Addiction Counselor Level II-Provisional Appointment

Lincoln Medical and Mental Health Center is one of New York City's premier acute care hospitals. Located in Downtown Bronx, Lincoln is a teaching hospital renowned for its Centers of Excellence, and a recognized industry leader in the implementation of state-of-the art medical technology and best practices. Our team of highly trained and caring medical professionals is dedicated to providing the highest quality health care that is safe, compassionate, culturally competent and patient-centered. Comprehensive services are offered in three major primary care areas: Medicine, Pediatrics, and Women's Health in addition to more than eighty (80) specialty services. At Lincoln, the safety and comfort of our patients is our number one priority.

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.

Visit us at www.nyc.gov/html/hhc/lincoln.

Job Description

Purpose of Position:

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. The following are essential duties and responsibilities for Addiction Counselors:

Essential Duties and 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. Performs other related duties, as directed.

Qualification Requirements (effective July 1, 2018) for all newly-hired employees and for assignments to OASAS-certified treatment programs:

Any individual working in a NYS Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS)-Certified Treatment Program or newly-hired into the System in the title of Addiction Counselor in a NYC Health + Hospitals health care setting must have proof of completion of OASAS "Supporting Recovery with Medications for Addiction Treatment (MAT)" training.

For Assignment to Level II
1. Valid CASAC - Level 1 Certificate issued by OASAS; and one (1) year of full-time, progressively responsible experience performing SUD assessment, treatment planning, individual and group counseling, case and care management and other functions related to SUD prevention and treatment in a SUD treatment program; or
2. Is otherwise considered a QHP, as described in "2" of Qualification Requirements for Level I above, and has one (1) year of full-time, progressively responsible experience performing SUD assessment, treatment planning, individual and group counseling, case and care management and other functions related to SUD prevention and treatment in a SUD treatment program; or
3. Satisfactory equivalent of education, training, and experience. However, all must have a CASAC Level 1 Certificate issued by OASAS or meet the definition of a QHP as described in "2" above.

Notes:
1. Consistent with the new OASAS Regulation, incumbent H + H employees working in OASAS-certified treatment programs that were hired into the System as Addiction Counselors, Level I or Level II, prior to July 1, 2018, who held at least a bachelor's degree, will have until July 1, 2021 to meet either the CASAC or other QHP status qualification described above under Qualification Requirements for Level I.
2. Addiction Counselors with a CASAC Trainee (CASAC-T) certificate assigned to an OASAS-certified treatment program may only perform counseling functions under supervision until providing satisfactory proof of completion of a CASAC or other QHP status.
3. Incumbent H+H Addiction Counselors deemed qualified under the prior qualification requirements assigned to a non-OASAS certified treatment program as of July 1, 2018, may continue to function in their roles, but cannot be considered for assignment to OASAS-certified treatment programs without demonstrating the qualification requirements indicated above, effective July 1, 2018.

Minimum Qualifications

Any individual working in a NYS Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS)-Certified Treatment Program or newly-hired into the System in the title of Addiction Counselor in a NYC Health + Hospitals health care setting must have proof of completion of OASAS "Supporting Recovery with Medications for Addiction Treatment (MAT)" training.
For Assignment to Level II
1. Valid CASAC - Level 1 Certificate issued by OASAS; and one (1) year of full-time, progressively responsible experience performing SUD assessment, treatment planning, individual and group counseling, case and care management and other functions related to SUD prevention and treatment in a SUD treatment program; or
2. Is otherwise considered a QHP, as described in "2" of Qualification Requirements for Level I above, and has one (1) year of full-time, progressively responsible experience performing SUD assessment, treatment planning, individual and group counseling, case and care management and other functions related to SUD prevention and treatment in a SUD treatment program; or
3. Satisfactory equivalent of education, training, and experience. However, all must have a CASAC Level 1 Certificate issued by OASAS or meet the definition of a QHP as described in "2" above.

If you wish to apply for this position, please apply online by clicking the "Apply Now" button or forward your resume, noting the above Job ID #, to:

Lincoln Medical & Mental Health Center
Human Resources Department
234 Eugenio Maria De Hostos Blvd, (East 149th Street),
2nd Floor, Annex
Bronx, NY 10451
Attn: Recruitment Unit

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