SUBSTANCE ABUSE COUNSELOR

  SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES:   Referral Review, Admission Assessment & Intake Participate in the referral review process in collaboration with program leadership to determine appropriateness for admission based on program criteria. Review referral materials to ensure required documentation is received and complete, including medical, psychiatric, psychosocial, legal, and insurance information.

Assess referral information to support informed admission decisions and identify clinical, medical, or psychosocial needs requiring coordination prior to or at admission. Complete comprehensive admission assessments, including: Psychosocial assessment LOCADTR level of care determination “Why Morning Star” narrative Coordinate with intake and program staff to address missing or outstanding referral documentation, when applicable.

Orient residents to program structure, expectations, and handbook upon admission. Ensure intake paperwork, releases of information, and required screenings are completed and uploaded into the electronic health record (EHR) within required timeframes. Complete admission documentation, including admission note, initial treatment plan, and required OASAS forms, within 24 hours of admission. Clinical Services, Crisis Intervention, Education & Support Provide regularly scheduled individual counseling sessions with assigned residents.

Facilitate or co‑facilitate therapeutic, recovery‑focused, and psychoeducational groups, as assigned. Respond to residents experiencing emotional distress, relapse risk, or behavioral escalation using trauma‑informed, non‑restrictive crisis intervention strategies, in accordance with agency policy. Assess crisis situations and collaborate with supervisory staff and the multidisciplinary team to determine appropriate interventions and next steps.

Provide ongoing education related to substance use disorder recovery, relapse prevention, emotional regulation, coping strategies, health and wellness, and life skills. Offer consistent clinical support, encouragement, and guidance to promote engagement, accountability, and sustained recovery. Document crisis interventions, education provided, and supportive clinical contacts in the EHR in a timely and accurate manner.

Collect random toxicology screenings are complete in accordance with program policy, review results with resident as clinically appropriate, and ensure results are accurately documented in the electronic health record. Treatment Planning, Program Participation & Ongoing Clinical Care Ensure treatment plans and required service plan reviews are completed accurately and within the required timeframes in collaboration with the resident and treatment team.

Monitor residents’ engagement in clinical and recovery services. Ensure residents are attending required in‑house groups, meetings, and program activities as scheduled, with a minimum expectation of five (5) hours per week of structured programming, consistent with Medicaid Managed Care residential reintegration billing requirements, unless otherwise clinically indicated. Address non‑attendance or insufficient participation through clinical intervention, documentation, and collaboration with the treatment team.

Document attendance, participation levels, progress, and barriers to engagement in the EHR. Adjust treatment goals and interventions as clinically indicated to support medical necessity, engagement, and recovery progress. Observe residents’ self‑administration of medication in accordance with program policy and training requirements, as assigned and alongside residential staff; address adherence concerns clinically; and ensure accurate documentation in the electronic health record.

Insurance, Utilization & Clinical Documentation Complete and submit required clinical documentation to support insurance authorization, continued stay, and discharge, as applicable. Ensure admission, continued‑stay, and discharge documentation is acc