The Addictions Counselor Specialist position is located in the Community & Family Services Division under the supervision of the Addictions Coordinator and the Behavioral Health Clinical Director.  This position will become an integral member of the Behavioral Health Department and works collaboratively with other Behavioral Health Services staff to provide comprehensive, holistic behavioral health services to those clients seeking to recover from addictions.  This position will serve the two specialized programs of Recovery Camps and the Tribal Opioid Response programs.

It is of utmost importance that the Addictions Counselor Specialist provides regular groups and one-on-one counseling for recovery from addictions within the Recovery Camps and within assigned communities, works with the Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) clients as a specialist, ensures clarity in all communications for which he/she is responsible- both written and verbal, and meets the highest standards of confidentiality, accuracy, and professionalism.

Major Responsibilities:

MAT/OBOT Counselor:

The MAT (Medication Assisted Treatment)/ OBOT (Office-Based Opioid Treatment) Counselor ensures that all communications for which he/she is responsible, both written and verbal, meet the highest standards of confidentiality, accuracy and professionalism.  A MAT/OBOT Counselor works as the “glue person” in diverse areas, initiating and providing assessment and treatment of emotional, behavioral, and psychological concerns of opioid addicted people.  This position carries responsibility for assisting in the recovery and healing process for beneficiaries.  Primary responsibilities include but are not limited to:

1. Provide culturally appropriate individual, couples, and family and group addictions recovery services.  Conduct chemical dependency treatment and therapeutic recovery support services.  Be knowledgeable in and able to provide distance therapy sessions, psychoeducational training, and crisis interventions using technological tools.
2. Coordinate with Health Services (both internal and external) for physician, PA, and/or NP administration of suboxone, naloxone, and naltrexone as needed for the MAT Program.
3. Provide expertise in addictions ranging from opioids to methamphetamines to exotic drug choices to common addictions.
4. Act as the “glue person” to coordinate optimal care and to maintain lines of communication and expectations for the client and the service partners.
5. Provide comprehensive bio-psycho-social assessments, treatment plans, and referrals.
6. Prepare and maintain confidential records and program reports (including program evaluation) and adhere to governmental and organizational confidential.
7. Remain current with all documentation (client records and agency reports) using AKAIMS, CERNER (for scheduling) and/or other prescribed documentation programs.
8. Provide psycho-educational information for individuals, school and community groups.
9. Provide oversight and clinical assistance to other Addictions professionals as-needed and directed by the Clinical Director.
10. Complete periodic Progress Reports (quarterly reports, annual reports, etc.) for the program funders.
11. Oversee and ensure the administration, collection, and reporting on Community Readiness Assessments (CRA’s) as required by the funding agency.
12. Attend workshops, conferences and other forms of training as necessary.

Addictions Counselor (Camp Addictions Counselor):

An Addictions Counselor works in diverse areas, initiating and providing assessment and treatment of emotional, behavioral, psychological, and physical (such as in the cases of active intoxication or withdrawals) habits and addictions.  This position carries responsibility for assisting in the recovery and healing process for clients of the Behavioral Health Department.  Primary responsibilities include but are not limited to:

1. Provide assessments for the clients of the Behavioral Health Department including outpatient substance abuse, residential treatment, and court referrals as needed.
2. Provide and facilitate group counseling for substance abusing, addicted, and/or co-occurring condition clients.
3. Coordinate and provide Continuing Care or Aftercare and continuing contacts for all program participants through frequent telephone or face-to-face contacts (*vital to this position*).
4. Provide individual counseling, when necessary or requested.
5. Help Addictions Camp Coordinator with all activities associated with establishing an Addictions Recovery Camp (all counseling, running groups, assessing, providing treatment plans, logistics, etc.).
6. Network, collaborate, and correspond with agencies working with clients. 
7. Provide coverage for other Addictions Counselors through outpatient counseling services while these counselors are unavailable.
8. Maintain a spectrum of clinical services to assist clients in transition from residential to outpatient and aftercare as needed
9. Document client progress through the Indian Health Service’s RPMS, the State of Alaska AKAIMS documentation program, or other system as directed by the Addictions Camp Coordinator.
10. Under the supervision of the Addictions Camp Coordinator, set up client files and ensure that documentation is complete as well as HIPAA and Medicaid compliant.
11. Participate in the BHD treatment team staffing and ensure team work in the provision of services as requested.
12. Maintain data as required by the Director and submit reports as needed.
13. Attend required meetings and trainings.
14. Maintain confidentiality and professionalism in regard to client, staff, and program matters.
15. Assist in program planning and development of the outpatient addictions program.
16. Provide psycho-educational information for individuals, school and community groups as requested.

Perform other duties as assigned and as seen as needed.

Education Requirements

• Must have a bachelor’s degree or higher in Mental Health, Psychology, Social Work, or a related field.
• Must have specialized training in opioid treatment and at least one year of career experience.
• Exercises discretion and independent judgment in all areas of job performance including adherence to appropriate professional boundaries and strict confidentiality practices in regard to beneficiary activities and documentation.
• Recovering substance abuser must be alcohol and drug free for at least two years; he/she will not abuse alcohol/drugs while employed, and, when requested, submit to random urinalysis testing.
• Must be willing to work in the evenings on weekdays between 4:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m., sometimes later.
• Applies sound clinical judgment, ethics, and accountability to formulate and implement treatment plans and other clinical documentation.
• Must have a positive attitude and a strong customer service mindset.
• Ability to take initiative in problem solving.
• Strong interpersonal skills with ability to communicate with a wide range of people.
• Well-organized, self-motivated and independent worker; understands the need to prioritize work.
• Takes record keeping and file management seriously.
• Maintains high standards for professional work.
• Strong sense of personal responsibility and integrity.

Hours of work are five days per week on days considered highest need, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. with one hour for lunch, occasional evenings and regular days off (when camps are in session) as-needed.  

Chugachmiut maintains a drug/alcohol free and non-smoking environment.

Benefits:  

Chugachmiut offers its employees a generous and robust benefits package.

Please visit www.chugachmiut.org for a complete list of our benefits.

Chugachmiut has a hiring preference for qualified Alaska Native and American Indian applicants pursuant to P.L. 93-638 Indian Self Determination Act.

Applicants for Employment:  All applicants offered employment with Chugachmiut will be subject to a background investigation. Offers of employment are contingent on the successful completion of a background investigation conducted in accordance with Chugachmiut policy and Public Law 101.630.

Every offer of employment with Chugachmiut will be made contingent on a background investigation. The nature and extent of the investigation will depend on the job duties of the position for which an offer is made.

USE OF INFORMATION OBTAINED IN A BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION

Information obtained from a background investigation will be considered for employment purposes as permitted by federal and state law and in accordance with Chugachmiut’s policy.

Information will be reviewed to determine:

• Whether an individual made false statements or material omissions on an application for employment or during an interview;
• Whether an applicant or employee, based on the job duties of the position in question, poses a threat to security and/or employee safety in the workplace; and
• The likelihood of an applicant or employee being successful and productive on the job.

E-Verify

Chugachmiut participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with the Form I-9 information to confirm authorization to work in the United States once a candidate is hired. If E-Verify cannot confirm authorization to work, written instructions will be provided and an opportunity to contact the Department of Homeland Security or Social Security Administration for resolution.