Substance Abuse Counselor OMHC or Substance Abuse Counselor (School Placement)

Agency Overview

Interdynamics, Inc. is a behavioral Health Firm specializing in outpatient care. From its headquarters in Landover, Maryland, Interdynamics, Inc. serves diverse populations with diverse needs. In our continual commitment to quality service, we maintain a dedicated, qualified, and appropriately credentialed staff in behavioral health and substance abuse.

Job Duties, Responsibilities, and Major Competencies:

Reporting to the Clinical Supervisor, the Substance Abuse Counselor and/or School-Based is responsible for providing alcohol and drug treatment to children, adolescents, adults, and families.

• Include assessment/intake, treatment planning, individual and group therapy, case management, and related documentation, work collaboratively with other providers, perform assessments to evaluate Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse (AODA) issues, and identify other mental health-related concerns.
• Determine the level of AODA treatment needed for each patient based on appropriate diagnostic and ASAM patient placement criteria.
• Coordinate referrals to appropriate mental health clinicians when necessary.
• Conduct individual and group AODA counseling in alignment with evidence-based practice and clinical models in the treatment program.
• Arrange for and coordinate appropriate care for services that are not provided in the primary program.
• Formulate and implement individualized, patient-centered treatment plans.
• Ensure that each patient’s rights are protected and that they are provided with appropriate interventions based on ability to participate, cultural concerns, and diagnostic impression.
• Participate as an active member of the clinical treatment team, including participating in case staffing and supervision sessions, collaborating to provide coverage for provider absences, sharing expertise and clinical impressions with team members, and attending staff meetings and training.
• Maintain progress notes and other documentation required for the patient’s electronic medical record i.e., therapy notes, etc.
• Provide feedback on clinical and diagnostic matters to management staff.
• Participate in quality initiatives and utilization review activities as requested.
• Wherever appropriate and relevant, participate in orientation, new staff training, and supervising interns
• Work collaboratively in school systems with principals, guidance counselors, parents, and students to assess, manage crises and conduct risk assessment strategies
• Assesses and tracks clients’ stages of change readiness and stages of recovery.
• Provides supportive therapy and psycho-educational therapies to clients in individual, group, and family settings in the office and/or community setting.
• Acts as a liaison and collaborates with community agencies and/or families to maintain coordination of treatment goals.

Required Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities

• Knowledge of legal guidelines relating to alcohol, drug, and mental health counseling
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills
• Excellent interviewing and assessment skills
• Strong ability to translate assessment information into a treatment plan.
• Demonstrated success in working with a culturally diverse patient population and community
• Demonstrated ability in managing stress and crisis situations.
• Knowledge of local, state, and federal community resources available to patients
• Ability to work independently.
• Ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality and ethics.