Counselor I/II/III

Statement of Purpose

Under the direct supervision of the Program Director/Supervisor,the Counselor I provides treatment and recovery services to participating clients, monitors, documents, and supports client treatment progress, maintains ethical and evidence-based care, and participates in treatment team activities.

Major Tasks, Duties and Responsibilities

• Conduct comprehensive substance use screening, care planning, and treatment activities.
• Develop individualized care plans in collaboration with clients and treatment team.
• Provide evidence-based services (e.g., CBT, MI, DBT, Seeking Safety) to assigned group and/or individual caseload.
• Support clients with relapse prevention, life and coping skills, discharge and aftercare planning, and recovery support.
• Develop general knowledge of evidence-based practices, medications for addiction treatment, co-occurring disorders, community resources, self-help support, and treatment philosophies.
• Coordinate with medical providers, social services, and other community resources.
• Monitor client progress and maintain accurate and timely treatment records and progress notes (e.g., daily activities, service entries, intake and discharge documentation, etc.).
• Perform toxicology testing, take and record vitals as needed; chart relevant information.
• For Counselors assigned to residential programs, make rounds every 30 minutes for 72 hours on withdrawal management clients, document and record withdrawal symptoms.
• For Counselors assigned to residential programs, observe and document client self- administration of medications.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory and accreditation standards, including but not limited to DMH, DHCS, SAPC, HIPAA, 42 CFR Part 2, CARF, etc.
• Assist clients with benefits, housing, vocational, and community reintegration needs.
• Respond to behavioral crises, medical emergencies, suicidal ideation, overdose including administration of anti-overdose medications as needed, or acute intoxication safely, within scope of practice.
• Occasionally provide transportation for clients including DPSS and other linkages.
• Report and record any changes observed in client condition or behavior, including unusual incidents. Identify, report, and assist with the management of emergencies.
• Participate in safety programming to promote client and staff safety. Maintain health and safety standards of facility.
• Attend supervision, clinical meetings, and continuing education to maintain credentials.
• Participate in treatment team meetings, case conferences, and program planning.
• Contribute to agency quality assurance and improvement initiatives.
• Maintain professional boundaries and standards. Treat clients with respect, care, and concern. Comply with confidentiality requirements at all times.
• Maintain familiarity with BHS policies and procedures and other applicable regulations; perform job duties accordingly. Represent BHS well in all contacts.
• Courteously answer phones, appropriately directing calls and taking messages. Facilitate client external communication as approved by supervisor.
• Attend meetings and trainings and participate in committees as assigned.
• Other duties as assigned.

Clinician I Competencies and Performance Expectations

• Ability to complete the above major tasks, duties and responsibilities
• Ability to demonstrate, apply evidence-based practices, and demonstrate evaluation, care coordination, and treatment skills
• If assigned to a SUD program, the ability to demonstrate knowledge and practice of 12 core competencies for SUD counselors and/or the BBS scope of practice, mandated core education, and clinical standards.
• If assigned to DMH program, ability to demonstrate knowledge of DMH P&P, BBS scope of practice, mandated core education, and clinical standards and train to these standards.
• Ability to effectively document within the required note structures (e.g., SOAP, GIRP, etc.)
• Ability to recognize the symptoms and develop knowledge of appropriate treatment associated with behavioral health conditions.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with multidisciplinary teams, community partners, and external providers to coordinate integrated services.

• Ability to identify and respond appropriately to a crisis within scope of practice including but not limited to overdose, behavioral challenges, contraband protocol, emergency codes, etc. 
• Ability to screen and/or assess acute intoxication and withdrawal symptoms within scope of practice.
• Ability to recognize personal biases when working with diverse populations and maintain cultural sensitivity at all times.
• Ability to recognize personal biases within diverse populations, maintain cultural sensitivity at all times, and train to these standards.

• Ability to demonstrate professional judgment and decision-making, including the ability to recognize and seek out supervision and/or consultation when required.
• Ability to present client history and behavioral impressions for further review.
• Ability to provide education, consultation, and in-service training for staff.
• Ability to protect clients’ rights and provideadvocacy for all clients.
• Ability to assess client status and make accurate diagnosis and develop care plans.
• Ability to adhere to professional standards.

Counselor II Competencies and Performance Expectations:

• Ability to complete the above major tasks, duties and responsibilities
• Ability to demonstrate professional judgment and decision-making, including ability to recognize and seek out supervision and/or consultation when required
• Ability to demonstrate familiarity with and practice of 12 core competencies for SUD counselors
• Ability to effectively document in required note structures (e.g., SOAP, GIRP, etc.)
• Ability to recognize the symptomsappropriately treatsubstance use and co-occurring disorders (i.e., mental health, medical health, etc.)
• Ability to identify and respond appropriately to a crisis within scope of practice including but not limited to overdose, behavioral challenges, contraband protocol, emergency codes, etc.
• Ability to screen and/or assess for acute intoxication and withdrawal symptoms within scope of practice
• Ability to meet productivity standards as assigned
• Ability to recognize personal biases within diverse populations. Maintain cultural sensitivity at all times.
• Ability to adhere to professional standards

Counselor III Competencies and Performance Expectations:

• Ability to complete the above major tasks, duties and responsibilities
• Ability to demonstrate and model professional judgment and decision-making, including ability to recognize and seek out supervision and/or consultation when required
• If assigned to SUD program, ability to demonstrate advanced knowledge and practice of 12 core competencies for SUD counselors
• Ability to effectively document in required note structures (e.g., SOAP, GIRP, etc.)
• Ability to recognize the symptomsappropriately treatsubstance use and co-occurring disorders (i.e., mental health, medical health, etc.)
• Ability to identify and respond appropriately to a crisis within scope of practice including but not limited to overdose, behavioral challenges, contraband protocol, emergency codes, etc.
• Ability to screen and/or assess for acute intoxication and withdrawal symptoms within scope of practice.
• Ability to meet productivity standards as assigned, and coach others in meeting productivity standards within the scope of practice.
• Ability to recognize personal biases within diverse populations. Maintain cultural sensitivity at all times.
• Ability to adhere to professional standards.

Qualifications

The following are the qualifications required to perform the essential functions of this position.  Qualifications may be subject to modification based on the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Master's degree in behavioral health field with current/active AMFT, ACSW, or APCC registration with California BBS.

Obtain NPI number, EMR system enrollment, and credentialing requirements within 30 days of employment. 

Ability to operate required computer programs for position, including but not limited to Microsoft Office Suite, electronic timekeeping system, electronic learning management system, upon hire or demonstrated competency developed within 90 days of employment. 

Must have valid California driver’s license and liability insurance if driving a personal or company vehicle on BHS business. 

Vision, hearing, manual dexterity, and eye-hand coordination must be adequate for the performance of job duties. Able to sit at a desk, use a keyboard, write and physically perform other job duties.  Able to move about the facility to observe clients and staff. Complete annual TB and maintain good standing. 

Specific qualifications may vary based on assignment. The supervisor will initial those items on the following list, which apply and write N/A to indicate those qualifications, which are not applicable: 

Bilingual abilities may be required within certain BHS programs.  

Specific qualifications may vary based on assignments. The supervisor will initial those items on the following list, which apply and write N/A to indicate those qualifications, which are not applicable:

Bilingual abilities may be required within certain BHS programs.