ARCH FAMILY COUNSELOR

TITLE: Adolescent Family Counselor

DEPARTMENT: ARCH

REPORTS TO: Executive Director, Program Director, Manager or Supervisor

FLSA STATUS: Exempt

DATE REVISED: January 18, 2024

POSITION SUMMARY

The Residential Family Counselor provides services that encompass the Eight Domains of Addiction Counseling: clinical evaluation, treatment planning, referral, service coordination, counseling (individual, family, and group), education, (patient, family, and community), documentation, and professional and ethical responsibilities). This position practices within the Cumberland Heights and ARCH Academy Model of Care, according to each counselor’s education and training, experience, credentials, and license. Counselors serve as the primary liaison between the patient and/or family and the rest of the residential treatment team, working closely to create a patient and family centered individualized plan of care that supports long term recovery. The Counselor position may function in a primary, float, or family counselor role and reports to the Program Director of the assigned residential program.

PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Manages a group of patients and coordinates their treatment and services within and across the residential continuum of care, including transitions to the next level of care, based on collaboration with the patient, family, and concerned others, in conjunction with the clinical treatment team, as well as clinicians at the next level of care.
• Clinically evaluates the goals, preferences, needs, barriers, and strengths of the patient and support system, using a variety of standardized and empirical tools for the purposes of treatment planning. Educated and familiar with adolescent issues such as development and impact of substances abuse.
• Diagnoses substance use disorders and/or other co-occurring mental health disorders within limits of scope of practice as defined by education, training, and license, coordinating closely with physicians and psychiatric nurse practitioners as needed.
• Collaboratively creates a patient centered plan of care to support behavioral change toward patient’s goals in establishing ongoing recovery management, including review and revision of the plan of care as needed, as well as creating continuing care plans for the next step on the continuum of care.
• Provides a variety of interactive psycho-educational groups focused on substance use disorders, common mental health issues, and skills to address these for patients and families, including provision of professional and peer support resources internally and in the community.
• Facilitates individual, group and family counseling and/or therapy sessions, within scope of practice as defined by education, training, and license, utilizing evidence-based practices as defined within the Cumberland Heights Model of Care.
• Documents clinical activities in patient record according to established policies and procedures.
• Participates in daily and weekly team meetings and treatment plan review, as well as individual and group clinical supervision, according to organizational policy and license requirements
• Collaborates with internal utilization review specialists and case manager, as well as specific third-party payor case managers, to provide the necessary information for concurrent review and benefit authorization for the patient’s care, including providing education and clarification for patient and family as needed.
• Collaborates with patients, families, case managers, and financial advisors, to thoughtfully utilize financial resources for care.
• Communicates regularly with a wide variety of people in relationship with the patient, including family members, employee assistance professionals, physicians, referrals, judges, probation officers, etc., regarding treatment progress and continuing care needs, as releases of information and applicable law allow.
• In conjunction with clinical support team, assists in monitoring and managing patient community as a therapeutic milieu, including working with patients with behavioral struggles in a manner that supports the individual patient and the community.
• Intervenes in crises to deescalate situation and resolve crises, using events as entries into therapeutic process for patient.
• Performs CPR and First Aid as needed
• As assigned, provides clinical supervision and/or daily task supervision for clinicians seeking initial license, interns, and clinical support staff within scope of practice defined by education, training, and license to meet supervisees’ goals and to resolve any issues/concerns
• Serves on a variety of administrative and quality management teams as clinical representative as assigned
• Represents Cumberland Heights at outside professional meetings as needed, including presentations and marketing/development activities as assigned
• As part of a team, provides a therapeutic environment conducive to healing for patients and families throughout the continuum of care.
• Recommends ways to improve the quality and delivery of services.
• Ensures proper handling and distribution of company funds as needed.
• Maintains confidentiality of company and patient information.
• Reacts productively to change.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

JOB SKILLS & REQUIREMENTS:

• Master’s Degree in related field (e.g., counseling, counseling psychology, marriage and family therapy, social work) or LADAC I required with LADAC II preferred; LCSW, LPC-MHSP, or equivalency also preferred.
• One year experience involving addictions related treatment involving age/population specific addiction treatment required with five year preferred; and/or equivalent experience in job related activities; addiction specific Master’s Coursework and/or internships and practicums are a plus.
• Commitment to practice within professional codes of ethics, including NAADAC
• Strong computer skills including Microsoft (Outlook)
• Ability to learn and use various clinical software, including electronic medical records.
• Proficient with current video and media technology (slide decks, internet clips, etc.) for teaching purposes.
• Ability to skillfully adapt to changing circumstances and patient needs.
• Ability to be open and culturally humble to a wide variety of patients’ experiences that may be outside the counselor’s own, including the full span of human development.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills with the ability to effectively speak, read and write in English; second language, particularly Spanish a plus
• Ability to teach, model and use evidence-based counseling practices in support of 12 Step philosophy
• Ability to interact with co-workers in a collaborative and courteous manner.
• Ability to deescalate a person in crisis in a calm and supportive manner; work calmly and professionally in stressful situations and ally with people in crisis
• Ability to self-manage to maintain a therapeutic environment using a variety of behavior management skills
• Knowledge of and ability to apply information regarding age/cultural/population specific characteristics to patient care.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Position is in an office, group room, or larger community settings that involves everyday risks or discomforts requiring normal safety precautions.
• Position requires frequent contact with people in crisis, including those who are emotionally volatile and may require additional safety precautions.
• May perform CPR/First Aid as needed (being certified or eligible is required)
• Position is subject to varying shifts, including weekends as well as staying overnight for inclement weather as part of critical staffing.
• Ability to lift up to 20lbs and/or push pull up to 40lbs; move around campus on uneven and rural terrain.
• Ability to speak, hear, see, sit, walk, stand, reach and use fine/gross motor skills