Counselor

Position Summary:

Person in this position will be responsible for the counseling, group facilitation and case management of clients enrolled in the program. Essential Job Functions include those listed below.

Essential Job Functions:

• Deliver individual and group counseling services, case management services, education and community outreach services, and referrals to appropriate services and community resources as necessary.
• Oversee and provide intake and program orientation for the client and family members.
• Conduct assessment of psychological and social functioning and the development, implementation, and ongoing review of the clients Individual Treatment Plans, if required by the funding source.
• Participation in facilitating ancillary services, i.e., family support groups, family education groups, continuing care, networking with community agencies, developing and updating referral and resource information, etc.
• Maintenance of individual client treatment files in accordance with agency policies and procedures, including documentation of vocational/educational activities as well as all other pertinent documentation.
• General client supervision including facility operations, planning and scheduling therapeutic activities.
• Preparation of client progress reports, when necessary.
• Interaction with the criminal justice system and/or referral sources, when necessary.
• Embrace and embody the mission, vision, guiding principles, clinical vision, and goals of WestCare Foundation; and
• Perform any other duties as assigned.

Essential Qualifications:

Certifications/Licenses:

• Alcohol and Drug Certification in good standing by an agency approved and recognized by the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) is required at time of hire. Or registered with at least 75% of education complete.

Education:

• Graduation from an accredited four-year college with a degree in Addiction Counseling, Criminal Justice, Social Work, Psychology or related field is preferred, may substitute experience for education based on a review of experience and college transcripts.

Experience and Competencies:

• Three (1) year of experience in providing direct counseling services to persons with alcohol and/or drug problems is preferred.
• Completion of Clinical Supervision Certification is preferred.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Ability to exercise good judgment and discretion.
• Ability to work well in a team environment.
• Adherence to the highest standard of ethical conduct, especially to standards governing confidentiality.

• Professional appearance and demeanor.
• Must be culturally/linguistically sensitive to populations served.
• Ability to obtain and maintain clearance from California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR);
• Valid drivers license and ability to obtain and maintain WestCares vehicle insurance is required.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain Kern County Credentialing; and
• CPR Certification, First Aid Certification, and an annual Tuberculosis test.

Working Conditions:

• Work is primarily performed in an office or in a residential/outpatient treatment setting; and
• Some outdoor activities may be required.
• UA testing of clients is required.
• Must be able to de-escalate situations in the program.

Essential Physical and Mental Demands of the Job

The employee must be able to perform the following essential duties and activities with or without accommodation:

Physical Demands:

• Requires mobility and physical activity: Having an adequate range of body motion and mobility to work in an office, residential, or outdoor environment including standing and walking (even and uneven surfaces), sitting for extended periods of time, bending, twisting, reaching, balancing, occasional lifting and carrying of up to 10 pounds. Use of computer and telephone systems is required which includes coordination of eye and hand, and fine manipulation by the hands (typing, writing, and working with files). Requires the ability to defend oneself and clients in physically abusive situations through the use of approved physical de-escalation techniques.
• Requires talking: Expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word. Talking is required to impart oral information to employees, clients, patients, and the public, and in those activities in which the employee is required to convey detailed or important spoken instructions to others accurately, loudly, or quickly.
• Requires hearing: Hearing is required to receive and communicate detailed information through oral communication.
• Requires seeing: Clarity of vision at 20 inches or less and at distance. This factor is required to complete paperwork for many of the employees essential job functions and to observe client behavior and activities in and out of the facility.

• The normal work routine involves no exposure to human blood, body fluids or tissues. However, exposure or potential exposure may be required as a condition of employment. Appropriate personal protective equipment will be readily available to every employee.

Mental Demands:

• Requires the ability to collect and analyze complex numerical and written data and verbal information to reach logical conclusions.
• Requires the ability to work and cooperate with clients, co-workers, managers, the public and employees at all levels in order to exchange ideas, information, instructions and opinions.
• Requires the ability to work under stress and in emotionally charged settings.
• The ability to defend oneself and clients in mentally/verbally abusive situations through the use of approved mental/verbal de-escalation techniques.