Certified Alcohol & Drug Counselor II

At Virginia Garcia Memorial Health Center, we honor all members of our community and acknowledge the dignity of each person we serve. Our purpose is to provide high quality, comprehensive primary health care to the communities of Washington and Yamhill counties with a special emphasis on migrant and seasonal farm workers and a view to removing barriers to health care. We strive to provide an environment that welcomes and values the people we employ and serve.

If you are unsure whether you meet all the required qualifications for this role but are interested and passionate about this potential position, we encourage you to apply.

Job Summary: The Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADCI) is a member of the Behavioral/Mental Health department and is instrumental in our patient’s treatment and recovery from Substance Use Disorders CADCIs provide high quality, compassionate care through various mediums including individual and perhaps in the future, group counseling sessions. The CADCI will work with individual patients to plan, facilitate and document their recovery process. The primary focus of this position is to provide needed support services to patients with substance use disorders. This individual will also help support patients engaged in Medication Supported Recovery services, including those on medications for SUDs

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
• Provide Substance Use Disorder individual counseling.
• Provide assessment and treatment planning upon intake and throughout services as needed to determine appropriate level of care.
• Facilitate transfer to higher levels of care as assessed and appropriate.
• Provide relapse prevention support services and planning.
• Follow up frequently and regularly with patients who are struggling with relapse and/or have a high relapse potential.
• Update medical record and clinical documentation timely using Epic - EHR in compliance with regulatory and agency guidelines.
• Apply motivational interviewing techniques to promote engagement in treatment.
• Provide crisis intervention to patient, utilizing clinical judgement to support a safe and trauma informed treatment environment.
• Act as a liaison to promote skilled outreach services to be offered when needed and within the requirements of funders. This includes individual or group service provision, psycho-education and instruction for patients and caregivers supporting the delivery of ongoing care as needed.
• Provide management of care for patients, ensuring individualized quality care in conjunction with medical care team, as needed.
• Ensure appropriate procedures are developed and followed regarding community based and clinic safety protocols.
• Promote agency initiatives and focus of patient sub-populations as determined by agency executive team.
• Attend agency and community meetings as appropriate and determined in collaboration with supervisor.
• Initiate and participate in patient care inter- and multi-disciplinary case conferences and educational and program service programs.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• Handle protected health information (PHI) in a manner consistent with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA).

HIPAA Requirements
The Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor will have access to PHI during the course of their work activities. They will use the information to provide individual patient assessments to be used in the development of comprehensive integrated medical care services. Applying the minimum necessary standard of HIPAA, the designated record sets to which this position will have access include: all sections of the medical record, patient demographic information in the practice management system, incoming records, reports, results, consultations, etc. This position is required to read the content of these records only to the extent needed to accomplish the assigned tasks. SUD related notes will be restricted as appropriate to comply with confidentiality regulations around substance use disorders

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required
• Knowledge of methods of behavioral medicine and evidence-based treatments for medical, mental and substance use conditions.
• Knowledge of the problems and dynamics in treating medically underserved populations.
• Demonstrated knowledge of community health, welfare, resources, referral sources, and social agencies is required.
• Ability to apply age specific principles of growth and development and life stages to meet each patient’s needs, commensurate with educational preparation.
• Skills in de-escalation and knowledge of best practices for working with patients who may be in crisis
• Proficiency with MS Office Suite (Excel, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint). Prior EMR experience preferred.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to organize and prioritize tasks.
• Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines.
• Strong analytical, attention to detail and problem solving skills.
• Ability to work successfully as a primary health care team member.
• Collaborative/cooperative working and communication skills.
• Valid driver’s license, reliable transportation, safe driving record and active auto insurance coverage.
• Bilingual English/Spanish language skills (speaking, reading and writing) preferred.

Education and Experience Required
• Bachelor’s degree in Human Service field from an accredited institution preferred.
• CADC with a minimum of two years Substance Use Disorder Treatment experience; CADC-II strongly preferred.
• Experience facilitating and consulting with interdisciplinary teams.
• Experience with substance use disorders providing assessment, treatment planning, individual and groups counseling with youth or adults using patient-centered, trauma-informed care practices.
• Experience working in a multi-cultural, diverse environment.
• Experience in community health care working with indigent populations preferred.

Behavioral Competencies:
Accountability: Role model VG’s mission, vision, and shared values
Customer-Focus: Listen to the voice of the customer and strive to delight them by exceeding their expectations
Teamwork: If someone needs help, help them
Initiative: Be innovative, apply fresh ideas, and continuously improve how you do your work
Confidentiality: Maintain strict confidentiality and respect the privacy of others
Ethical: Demonstrate integrity, honesty, and stewardship in all encounters at work
Respect: Demonstrate consideration and appreciation for co-workers and patients
Communication: Demonstrate the ability to convey thoughts and ideas as well as understand perspective of others

Physical Requirements
Percentage of time spent
• Standing/Walking: up to 20%
• Sitting: up to 90%
• Lifting/Carrying: less than 5%; may occasionally lift up to 20 lbs.
• Travel to multiple locations within Washington and Yamhill counties.

Working Environment/Physical Hazards
• Work in well-lighted, ventilated office environment.

Office equipment used
• Computer: databases and word processing
• Telephone, fax, copier, scanner

Immunization:
Staff members must meet immunization requirements as stated in VGMHC’s immunization policy and state and federal guidelines.
Job descriptions represent a general outline of the essential and major job duties, functions and qualifications required. They cannot be all-inclusive and comprehensive due to the dynamic nature of work performed to accomplish VGMHC’s Mission.
VGMHC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. No person is unlawfully excluded from consideration for employment because of race, color, religious creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, age, veteran status, marital status, or physical challenges. The policy applies not only to recruitment and hiring practices, but also includes affirmative action in placement, promotion, transfer, rate of pay and termination.