The Chemical Dependency Counselor II, working in conjunction with the treatment team and under the direction of the Clinical Systems Supervisor, Lead Counselor, and/or Charge Nurse, is responsible for the therapeutic implementation of the chemical dependency treatment program for clients. This includes planning, coordinating, and delivering chemical dependency counseling services and developing relationships with family members and concerned persons.

Oversees and facilitates assessment process for individual clients.

• Reviews result of all assessment components and develop a summary of needs
• Develop treatment plan, which addresses problems identified through assessment
• Develops treatment plan and goals
• Actively involves the client and the family in the development of a treatment plan
• Communicates/consults with internal and external members of treatment team.
• Makes referrals for additional services as needed and follows up to assess client acceptance of/or appropriateness of referral
• Actively involves client in assessing progress on treatment goals and develops a workable plan for continuing recovery.
• Utilizes family and community resources to enhance client’s recovery plan
• Regularly reviews and updates to reflect client status.
• Produces reports/summaries documenting client progress

Facilitates one or more of the following components of treatment: orientation, as needed:

• Individual counseling
• Peer group
• Development assets group (Adolescent program only)
• Lectures and family groups
• Workshops, psycho-education and skills groups (Adult programs only)
• Care Coordination
• Uses community resources in making discharge plans
• Plans activities that bring services, resources and/or people together within a planned framework of action toward achievement of established goals
• Identifies needs that cannot be met by the program and assist the client to utilize support systems available
• Completes appropriate documentation of care coordination activities

Develops personally and professionally.

• Utilizes clinical supervisor and staff to feedback regarding needs
• Develops a plan to meet those needs
• Fulfills licensing and accreditation requirements regarding professional development
• Participates in process improvements
• Identifies improvement opportunities
• Assess the impact and quantification
• Tests and helps to implement solutions
• Promotes a culture of evidence based practice by participation in any of, but not limited to, the following activities:
• Demonstrates the ability to advance evidence based practice by utilizing standards, guidelines and pathways for care delivery. Incorporates data and information into practice to continually improve care and practice so that patient outcomes are enhanced.
• Maintains awareness of funding issues that may affect client outcomes and completes all related tasks

• Utilizing evidence based policies in clinical practice
• Attends and participates in learning opportunities about evidence based practice
• Membership in hospital or unit based practice council/research council
• Evidence based practice project (e.g. policy development or poster presentation)
• Journal club, journal article critique and circulation
• Literature review
• Development of standard/pathway/guideline for patient care
• Presentation
• Research study

Required Qualifications:

• LADC licensure or temporary license under special consideration
• If working with adolescents:
  • Has completed a minimum of 30 hours course work or one 3-credit semester college course in adolescent development
  • Has 150 hours of supervised experience as an adolescent counselor either as a student or staff member

• 18 years of age or older (21 years old if primary position is in the Chisago City Program)
• No felony conviction or have been incarcerated as a result of a felony conviction in the last three years
• Has not had a chemical use problem during the last two years.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelors Degree in human services, counseling, psychology or related field