Substance Use Disorder Counselor

Job Summary

This position acts as an intake counselor to participants of the Reflections for Women/Inspiration for Men programs, adult residential programs who have severe substance use and co-occurring mental health disorders.

Individual stays are based on client needs and can be up to 90 days.

Located on the Ft. Logan Campus, Reflections for Women and Inspiration for Men are Medicaid funded programs, with Reflections for Women also being a Special Connections funded program and serving pregnant women and women with infant children.

Women with infant children 15 months of age or younger may reside with their child in treatment.

The residential programs provide comprehensive treatment services, including but not limited to, individual and group counseling, medication assisted treatment, psychiatric assessment and mental health services, specialized services for pregnant and parenting mothers, community reintegration, case management and coordination of aftercare services.

Key Responsibilities

• Assess clients for placement into a 3.5 or 3.1 level of residential care and assure transition into care.
• Complete ASAM Medicaid form/criteria to determine risk and level of care and submit prior authorizations (or within 24 hours of admission) to Utilization Manager to assure authorization.
• Assure proper documentation for Special Connections authorization.
• Conduct additional assessment of clients.
• Work with referring agents to assure proper placement of clients and a smooth transition into care.
• Assess mental health and detox needs and coordinate detox or MAT services as needed.
• Screen for priority populations and assure continued coordination with clients until admission into the program.
• Complete all intake documents per BHA standards and document in the electronic health record.
• Provide resources for people placed on the waitlist or who are not appropriate for our level of care.
• Provides program information to a wide range of individuals requesting information, including family members, potential clients, and other professional referral sources and presents the program thoroughly and completely so an individual has a clear understanding of what to expect while in treatment.
• Conducts tours and provides presentations with or for director as needed.
• Will attend staff meetings, training, and supervision as assigned.
• Will participate in clinical reviews and coordination of care as needed.
• May be called upon to assist in other clinical services as needed.

Why Work for the University?

We have AMAZING benefits and offer exceptional amounts of holiday, vacation and sick leave

The University of Colorado offers an excellent benefits package including:

• Medical: Multiple plan options
• Dental: Multiple plan options
• Additional Insurance: Disability, Life, Vision
• Retirement 401(a) Plan: Employer contributes 10% of your gross pay
• Paid Time Off: Accruals over the year
• Vacation Days: 22/year (maximum accrual 352 hours)
• Sick Days: 15/year (unlimited maximum accrual)
• Holiday Days: 10/year
• Tuition Benefit: Employees have access to this benefit on all CU campuses
• ECO Pass: Reduced rate RTD Bus and light rail service

Diversity and Equity

The University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus is committed to recruiting and supporting a diverse student body, faculty and administrative staff.

The university strives to promote a culture of inclusiveness, respect, communication and understanding.

We encourage applications from women, ethnically minoritized individuals, persons with disabilities, persons within the LGBTQ+ community and all veterans.

In addition, the Anschutz Campus has also been recognized as an Age-Friendly University.

The University of Colorado is committed to diversity and equality in education and employment.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• A master's degree in human services, psychology, counseling, social work, or a directly related field from an accredited institution.

Substitution:

• Certified Addictions Specialist (CAS) with five (5) years of professional experience in Mental Health, Behavioral Health, case management, research of Mental Health, Behavioral Health, or closely related field.
• Possess a valid registration in good standing with the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) as a Certified Addictions Specialist (CAS), Licensed Professional Counselor Candidate (LPC-C), Social Worker Candidate (SW-C), Marriage and Family Therapist Candidate (MFT-C), or Registered Psychotherapist/Unlicensed Psychotherapist (NLC).

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working in a substance use disorder treatment environment with a focus on women's issues (i.e., trauma; domestic violence; mental health treatment; parenting and child development; barriers women experience in treatment such as childcare or employment).
• Experience documenting clinical interventions according to established policies and procedures.
• Experience writing treatment plans.
• Experience completing ASAM and clinical assessments.
• Experience observing, monitoring and/or intervening in drug/alcohol treatment.
• Experience providing group and individualized clinical care for adult clients.
• Experience using an Electronic Health Record.

Conditions of Employment

Must agree to fingerprinting and criminal background check.

Required background checks include a review with the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) AND the Central Registry of Child Protection (Trails).

Subject to pre-employment, post-accident or incident or reasonable suspicion drug and alcohol testing per UCD Addiction Research and Treatment Services Department Policies.

Individuals in recovery from substance abuse must have one (1) year of abstinence from alcohol and drug problems.

Must possess and maintain a valid State of Colorado Driver's License or be able to obtain one within 30 days of hire.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Ability to communicate effectively, both in writing and orally.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees at all levels throughout the institution.
• Outstanding customer service skills.
• Demonstrated commitment and leadership ability to advance diversity and inclusion.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office programs and ability to learn software programs.
• Ability to establish boundaries with clients.
• Ability to manage difficult behaviors.
• Ability to track client progress through the development and updates of treatment plans.
• Ability to deliver individual and group counseling services.
• Ability to apply ethical guidelines of profession.
• Ability to be nonjudgmental and respectful of other's beliefs, values, and culture.
• Demonstrated commitment and leadership ability to advance diversity and inclusion.

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