Government of Mecklenburg County

Community Support Services (CSS) transforms lives and society by supporting veterans, ending homelessness, treating substance use, and preventing and responding to community and family violence. As a department of the Mecklenburg County Health and Human Services Agency, CSS maximizes community partnerships and collaborative opportunities to improve access to services and advocate for the needs of special populations.

Position Specific Information:
This position is located at the Rooftop Men’s Shelter, working with specific populations, including men experiencing homelessness.

The required work schedule is in place Monday – Friday, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm. Telephone coverage outside working hours is also required on a rotating basis.

This individual will serve as one of the primary advisors for the SAIOP program offered at the shelter. Facilitate substance use groups and individual counseling, provide Person-Centered Planning, complete Treatment Authorization Requests, and provide case management services. Experience completing NCTOPPs, Person-Centered Plans, and Service Authorization Requests is desired.

Position Summary:
Providing counseling to individuals with various substance use and mental health problems. This position is responsible for providing general counseling with a wide degree of freedom, developing person-centered plans, and providing educational lessons based on the 12 core functions of substance use counseling.

Basic Functions:
• Providing substance use services based on the 12 core functions of substance use counseling.
• Provide individual and group counseling
• Assist in the development of the client’s person-centered plan and monitor progress
• Complete documentation in accordance with Federal, state and county policies
• Participate in clinical audit
• Provide didactic education on recovery-related topics
• Create letters on behalf of clients to verify participation in treatment
• Perform random urine drug screens or Alcohol Analysis tests
• Complete Incident Reports as required
• Maintain customer record
• Work in an interdisciplinary team and communicate with the team daily
• May be required to staff shelters in the event of a disaster or assist with other collective care tasks in an emergency

Minimum Qualifications:
Experience: At least three years of experience in substance abuse counseling.
Education: Bachelor’s degree in human services.
Combination of relevant education and relevant experience accepted: Yes

Licenses and Certificates:
• Certified by the NCASPPB as an Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC), Licensed Clinical Addiction Specialist (LCAS), may be considered as a provisionally certified and co-licensed individual
• Requires a valid North Carolina or South Carolina Driver’s License
• Requires ability to obtain and maintain Mecklenburg County Driving Privileges

Preferred Qualifications:
Fully certified CADC or licensed LCAS preferred.
Previous experience completing NCTOPPs, Person-Centered Plans, and Service Authorization Requests.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
information
• Adult mental health/substance use treatment philosophies and practices, assessments, services, programs, and standards/criteria.
• Basic psychopharmacology
• Person-centered planning treatment methods
• Recovery models
• Motivational interviewing techniques
• Problem solving techniques
• Crisis intervention methods
• Conflict resolution techniques
• Applicable Federal, State and local laws, rules, regulations and guidelines.
• Individual rights
• Individual choice
• Case management principles and practices

Abilities
• Managing caseload
• Determining effective intervention techniques for individuals
• Using computers and related software applications
• Access to community resources
• Developing networks with other providers

Abilities
• Applied Learning: Assimilating and applying new job-related information in a timely manner.
• Establishing Trust: Interacting with others in a way that instills trust in the individual’s and the organization’s intentions.
• Care Management: Possess knowledge and skills to secure relevant patient care data and identify key issues and relationships in patient care management; understanding the relationships between assessments, interventions, and client responses; Skilled in documenting assessments and adjusting interventions as necessary
• Communication: The clear communication of information and ideas to individuals or groups through a variety of media in a manner that engages the audience and helps them understand and retain the information provided.
• Patient Education/Health Promotion: Supporting, explaining, and educating the patient and the patient’s family (significant other, caregiver, etc.) in understanding clinical procedures and equipment used to facilitate optimal health; Encouraging the client and the client’s family to make necessary lifestyle changes to achieve optimal health
• Customer Relations: Meeting the needs of the customer and the customer family; take responsibility for the client’s safety, satisfaction and clinical outcomes; Using appropriate interpersonal techniques to resolve difficult client situations and regain client trust.
• Planning and Organizing: Creating action plans for self and others to ensure work is completed efficiently.

Computer Skills
• Proficient in a variety of computer applications including Microsoft Office Suite.

Working Environment:
Works in a moderately noisy office environment