Elmhurst Hospital Center (EHC) is the major tertiary care provider in the borough of Queens. The hospital is comprised of 545 beds and is a Level I Trauma Center, an Emergency Heart Care Station and a 911 Receiving Hospital. It is the premiere health care organization for key areas such as Surgery, Cardiology, Women's Health, Pediatrics, Rehabilitation Medicine, Renal and Mental Health Services.

At NYC Health + Hospitals, our mission is to deliver high quality care health services, without exception. Every employee takes a person-centered approach that exemplifies the ICARE values (Integrity, Compassion, Accountability, Respect, and Excellence) through empathic communication and partnerships between all persons.

Work Shifts

8:00 A.M - 4:00 P.M

Job Description

The Addiction Counselor serves as an integral member of the multidisciplinary team and participates in and/or leads the development and implementation of clinically sound, culturally relevant, and medically monitored treatment programs, case management, care coordination and other supportive and consultative services for patients in Substance Use Disorder (SUD) treatment, in a sensitive and caring manner, and promotes the notion of recovery and self-sufficiency, as a goal of treatment. Ensures optimal utilization of resources and services and compliance with all applicable local, state, and federal rules and regulations and NYC Health + Hospitals standards of care to improve outcomes and the patient experience. Under supervision, participates in and/or performs functions related to counseling, diagnostics, treatment, treatment planning, rehabilitation, assessment, intervention and other supportive services for patients in SUD treatment.

Duties & Responsibilities
1. Conducts initial screenings and assessments of patients and performs ongoing toxicology screenings to obtain pertinent information about SUD and Co-Occurring Disorder (COD) and develop psycho-social histories of patients to identify and isolate potential SUD and other specific patient problems; formulates appropriate diagnostic impressions; prepares accurate screening, intake, and assessment reports.
2. Facilitates and/or co-facilitates individual, group, and family counseling for patients admitted to a SUD treatment program, provides psycho-education, and conducts skills training classes.
3. Makes decisions and maintains required records regarding appropriate Level of Care (LOC) using patient criteria tools, such as LOC for alcohol and drug treatment referral (LOCADTR), a patient placement criterion system, to ensure that a patient in need of chemical dependence services is placed in the most clinically appropriate level of care.
4. Develops and continually monitors treatment/recovery plans in collaboration with patients and members of the multidisciplinary team, including establishment of short-term and long-term treatment goals, objectives, and specific interventions. Initiates discharge planning criteria, accurately records treatment plans that are consistent with established standards and applicable administrative rules, and documents treatment outcomes, using accepted methods and instruments.
5. Participates in the evaluation of treatment progress and monitoring of patients' recovery plans. Prepares and maintains confidential case records and files and records progress of patient in relation to treatment goals and objectives.
6. Participates in relevant staff meetings and discussions and documents services provided in case records and files in a timely and accurate manner and in compliance with all applicable standards, to ensure appropriate reimbursement.
7. Discusses financial responsibility with patients in the case of outstanding bills and provides money management assistance.
8. Provides orientation to new patients, patients' families and significant others, to familiarize them with the program's rules, goals, procedures, services and expectations over the course of treatment; establishes and maintains relationships with patients' families and significant others, and provides support by ensuring appropriate referrals, identifying service gaps, expanding community resources and helping to address unmet needs.
9. Coordinates and provides case and care management services and activities that integrate supportive services, agency, professional and/or community resources in a planned framework of action, which address a patient's mental, physical, and/or behavioral needs in order to achieve the patient's established goals.
10. Provides crisis intervention and support by responding to and following-through in crisis situations and seeks additional assistance in the management of crisis situations, when needed.
11. Acts as a liaison and advises staff of patient needs with regards to job training, housing, and education programs; may advise patient on job, education, or drug treatment programs, and may make field visits to community services.
12. Conducts outreach activities and provides advocacy designed to educate staff and communities on substance abuse, substance use disorder, addiction, prevention and availability of services.
13. Participates in and/or completes internal/external quality assurance/performance improvement (QA/PI) activities, programs, trainings and related mandated health care events, as required.
14. Holds and maintains required certification(s) and completes required continuing education; submits appropriate documentation within an established timeframe. Complies with NYC Health + Hospitals policies and procedures, and applicable local, state and national requirements and guidelines.
15. Performs other related duties, as directed.

Minimum Qualifications
1. Valid Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor (CASAC) - Level 1 Certificate issued by the NYS Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS); or
2. Is otherwise considered a Qualified Health Professional (QHP) based on licensure, certification and/or registration along with appropriate experience and/or training as defined in Section 800.4 (U) of the OASAS Treatment Services: General Provisions, Title 14 NYCRR Part 800 (https://oasas.ny.gov/system/files/documents/2022/09/800.pdf).

If you wish to apply for this position, please apply online at employment.nychhc.org.

NYC Health and Hospitals offers a competitive benefits package that includes:

• Comprehensive Health Benefits for employees hired to work 20+ hrs. per week
• Retirement Savings and Pension Plans
• Loan Forgiveness Programs for eligible employees
• Paid Holidays and Vacation in accordance with employees' Collectively bargained contracts
• College tuition discounts and professional development opportunities
• Multiple employee discounts programs