General Qualifications of All Staff Members with Direct Client Contact: All Potential Staff

HOUSE OF HOPE

JOB DESCRIPTION

TITLE: Out-Patient Counselor

EXEMPT: YES, SALARIED

DEPARTMENT: Clinical

SUPERVISOR: CLINICAL SUPERVISOR

DATE LAST REVISED: June 2016

SUMMARY: Under the direction of the House of Hope Chief Executive Officer, the Out-Patient Counselor (OPC) is responsible for the supervision, care, and therapy of the outpatient and non-residential clients. The OPC is responsible for evaluating the progress of the clients as well as monitoring their respective treatment plans. Within the framework of the objectives and policies established by the Board, and under the supervision of the Chief Executive Officer, the OPC plans and coordinates all aspects of the outpatient, non-residential and special services programs consistent with the policies and wishes of the client’s county of placement, the client’s probation officer, and the mandates of Minnesota

Rule 31.

THE PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE NON-RESIDENTIAL COUNSELOR ARE:

1)  Overseeing/conducting intakes and admissions of new clients,

2)  Monitoring progress of clients,

3) Overseeing/conducting individual and group therapy,

4)  Assisting each client in completing the outpatient, non-residential or special services

program,

5) Any other duties assigned by the Director or Board of Directors,

SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1.  Oversees/conducts the "admissions interview" to begin a client file. This file becomes the starting point for the development of a treatment plan for each client.

2.  Is responsible for the ongoing program for each client with the ultimate goal of a

satisfactory program completion.

3.  Is responsible for the participation, facilitation and documentation of the treatment/review process consistent with the dictates established by the counties and mandates of Minnesota Rule 31.

4.  Is responsible for monitoring the treatment planning efforts for the clients, maintaining appropriate statistical evaluations, case files, and filing necessary reports with the HOH and any other agencies as required.

5.  Is responsible for monitoring client case records to insure quality and professionalism.

6.  Is responsible for acting as a resource person to community groups giving lectures where asked and meeting with referral sources as requested.

7.  Is responsible for own in-service training requirements to maintain licensure.

8.  Is responsible for assisting in the development & implementation of new treatment components, either personally developed or through the assistance of the Director, or outside facilitators/consultants.

9. Will maintain the referral waiting list.

Qualifications Of All HOH Staff Members With Direct Client Contact:

All potential Staff Members who have direct client contact must be: 1) at least 18 years of age,

2) must fill out a Background Study Form, and 3) at the time of hiring meet the qualifications in either item A or B, which are:

A. Treatment directors, supervisors, nurses, counselors and other professionals must be free of chemical use problems for at least the two years immediately preceding their hiring and must sign a statement attesting to that fact.

B.  Paraprofessionals and all other Staff Members with direct client contact must be free of chemical use problems for at least one year immediately preceding their hiring and must sign a statement attesting to that fact.

NOTE: Negative background study results will bar any potential employee from being hired.

Alcohol & Drug Counselor (ADC) In addition to meeting the General Qualifications above, the ADC must be either licensed or exempt from licensure under Minnesota Statutes, chapter 148C. The ADC must document competence in screening for and working with clients with mental health problems, through education, training, and experience.

A.  Alcohol and drug counselors licensed under Minnesota Statutes, chapter 148C must comply with rules adopted under Minnesota Statutes, chapter 148C,

B. Alcohol and Drug Counselors exempt under Minnesota Statutes, chapter 148C, must

be competent, as evidenced by one of the following:

(1) completion of at least a baccalaureate degree with a major or concentration in

social work, nursing, sociology, human services, or psychology, or licensure as a

registered nurse; successful completion of a minimum of 120 hours of classroom

instruction in which each of the core functions listed in Minnesota Statutes,

chapter 148C, is covered; and successful completion of 440 hours of supervised

experience as an alcohol and drug counselor, either as a student or as a staff

member;

(2) completion of 270 hours of alcohol and drug counselor training in which each of

the core functions listed in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 148C, is covered, and successful completion of 880 hours of supervised experience as an alcohol and drug counselor, either as a student, or as a staff member;

(3) current certification as an alcohol and drug counselor or alcohol and drug

counselor reciprocal, through the evaluation process established by the

International Certification and Reciprocity Consortium Alcohol and Other Drug

Abuse, Inc., and published in the Case Presentation Method Trainer’s Manual,

copyright 1993; The manual is incorporated by reference. It is available at the

State Law Library, Judicial Center, 25 Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.,

St. Paul, Minnesota 55155;

(4) completion of a bachelor’s degree including 480 hours of alcohol and drug

counseling education from an accredited school or educational program and 880

hours of alcohol and drug counseling practicum; or

(5) employment in a program formerly licensed under parts 9530.5000 to

9530.6400 and successful completion of 6000 hours of supervised work

experience in a licensed program as an alcohol and drug counselor prior to the

effective date of parts 9530.6405 to 9530.6590.

The Out-Patient Counselor, in addition to meeting the General Qualifications listed under Qualifications Of All HOH Staff Members With Direct Client Contact found above, must comply with the following:

Treatment directors, supervisors, nurses, and counselors must obtain 12 hours of training in co-occurring mental health problems and chemical abuse or dependency that includes competencies related to philosophy, screening, assessment, diagnosis and treatment planning, documentation, programming, medication, collaboration, mental health consultation, and discharge planning. HOH Staff employed on the date Rule 31 is adopted must obtain the training within 12 months of the date of adoption. New staff who have not obtained such training must obtain it within 12 months of the date Rule 31 was adopted or within six months of hire, whichever is later. A Staff Member may request, and HOH may grant credit for, relevant training obtained prior to January 1, 2016.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

HOH Employees also:

1.  Must demonstrate adequate verbal and written communication skills,

2.  Must be knowledgeable in the field of chemical dependency, the AA and other recovery programs and the CD continuum of care.

3. Would have knowledge and/or experience in the helping professions and be

Knowledgeable in the fields of psychology, sociology, and other Human Services areas.

4. Would have knowledge of State and County Probation, and county Human

Services departments, and be willing to collaborate with members of those systems.

5.  Must possess empathy for the chemically dependent person.

6.  Must possess a valid Minnesota driver’s license.

7.  Must participate in CPR training once every two years,

8.  Must have a Tuberculin Skin (Mantoux) Test annually,

9. Must be completely familiar with, and comply fully with, the requirements

of MN DHS, Rule 31, and the rules, regulations and ethics of the MN Department of Health,

10.  Confidentiality: All staff members of HOH must adhere to, and

respect, all Personnel Policies, (which were given to you, were read by you, and that you asked any questions you had of anything you didn’t understand, and if so, was explained to you) including internal, State and Federal, regarding client rights, anonymity and confidentiality of all clients past, present, and future.

11.  Fraternization: The Counselor will not have any relationships with a

client or other staff member other than what is required by this job description. It is forbidden for any HOH Staff Member to have a social, intimate, sexual, financial, or any other relationship with a HOH client, or a fellow Staff Member.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

At the direction of the Clinical supervisor, the ADC ensures that each client receives:

a.  A Comprehensive Assessment (9530.6422),

b.  An Individual Treatment Plan (6530.6425),

c.  Additional Treatment Services (9530.6430),

1.  Individual and group counseling,

2.  Client education strategies to avoid inappropriate chemical use, health problems related to chemical use, and necessary changes in lifestyle to regain and maintain health,

3.  Client education concerning the human immunodeficiency virus, according to MN Statutes, section 245A.19, other sexually transmitted diseases, drug and alcohol use during pregnancy, hepatitis, and tuberculosis,

4.  Services to address issues related to co-occurring mental illness, including education for clients on basic symptoms of mental illness, the possibility of co morbidity, and the need for continued medication compliance while working on recovery from chemical abuse or dependency,

5.  Services must be provided according to the individual treatment plan and must address cultural differences and special needs of all clients,

6.  Case management services, if needed, to help the client obtain the services and support the client needs to establish a lifestyle free of the harmful effects of chemical abuse or dependency,

7.  Relationship counseling to help client identify the impact of inappropriate chemical use on others and identify and change behaviors that contribute to inappropriate chemical use,

8.  Therapeutic recreation to provide the client with an opportunity to participate in recreational activities without the use of mood-altering chemicals and to learn to plan and select leisure activities that do not involve the inappropriate use of chemicals,

9.  Stress management and physical well-being to help the client reach and maintain an acceptable level of health, physical fitness,

and well being,

10.  Employment or educational services to help; the client become financially independent,

Physical Demands

Mobility and ability to sit, bend, reach and lift 10 lbs. Must be capable of performing First Aid and CPR.

Disclaimer:

This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and skills associated with the position of Out-Patient Counselor. The Clinical supervisor may assign other reasonable job-related duties in addition to what is listed on this job description. This job description in no way suggests, implies, or is intended to be an employment contract between the Out-Patient Counselor and The House of Hope Halfway House.

“I have read and fully understand this job description for House of Hope Inc. Out-Patient Counselor.”

Out- Patient Counselor Clinical Supervisor

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DATE

Revised 6/2016

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