Counselor – Evening

Job Title: Counselor – Evening

Location: Lakeview, IL

Reports To: Program Director

FLSA Classification: Hourly/Non-Exempt

Who we are:

Symetria Recovery provides comprehensive substance abuse treatment with a focus on Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) in a welcoming outpatient setting. Unlimited clinical services are available to our patients under our bundled-service delivery model. Key services delivered through our Opioid Treatment Program (OTP) licensure include MAT, medically monitored psychiatric care, individual therapy, group therapy (IOP), 6-day-per-week nursing care, and ongoing aftercare. Most of our patients being provided medication receive Buprenorphine products, but they can also receive Methadone, injectables (Vivitrol, Sublocade), and any other FDA approved medication for addiction.

Symetria is an innovative and growing company looking for hard working and passionate people to join our team!

Job Purpose:

Completes comprehensive assessment of a patient’s substance-use history and treatment requirements, and prepares individualized, developmentally appropriate treatment plan. Provides individual and group counseling, as well as psychoeducation, in accordance with treatment plan. Documents treatment and discharge plans, and client’s responses to treatment, including ASAM continued-stay determinations. Maintains related records and charts. Performs case management and contributes to client care monitoring.

Degree of Supervision:

The counselor receives monthly individual supervision and a weekly group supervision. Additionally, the counselor participates in multidisciplinary team staffing weekly. The counselor’s group-facilitation practices are observed and supervised quarterly. During staffing, the counselor discusses his/her patients with an emphasis on cases that require added attention based on risk, health and patient safety.

Job Responsibilities:

• ¯ Completes comprehensive assessment within program guidelines, and formulates diagnostic impression, by conducting patient and/or collateral interviews, reviewing substance abuse and treatment history, and conferring with staff and referral sources.
• ¯ Prepares individualized treatment plan, in accordance with established standards and deadlines, consistent with assessment, and in conjunction with patient and supervisor, to include developmentally appropriate goals, interventions, and necessary support or referral services. Evaluate patient response to treatment and modifies treatment plan or recommends continued stay as circumstances require.
• ¯ Develops patient discharge plans that integrate aftercare treatment and utilization of appropriate referral resources.
• ¯ Conducts individual counseling sessions with patients in accordance with treatment plan or as necessary for crisis intervention.
• ¯ Prepares and conducts group counseling sessions; facilitates discussion and interaction; and enables group members to understand and accept responsibility for recovery process and acquire necessary coping and behavioral management skills.
• ¯ Documents treatment plans, narrative progress notes, interventions, treatments, evaluations, discharge summaries, treatment plan reviews, and so forth; and maintains patient records and charts in accordance with organizational, regulatory, accreditation, and contractual standards.
• ¯ Maintains regular communication with patient family members or other supports; as well as collaterals and referents for whom releases have been executed. Prepares written reports and correspondence, as necessary.
• ¯ Performs case management, and serves as patient advocate, by obtaining, coordinating, and scheduling additional medical or psychiatric treatment; or other biopsychosocial services indicated to support patient’s progress and recovery. Maintains rapport with local community resources to ensure effective referral options and contacts.
• ¯ Contributes to patient care monitoring, which requires regular reporting of caseload activities and results to supervisors and participating in clinical staff meetings to review patient progress and treatment plans and recommend continuation or modification of treatment.
• ¯ Attends job-specific trainings offered within and outside the organization to enhance job skills and knowledge.
• ¯ Develops and utilizes knowledge of federal and state rules and regulations governing confidentiality.
• ¯ Participates in performance improvement activities as appropriate.

• ¯ Participate in community and professional education, training, and conferences. Develop and maintain professional relationships with partners, referral sources and outside constituents.
• ¯ Any and all duties as assigned.

Experience, Skills and/or Requirements

• ¯ Advanced communication skills; and knowledge of group and individual dynamics, conflict resolution, intervention techniques and evidence-based addiction treatment theory and practice; at a level normally acquired through completion of a bachelor’s degree in psychology, social work, mental health counseling or substance abuse counseling.

Minimum associate degree required.

• ¯ Ability to perform assessment, treatment planning, and counseling, with minimal supervision and direction, at a level normally acquired through two years prior experience in the substance abuse field.
• ¯ Current certification or qualification as an alcohol, drug or substance abuse counselor as required by company, association, board, or commission in state of employment. A clinical license, LPC, LCPC, LSW, LCSW, will suffice in place of or in addition to current certification.
• ¯ Advanced interpersonal skills necessary to encourage and support patients through challenging phases of recovery; provide effective counseling through appropriate empathy, support, intervention, direction, and conflict resolution; interact effectively with family members; and maintain effective relationships with outside agencies and referral sources or services.
• ¯ Analytical abilities necessary to conduct comprehensive assessments, prepare treatment plans, provide counseling, and case management, and complete progress evaluations and related reports.

Physical Requirements

• ¯ Receives and follows detailed instructions.
• ¯ Requires corrected vision and hearing to normal range.
• ¯ Requires occasional bending, reaching, and stretching.
• ¯ Must be capable of working under pressure as well as communicating, organizing, and planning efficiently.
• ¯ May be required to sit or stand for extended periods of time and demonstrate manual dexterity while performing job duties.
• ¯ Must be able to concentrate for extended periods of time, paying attention to detail.
• ¯ Must be able to receive and follow, as well as give detailed instructions.
• ¯ Requires sitting for long periods of time.
• ¯ Some bending, lifting, stooping, and stretching required. Requires normal range of hearing and eyesight.