PURPOSE OF POSITION
As a member of Behavioral Health, the Addiction Counselor is to meet all New York State Office of Mental Health (NYSOMH) standards for all East New York, Central Brooklyn Network and HHC-wide policies and procedures.
SUMMARY OF DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
"The Addiction Counselor is a member of the interdisciplinary team, whose purpose is to evaluate, treat and plan for the aftercare of patients. The Addiction Counselor provides treatment and support for recipients with substance abuse disorders and support team members in issues related to substance abuse and its interaction with mental illness. Integration of substance abuse, mental health treatment and primary care is necessary to improve provision of care/care coordination.
1. Evaluate and identify patients who have a substance use disorder and document the finds of your assessment in a progress note. Progress note should contain evidence that the patient does exhibit symptoms of a substance use disorder.
2. Use evidence-based techniques in providing substance use treatment. This includes, but is not limited to making use of Motivational Interviewing, and Stages of Change theory.
3. Provide interventions using stage wise treatment and harm reduction model.
4. In order to integrate substance use treatment and mental health treatment, you must have regular discussions with the Team psychiatrist. These discussions must be documented. Some of these discussions can take place during morning report in order to cross train other Team members.
5. The treatment for recipients is to be individualized.
6. Each recipient will have 24 minutes or more per week of formal substance abuse treatment.
7. Provide group intervention-offer a range of treatment modalities designed to meet the needs of the patient in various stages of recovery. 50% or more of the recipients with substance use disorders attend at least one substance abuse treatment group meeting during a month.
8. Perform case management duties including:
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Integrating dual-recovery treatment with the task of other members.
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Act as liaison between patient and community-based organizations.
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Document and maintain contact with patient through home visits and or telephone calls.
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Assist patient to obtain entitlements (Medicaid, Medicare, and Social Security Benefits) and housing.
9. Perform or administer random drug testing for all substance abuse patients, including all those mandated by the court (AOT).
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Testing procedure include urine, blood, and breathalyzer.
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All records should be kept in client's chart.
10. Carry out rehabilitation and support functions including:
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Link to self-help organization-Assist in treatment and making referrals and integrating self-help into dual disorder treatment resources.
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Provide education and escort to patient.
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Provide crisis intervention.
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Provide consultation to families and family psycho-education groups.
11. Perform duties of service coordinator, which include
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Write service plans.
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Insure immediate revisions to the service plan as the recipient's needs change.
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Advocate for recipient's rights and preference.
12. Use effective communication techniques appropriate to age and maturity level of patients
13. Demonstrate positive interpersonal relations in dealing with staff, patients and visitors to promote teamwork, efficiency and quality patient care.
14. Demonstrate safe use of equipment, safety precautions in all aspects of patient care activities.
15. Identify and intervenes appropriately in cases of known or suspected child, elder abuse, and domestic violence.
16. Maintain a level of competency by attending continuing education programs and other activities consistent with area of clinical practice and the population served.
17. Provide patient/family education according to plan of care appropriate to age and readiness for learning and consistent with the cultural, ethnic and religious beliefs of the patient and family.
18. Adhere to organizational policy for annual education, annual assessment and in-service education.
19. Maintain security and confidentiality of information in accordance with Patient Rights Policies.
20. Ensure and respects privacy and confidentiality while providing care.
21. Attend all clinical/staff meetings.
22. Participate in quality assurance.
23. Document progress notes and all efforts to meet with patients. (All progress notes should be written within 24 hours of encounter with patient).
- While any one staff member may have the primary responsibility to serve in a particular capacity, as the need arises, any one staff member can be asked to do or assist in completing a task within the limits of licensing, certification and skill requirements.