Revised: 8/17/22

 

Title:                    Substance Abuse Counselor

 

Supervisor:        Executive Director

 

Objective:          To provide counsel and support to formerly homeless individuals/families struggling with drug    

or alcohol misuse/dependency in supportive housing settings.  This position will be part of a cross-agency, multi-disciplinary mobile team working with clients of various agencies, including St. Elizabeth Shelters & Supportive Housing, The Lifelink, Casa Milagro.   The position will be under the auspices of St. Elizabeth’s.

 

Salary:                  $60,000 -- $75,000 per year, depending on experience and qualifications

 

Status:                  Full-Time FLSA non-exempt Employee

 

 

Responsibilities

 

• Counsel individuals in individual or group sessions by listening to their stories, concerns or issues and providing feedback, including teaching them coping techniques and offering advice on their current situations

• Work with clients to address substance use/misuse/addiction as a means toward maintaining safe, stable and supportive housing

• Develop treatment plans and create coping strategies in collaboration with other internal and external service providers

• Conduct research as needed to develop new treatment methods and to stay up-to-date on changes within the field

• Assist with general monitoring of in-house patients as needed based upon availability and staffing needs

• Maintain history log of encounters with clients

• Gather demographic data on clients for reporting purposes, including income, gender, age, race and

• ​

• Agree to comply with all agency policies and procedures as outline in the employee handbook, including how to handle client grievances, proper intake procedures, staff meeting requirements and general code of conduct.

 

 

 

 

Other Duties as Assigned

Requirements

 

Credentials/Qualifications

• Actively licensed in the state of New Mexico as a Licensed Addiction and Drug Abuse Counselor (LADAC).Must be licensed at time of hire and continue licensure throughout employment.

• Experience providing individual and group counseling for clients with substance/addictive issues.

• In the case of recovering alcoholic/addict, he/she/they must have successfully maintained a two (2) year period of uninterrupted recovery from alcohol and/or drugs.

• Ability to work as a team member and cooperatively with both shelter and supportive housing staff to ensure best outcomes for clients.

• Excellent written and oral communication skills.

• Able to establish and maintain effective working relationships with tenants and their diverse challenges.

• Ability to observe, assess, and record symptoms, reactions and client progress.

• Skill in preparing, maintaining and overseeing client records.

• Ability to react calmly and effectively in emergency or crisis situations.

• Ability to maintain quality and safety standards.

• Computer experience, knowledge of or demonstrated ability to learn Access, Word, Excel, and other computer programs as necessary.

• Ability to solve unexpected problems as they arise while considering liability, precedence, programmatic implications and other possible future impacts on programs, services, or the organization.

• Ability to maintain effective working relationships with all levels within the various organizations and with external stakeholders.

 

 

Experience and Skills

Spanish speaking preferred

Experience working with homeless individuals and/or families preferred

Willing and able to work with diverse populations

Effective communication skills

Computer proficient

Knowledge of the unique cultural heritage of northern New Mexico

 

Other

Valid driver’s license and proof of insurance

Willing and able to work irregular hours and have a flexible work schedule

Ability to lift 20 pounds