Lead Counselor, WHRP

Come work with a supportive team to help women lead safer, healthier lives!

The Benedict Center values its staff members - people who want to work with purpose, making a difference in our communities.

POSITION:        Lead Counselor, Women’s Harm Reduction Program (Full Time)

REPORTS TO:  Clinical Program Director

SALARY:           $59,000-$62,000

POSITION PURPOSE:    The primary responsibility for this position is to provide AODA and Mental Health therapy/treatment to program participants including group, individual, and family sessions as needed. 

RESPONSIBILITIES:  This position is primarily responsible for providing counseling for women referred to our program.  Approximately 15-20% will be dedicated to clinical supervision duties as the team lead for substance use counselors in training. Specific responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:

Counselor (80 to 85%)

• Conduct mental health and substance use assessments with clients and develop appropriate treatment plans, and treatment plan reviews
• Utilize the DSM-5 in conjunction with an AODA screen and assessment to diagnose and create treatment plans
• Complete all documentation for assessments, treatment plans, individual/group contact notes, discharge summaries, and all other documentation to comply with all state certification regulations
• Complete reports and documentation that are required for community corrections, courts, other agencies and funding sources
• Facilitate evidence-based groups (curricula provided) as assigned, and provide coaching and role-modeling for newer staff and interns.
• Provide individual counseling to participants on caseload
• Maintain positive working relationships with Benedict Center treatment team, other program staff, and staff from other agencies providing ongoing care or supervision of client for coordination of client services
• Attend weekly staff meetings and monthly staffing with medical director and system partners
• Attend scheduled clinical supervision meetings as prescribed by state statutes
• Coordinate drug screens from participants, when indicated
• Attend in-service training and staff development activities
• Attend other trainings as is deemed necessary to provide services and for professional credentialing

Team Lead/ Clinical Supervision (15-20%)

• Provide weekly SAC-focused supervision for approximately 2-4 interns and staff members who hold SAC-IT credentials.
• Provides weekly clinical supervision for staff and interns as outlined by State Regulations (DHS 75) and other contract requirements and training for 2-4 interns and staff members with SAC-IT credentials.
• Attends clinical supervision with Medical Director for monthly staffing of SAC-IT cases.
• Perform chart review and documentation supervision for SAC-IT’s and assist Clinical Program Director with chart audits and improvements where needed.
• Provide crisis management as needed.
• Keeps abreast and identifies best practice approaches that are grounded in evidence based, gender-responsive, trauma-informed and harm reduction principles.
• Contributes relevant feedback to Clinical Director’s evaluation of SAC-IT level interns and staff. 

Mission and Values Focus:

• Agree, uphold and demonstrate our mission to help women affected by the criminal justice system find hope and lead safer and healthier lives while advocating for a system of justice that is fair and treats everyone with dignity and respect.
• Learn and implement stages of change and harm reduction principles and practices
• Learn and implement the principles of gender-specific services.
• Learn and practice values of cultural competency/ humility including self-reflection and accountability.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education: Master’s degree in psychology, counseling or social work or another related human services field required.

Licensure: 

• Must have licensure in good standing for Substance Abuse Counselor (SAC) certification; Clinical Substance Abuse Counselor (CSAC), preferred.
• Mental Health (LPC or APSW/LCSW) licensure in good standing.  In-training or temporary licensure with experience will be considered.
• Must have licensure in good standing to provide clinical supervision for SAC-IT credentials.

Experience, Skills & Commitment

• At least 5 years of experience working with women with substance use issues and criminal justice involvement preferred.
• At least one year of experience providing clinical supervision for SAC-IT credentialed staff/interns.
• Experience with Trauma-Informed Care principles and Motivational Interviewing practices required.
• Demonstrated ability to work with individuals from diverse economic, racial, ethnic, religious, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, or disability backgrounds in an open and respectful environment.
• Proven ability to work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team and to advocate on behalf of clients within the criminal justice system and the community, including Probation Agents, Courts, landlords, and other government agencies.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, including experience with group facilitation.
• Sound judgment and ability to deescalate situations with clients when indicated;
• Ability to work independently in a self-directed manner and as a team member.
• Computer literacy and experience with electronic medical records, databases, and excel worksheets.

Physical Requirements:

• Prolonged periods of sitting in individual sessions, group sessions, meetings and documentation at a desk and working on a computer; Must be able to lift 15 pounds at times. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Benefits:  

• Paid vacation and personal/sick time
• 13 paid holidays
• Health, dental, and vision insurance available
• Short-term disability, life, accident and other insurances also available
• 401(k)
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Professional development opportunities

The Benedict Center is an EEOC employer

The above statements reflect the general details necessary to describe the principal functions of the occupation described and shall not be construed as a detailed description of all the work requirements that may be inherent in the occupation.

Send resume to Human Resources at HR@benedictcenter.org