Discharge Counselor, Admissions

Our Mission:

Since 1967, Odyssey House has been providing innovative services and programs to a broad population of individuals and families struggling with substance use and mental health disorders. Odyssey House helps New Yorkers of all ages—and across all five boroughs—beat drugs and alcohol with highly individualized treatment programs. Odyssey House provides high quality, holistic treatment impacting all major life spheres, including: psychological, physical, social, family, educational and spiritual in order to support personal rehabilitation, renewal and family restoration.

If that sounds different than other treatment programs, you’re right. Because Odyssey is where recovery gets real.

In addition to competitive salaries, Odyssey House offers:

• A 35-hour work week (as opposed to a 40-hour work week)
• Vacation Plan and Holiday Schedule
• Life Insurance
• Medical Insurance (Two Plans)
• Dental and Vision Insurance
• Additional Insurance Coverages (hospitalization, accidental, critical illness coverage)
• Long-Term & Short-Term Disability
• Flexible Spending Account/Health Reimbursement Account
• 403(b) Plan
• Corporate Counseling Associates (CCA) EAP benefit
• Ability Assist Counseling Services (through The Hartford)
• Commuter Benefits
• Educational Assistance Programs
• Special shopping discounts through ADP Marketplace and PlumBenefits
• RUFit?! Fitness Program
• Pet Insurance
• Legal Assistance
• Optum Financial Service through ConnectYourCare
• Benefit Advocacy Center through Gallagher

Salary Range: $40,000.00-50,000.00

MAJOR FUNCTIONS:

The Discharge Counselor, Admissions will coordinate all admission requests and admissions. The Discharge Counselor, Admissions will work closely with the Outreach Coordinator in ensuring sufficient contacts and interviewees. She/he will provide Discharge Planning to residents in order to facilitate their re-entry and integration into the community. She/he will perform outreach to State Psychiatric facilities, informing them of the Harbor mission.

SPECIFIC DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Coordinate admission requests/packets with State Psychiatric Facilities.
• Log and follow-up all admission calls, packets, and interviews.
• Sit on Admissions Committee.
• Record and track resident's demographics, trends, retention rates and length of stay statistics; maintain records and statistics; prepare necessary reports.
• Provide leadership to Case Managers in housing packet preparation and timely filing.
• Liaison to primary housing providers and to individual facilities.
• Provide discharge planning for residents in need of transitional housing and assist in securing housing.
• Counsel residents regarding psychosocial issues to be considered after discharge; provide information and assistance to residents regarding social services, health, legal-aid, and housing.
• In conjunction with the Vocational Coordinator, aid residents in developing concrete skills, i.e., on how to prepare for an interview.
• At the 18-month mark, work with primary Case Manager to facilitate resident transfer to his/her caseload.
• Consult with the social rehabilitation team in formulation of treatment plan, referral needs, and follow-up care.
• Maintain up-to-date logs and resident charts reflecting discharge planning.
• Participate in departmental in-service and continuing education programs.
• Attend all in-house and external meetings as determined by Program Director.
• Participate in the CQI (Continuing Quality Improvement).
• Provide information and referral to community and outside agencies.
• Carry caseload and attendant charting responsibilities.
• Prepare comprehensive psychosocial.
• Perform other relevant duties as required as determined by Program Director.

REQUIRMENTS: EDUCATION/TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

1. HS Diploma/GED education required.
2. Three (3) years experience in the human service field required, preferably with the MICA population.
3. Demonstrated knowledge of and familiarity with the NYC housing system for the homeless mentally ill.
4. Familiarity with resources, referrals, and housing providers.
5. Experience with the admissions procedure.
6. Ability to assess a resident’s well-being and appropriateness, both for admission and discharge.
7. Computer literate, including proficiencies with computer operation (Microsoft Word, Excel, Electronic Health Record documenting and Outlook programs).
8. Demonstrated desire to achieve higher education or professional credential such as a CASAC-T.

Odyssey House is an equal opportunity employer maintaining a non-discriminatory policy on hiring of its personnel. Odyssey House, and its operational divisions, will not discriminate against any employee or applicant because of race, creed, color, national origin, sex, disability, marital status, sexual orientation or citizen status in all employment decisions including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, upgrading, demotion, downgrading, transfer, training, rate of pay or other forms of compensation, layoff, termination and all other terms and conditions of employment.