11a - Staff Qualifications And Job Descriptions

Policy

Each staff position must be thoroughly outlined in a written description which contains the training, qualifications and responsibilities of that position. These descriptions are to be in conformity with Chapter 290-4-2 Rules and Regulations for Drug Abuse Treatment and Education Programs where applicable.

All employees in positions which require licenses (including drivers' licenses), certificates or registrations are responsible for ensuring these documents are current.

Procedure

  1. Before assuming any position within Recovery Works, the staff must read, understand, agree with and sign (with a witness present) the written job description for the position they are taking.

  2. Job Descriptions are updated annually to ensure they are still accurate.

  3. If the position being held requires a professional license or certificate, employee will sign a statement that they understand they are responsible for maintaining their own license or certification. (Exhibit A)

Attached are sample job descriptions which may be used initially.

Exhibit A

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF RESPONSIBILITY TO

MAINTAIN CURRENT LICENSE, CERTIFICATION OF REGISTRATION

NAME:_____________________________________________________________________

JOB TITLE:___________________________________________________________________

TYPE OF REQUIRED LICENSE/CERTIFICATE/REGISTRATION:______________________

___________________________________________________________________________

EXPIRATION DATE:__________________________________________________________

I understand that it is my responsibility to obtain and maintain a current license, certificate or

registration when necessary or appropriate. I understand that I am to advise my supervisor or

Human Resources office of any problem encountered regarding my license, certificate or

registration. I further understand that FAILURE to maintain a current license, certificate or

registration will result in separation from employment.

_____________________________

Signature of Employee

_____________________________

Date

Sample A

Substance Abuse Counselor

Working as a member of an interdisciplinary treatment team in an Intensive Ouptatient and Partial Hospitalization Facility, the Substance Abuse Counselor serves individuals with substance use disorders and co-occuring mental health disorders. The counselor provides initial program orientation, Assesses individuals’ substance use disorders. Assesses individual’s treatment needs and assists him/her to develop self-directed individual treatment goals.
Meets with individuals at established intervals to discuss progress toward goals. Works with the treatment team to identify unmet needs, review available resources, and suggest modifications to the treatment plan. Writes clear, concise, complete, grammatically correct, and timely progress notes that relate directly to the treatment outcomes described in the service plan. Completes discharge summaries and other documentation and reports accurately and timely. Assembles, analyzes, and interprets new/updated information about the client in order to reassess treatment needs.
Serve as case manager to facilitate and ensure communication, linkage, and continuity of care between clients, physicians, other organizational components, community resources and service providers. Establishes linkages and coordination of services with community agencies. Develops and maintains cooperative working relationships with community service providers. Informs clients and families of the availability of community advocacy and support groups.
With a focus on group dynamics and building a therapeutic milieu, counselor provides group, family, and individual counseling, psycho-education, skills-based training, and case management to individuals and their families/significant others. Designs counseling/education services that meet the individual needs of individuals served. Educates families/significant others on the addiction and recovery process and facilitates family support sessions as needed.

Your Responsibilities as a Substance Abuse Counselor:

  • Conduct individual counseling sessions as scheduled and documents as required;

  • Conduct group and/or family sessions as scheduled and documents as required;

  • May co-facilitate assigned group or family sessions;

  • Responsible for initial assessments, as well as follow up assessment, for patients;

  • Prepare an individual treatment plans for each assigned patient;

  • Ensure all documentation regarding patient care, treatment and incidents is completed timely and in a clear, concise manner;

  • May act as a liaison between referral sources and patients;

  • Provide crisis intervention to patients, as needed;

  • May plan for aftercare for assigned patients;

  • May act as a liaison with insurance carriers, as requested;

  • May provide case management duties for patients, ensuring individualized quality care;

  • Evaluate patient’ needs and determines if referrals to other programs or facilities are needed; and,

  • Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications | Education | Certifications:

  • Current addiction/substance abuse certification/license

  • CAC I, CACII, or higher preferred

  • Previous experience working with chemically dependent individuals a plus. Must demonstrate a positive, non-judgmental, and accepting attitude toward our patient population

Job Requirements

Your Skills and Qualifications as a Substance Abuse Counselor:

  • Bachelor's degree in social or health services field, with 2+ years exp in counseling field; or bachelor's degree in other field with 4+ years in the counseling field; master's degree in social or health services field, with 1 year professional work exp; degree must be from an accredited college or university.

  • The Certified Addiction Counselor provides professional substance abuse/mental health treatment relating to addiction and substance abuse, clinical case management and interventions for assigned clients.

A Drug & Alcohol Counselor is a specialized type of Counselor. Also known as: Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselor, Certified Drug and Alcohol Counselor, Addictions Counselor, Chemical Dependency Counselor, Substance Abuse Counselor, Drug and Alcohol Counsellor, Drug and Alcohol Counselor.

Typically, counselors work within a rigid program structure as determined by their employer. These programs are often implemented by facility managers and chiefs of staff. For example, the twelve step program may be used to treat alcohol addiction at a particular hospital or treatment facility where a counselor is employed.

Employee Signature:______________________________________Date:__________

Sample B

Counselor In Training

Working under supervision as a member of an interdisciplinary treatment team in an Intensive Ouptatient and Partial Hospitalization Facility, the Substance Abuse Counselor In Training serves individuals with substance use disorders and co-occuring mental health disorders. The Counselor In Training provides initial program orientation, assists in assessing individuals’ substance use disorders, assist’s in assessing individual’s treatment needs and assists him/her to develop self-directed individual treatment goals.

Your Responsibilities as a Substance Abuse Counselor in Training:

  • Conduct individual counseling sessions, under supervision, as scheduled and documents as required;

  • Conduct group and/or family sessions, under supervision, as scheduled and documents as required;

  • May co-facilitate assigned group or family sessions;

  • Responsible for initial assessments, as well as follow up assessment, for patients, under supervision;

  • Prepare an individual treatment plans for each assigned patient under supervision;

  • Ensure all documentation regarding patient care, treatment and incidents is completed timely and in a clear, concise manner;

  • May act as a liaison between referral sources and patients;

  • Provide crisis intervention to patients, as needed. under supervision;

  • May plan for aftercare for assigned patients under supervision;

  • May act as a liaison with insurance carriers, as requested;

  • May provide case management duties for patients, ensuring individualized quality care under supervision;

  • Evaluate patient’ needs and determines if referrals to other programs or facilities are needed under supervision; and,

  • Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications | Education | Certifications:

  • Working towards addiction/substance abuse certification/license

  • A Bachelor’s degree in social work, psychology, counseling, or a related field and two years of full-time work experience in the field of mental health. Any combination of an associate degree with two years of experience in community mental health outreach/case management or four years experience in community mental health outreach/case management may be substituted for a bachelor’s degree. High school diploma and no less than two years substance abuse experience.

Employee Signature:______________________________________Date:__________

Sample C

Clinical Director

Job Purpose: Reduces and treats alcohol and drug abuse by identifying abuse problems; designing, organizing, and coordinating services; advertising and promoting programs; disseminating information.

Provides Clinical Supervisions for paraprofessionals and individuals training to become certified substance abuse Counselors in the state of Georgia. The Clinical Director will maintain supervision contract with all employees’ of Recovery Works who provide direct services to clients and who are not currently licensed or credentialed and must meet the criteria for a Clinical Supervisor with either GACCA or ADACB.

The Clinical Director reviews notes and serves as the rendering provider for paraprofessionals providing services to clients and is responsible for reviewing and approving their clinical documentation.

Duties:

  • Meets with Clients and performs interviews

  • Preparation and approval of Written Treatment Plans in coordination with Medical Director and other rendering professionals.

  • Oversee the training and certification of paraprofessionals and certified counselors and insures that all documentation of the training is up to date.

  • Works with state credentialing boards to ensure staff is appropriately credentialed.

  • Establishes treatment programs by setting program objectives; developing protocols; coordinating staff and facility availability.

  • Establishes educational programs by assembling resources; coordinating instructor and counselor schedules.

  • Promotes education and treatment by disseminating information on the dangers of alcohol and drug abuse; making information available in easily accessible ways; encouraging participation in programs.

  • Explains education and treatment programs by presenting lectures and discussions; providing information regarding the recognition of alcohol and drug abuse symptoms and problems.

  • Integrates information systems by overseeing records requirements.

  • Provides program evaluation and control information by collecting, analyzing, and summarizing information and treatment data and trends.

  • Updates job knowledge by participating in educational opportunities; reading professional publications; maintaining personal networks; participating in professional organizations.

  • Enhances social services and organization reputation by accepting ownership for accomplishing new and different requests; exploring opportunities to add value to job accomplishments.

Skills/Qualifications:

Leadership• Listening• Motivating Others• Verbal Communication• Building Relationships• Resolving Conflict• People Skills• Confidentiality• Organization• Time Management• Quality Focus •Ability to work with State of Georgia DHR •Good oral and written communication skills. •Must be able to work cross-functionally and collaboratively with multiple groups.

Must comply with state practice acts and hold a minimum of an LPC or a CAC I. In the case of a CAC I, the Clinical Director must also hold a Clinical Supervisions Certification from either GACCA or ADACB.

Clinical Director Signature:______________________________________Date:__________


Sample D

Medical Director - Administrator

Psychiatrist – American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology certified/eligible MD licensed in GA– or a physician licensed in GA with ASAM or ABAM certification (if the agency delivers substance abuse services only) employed or under contract. Two or more years of training and experience diagnosing, treating and evaluating the effectiveness of treatment/support of the age and diagnosis specific population to be served.

OR:

A licensed MD who is board certified or board eligible in general family practice, internal medicine, or pediatrics employed or under contract.

Duties Include:

  • Provide direct medical, clinical, and quality management oversight of the entire facility.

  • Develop and implement internal policies and procedures for individual treatment/support services, admission, reevaluation, transfer and discharge, and the delivery of high-quality, medically necessary services and treatments that are clinically appropriate, current, are not experimental in nature, and are in compliance with identify and implement models of care for the age and diagnosis specific populations served that are individual and family centered, evidence-based, and provide a continuum of care approach for individuals.

  • Require staff to complete quality, comprehensive psychiatric evaluations and clinical assessments, including age and diagnosis specific level of care determinations.

  • Supervise, monitor and direct clinical staff, including physicians, nurse practitioners and physician’s assistants who may be serving the facility, through a regular physical presence in the agency, or through the use of videoconferencing including participation in peer review and quality of care audits.

  • Participate in staffing, consultation and clinical case review of complex or high risk individuals and coordinate clinical team meetings with the Clinical Director and other staff.

  • Review all individual, staff, and stakeholder health and safety concerns, including individual and aggregate agency incidents, elopements, medication errors, individual and staff injuries, and assume primary review, remediation, monitoring, and related reporting responsibilities to local, state, and national regulatory and accreditation agencies in cases involving the following:

  1. Medication diversion

  2. Any allegation or suspicion of physical or sexual assault, abuse or neglect

  3. Any injury or potential for injury of an individual receiving services, or staff member

  4. Any death of an Individual who received services from the CCP within the previous 120 calendar days

  • Develop communication and referral practices and collaborative relationships with the Medical Director(s), individuals’ primary care physicians, community psychiatrists, and other providers regarding issues related to individuals/families and the local system of care.

  • Provide supervision and oversight of medication evaluation and administration, including review of laboratory medical tests, dosing regimens and effectiveness, adverse drug reactions and side effects, patient, family, and staff medication education.

Employee Signature:______________________________________Date:__________

Sample E

Pastoral Counselor

Provide support and guidance to people of all ages and circumstances who are looking to approach their issues from a spiritual perspective. They help their clients address personal conflict, marriage and family, or spiritual issues.

Requirements:

  • Work as a member of our treatment team in our facility

  • This person will counsel and console clients in group and one on one settings.

  • This person will lead group and one on one bible studies.

  • They will build and maintain network of local pastors, chaplains and church leaders.

  • Serve individuals with substance use disorders and co-occurring mental health disorders.

  • With a focus on group dynamics and building a therapeutic rapport, counselor provides group, family, and individual counseling, psychoeducation, skills-based training, and case management to individuals and their families/significant others.

  • This person will document all client progress in their group counselling as well as client barriers in treatment.

Qualifications

Pastoral Counseling at Recovery Works must comply with State Practice Acts and unless licensed or certified must be under direct supervision while providing such services by an individual who holds such licensure or certification. In addition to direct supervision the pastoral counselor must maintain a clinical supervision contract and be working towards a licensure or certification.

Employee Signature:______________________________________Date:__________