PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)
In the Departments of Mental Health and Addiction Services and Veterans’ Affairs this class is accountable for providing specialized counseling services to clients in a behavioral health treatment program.
EXAMPLES OF DUTIES
- Provides counseling services to alcohol and drug dependent clients;
- Screens clients to determine eligibility for programs;
- Assesses strengths, weaknesses and treatment needs;
- Orients clients to treatment program;
- Participates in treatment planning and individual and/or group counseling;
- Responsible for case management activities;
- Provides crisis intervention services in response to emotional and/or physical distress;
- Makes referrals to outside or other programs for medical and/or psychological intervention;
- Maintains confidential reports and records of client data;
- Represents program at community events and seminars;
- Educates clients on substance abuse issues and availability of resources;
- Consults with service providers to assure comprehensive integrated care;
- May escort clients;
- May provide coverage duties;
- May collect urine for drug screening;
- Performs related duties as required.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY
- Knowledge of
- physical, psychological, social, family and economic effects of substance abuse;
- counseling principles and techniques;
- community resources;
- confidentiality provisions;
- infectious diseases;
- Considerable
- interpersonal skills;
- oral and written communication skills;
- Ability to gather, analyze and evaluate information pertinent to treatment, diagnosis and rehabilitation of an individual.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS – GENERAL EXPERIENCE
Certification from the Connecticut Department of Public Health as an Alcohol and Drug Counselor and three (3) years of experience involving risk reduction education and counseling to assist alcohol and drug dependent individuals.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS – SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED
- Licensure from the Connecticut Department of Public Health as an Alcohol and Drug Counselor may be substituted for the General Experience.
- For state employees three (3) years of experience as a Certified Addiction Counselor Trainee may be substituted for the General Experience.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Experience with counseling services to alcohol and drug dependent clients.
- Experience facilitating group counseling services to alcohol and drug dependent clients.
- Experience with other agency service providers and community outreach.
- Experience with case management activities.
- Experience with discharge planning.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
- Incumbents in this class must retain the certification and/or licensure outlined above.
- Individuals recovering from addiction to alcohol or drugs are required to have two (2) years of substance free time to be considered for a position in a substance abuse program.
- Incumbents in this class may be required to speak a foreign language or be fluent in American Sign Language.
- Incumbents in this class may be required to possess and retain a valid driver’s license.
- Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
A medical and/or psychiatric examination may be required prior to appointment.
WORKING CONDITIONS
Incumbents in this class may be required to perform moderate amounts of lifting or restraining of patients and exposed to communicable and/or infectious diseases and risk of injury from assaultive and/or abusive patients.