STGi is currently seeking a qualified Substance Use Counselor candidates for the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and Veterans Affairs (VA) Supportive Housing (HUD/VASH) Program.
The Substance Use Counselor for the HUD VASH program will provide on-going substance use case management and treatment interventions to HUD-VASH participants. SUD treatment is critical for the Veteran homeless population as it is one of the primary barriers to permanent housing and stability. The SUD Counselor will provide the necessary treatment and support promoting recovery and quality of life improvement. This position requires substantial field/outreach work.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
Direct Service and Support
- Serve as a member of a multidisciplinary HUD-VASH team.
- Conduct intake and needs assessment of homeless Veterans and their families.
- Identify symptoms leading to clinical diagnosis of substance use disorder, provide all necessary assessment functions including interviewing, psychosocial histories, and substance use assessments to aid in the development of treatment plans.
- Develop comprehensive treatment plans with the Veteran that address the factors that contributed to homelessness, including substance use disorder and other co-occurring factors within a recovery model framework.
- Work with the Veteran to realize his/her/their treatment goals, reassess, and revises goals as indicated by the Veteran’s engagement in treatment.
- Organize and conduct individual and group case management including early interventions and supportive follow-up to ensure stability in home visits.
- Participate in policy making, goal setting, and treatment service planning discussions within the HUD-VASH program.
- Provide crisis management services (including periodic 24-hour coverage)
- Establish collaborative relationships with services providers inside and outside of the VA to ensure Veteran’s continuity of care with wrap-around services.
- Advocate on behalf of the Veteran to assist in the delivery of needed services.
- Attend daily/weekly meetings, supervision and case conferences as assigned.
Documentation and Data Collection
- Provide appropriate clinical documentation for all contact with, or about, Veterans.
- Responsible for the collection and review of statistical data to augment and advance the delivery and fulfillment of services to the Veteran.
- Contribute to the efficient running of the program by submitting reports in an accurate, timely fashion including entering contact notes within 72 hours of an encounter.
- Maintain clear and timely charts in the CPRS system of contact with the Veteran and other providers.
Required Skills
- Knowledge of/or experience with DSM diagnoses, assessment of level of functioning, EBP’s such as Motivational interviewing, Critical Time Intervention, DBT, Harm Reduction, Cognitive Behavioral Therapies, Trauma Informed Care, Housing First, PTSD, Personality Disorders, Substance Abuse, etc.
- Skill in a range of specialized interventions and treatment modalities used in substance use treatment programs or with special patient populations. This includes individual, group, and/or family counseling or psychotherapy and advance level psychosocial and/or case management.
- Ability to incorporate complex multiple causations in differential diagnosis and treatment within approved clinical privileges or scope of practice.
- Ability to work collaboratively with others and in a team.
- Takes initiative and has a solution focused practice.
- Uses good time management skills and resources to balance case load direct service and paperwork.
- Excellent verbal and nonverbal communication skills.
- Must have a current California driver’s license and insurance for regular driving and transporting.
Required Experience
- Certified Substance Abuse Counselor.
- Bachelor’s degree is REQUIRED from an accredited institution in sociology, psychology, social work, mental health counseling, or family therapy
- 1 year of demonstrated experience providing substance abuse counseling.
WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
- Possible exposure to inclement weather during visits with veterans in their community
- Work with people experiencing homelessness whether on the streets, in shelters or other places of habitation or services, may present inherent challenges and difficulties such as: exposure to bed bugs or other infestations, unpleasant smells or odors, individuals who may have poor hygiene or unclean homes due to homelessness, mental health symptoms, or poverty.
- Additionally, employees may encounter instances of profanity, sexually explicit or derogatory language, or verbal or physical expressions of anger and trauma. Very rarely do these situations ever escalate to physical contact, and negative or derogatory communication patterns can often be negotiated successfully. All direct care staff are provided adequate training to develop skills to deescalate crisis situations that may arise, and STGi has established procedural safeguards for all employees to mitigate (but not eliminate) these inherent risks of employment.
Pay Rate: $28/hr plus additional hourly rate for benefits and stipends offered
STGi is a workforce solutions company providing comprehensive healthcare delivery, Head Start and management consulting services and human capital solutions help our clients. Our services and solutions help our clients sustain and enhance their operations to better accomplish their mission.
STGi offers a competitive benefits package which includes Medical, Dental, Vision, 401k with company match and a generous PTO policy.
STGi is committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class.
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