one (1) year of work experience in counseling, plus licensure as an Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselor (LADAC), Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Licensed Professional Mental Health Clinical Counselor (LPCC), Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC), Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW), or Licensed Independent Social Worker (LISW) is required.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

The offer of this Bernalillo County position requires compliance with the following:

1. Employee must successfully complete the post-offer employment medical examination and background investigation.
2. Employee must comply with the safety guidelines of the County. 
3. Employee must have a valid New Mexico driver’s license by employment date and maintain a valid NM driver’s license while employed in this position. 
4. Pursuant to the criminal history screening for Caregivers Act, Section 29-17-1 through Section 29-17-5 NMSA 1978, new hires at Bernalillo County Behavioral Health Services facility will be required to complete a caregiver criminal history screening for all caregivers. Conviction of a disqualifying condition is cause for termination or sufficient reason not to hire if applicant has a disqualifying condition on their record at time of application.
5. Employee must complete required FEMA training(s) as assigned to position.
6. A current provisional licenser from the New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department in any of the abovementioned license types may serve to satisfy the license requirement.  The provisional license shall only serve in meeting the licenser requirement for as long as it remains valid.  Failure to maintain an active licenser status shall violate the conditional employment.

WORKING CONDITIONS

1. The majority of essential duties are performed indoors in a temperature-controlled environment.
2. Indoor working surface is even and may be carpeted or tiled.
3. Indoor surfaces are typically dry and may involve the use of stairs.
4. Work hazards or potential work hazards include those of a correctional facility environment with exposure to noise and dangerous situations that could involve serious bodily injury and other health hazards.
5. Works alone primarily, with or without directions.  Works with a group at times and with a select team at times.
6. Flexible work hours may be required.

EQUIPMENT, TOOLS AND MATERIALS

1. Utilizes computers and communication equipment on a daily basis.
2. Equipment typically used to perform administrative duties include the telefax machine, typewriter, photocopy machine, and pager.
3. Materials and products typically handled in the performance of administrative duties include files, forms, reports, various other forms of paperwork and a variety of basic office supplies and equipment.
4. May handle first aid and oxygen equipment on an occasional basis.

County of Bernalillo is an equal opportunity employer.