Senior Rehabilitation Counselor

GENERAL PURPOSE OF POSITION:

The Sr. Rehabilitation Counselor (Sr. RC) is an integral member of the interdisciplinary treatment team within the chemical dependency program. The Sr. RC conducts individual and group counseling to assess the strengths and limitations, establish treatment goals, and provide interventions to help patients achieve those goals. She provides and coordinates those pre-vocational and vocational activities that will help patients develop and achieve vocational rehabilitation goals and function successfully in the competitive workplace. The Sr. RC provides assessment, treatment, and consultation services in a sensitive and caring manner and promotes the notion of recovery and self-sufficiency as a goal of treatment.

SUMMARY OF DUTIES:

Assessment:

· With personal history and social history as reference, conducts a comprehensive educational /vocational assessment, eliciting information about school and work performance including the determination of possible learning disabilities and identifies stressors related to areas of concern that may contribute to poor self-esteem, lack of motivation to change and relapse.

· Identifies the patient’s vocational stage and determines the appropriate level of care necessary for the patient to achieve an optimal level of functioning.

· Administers, score, and interprets vocational tests such as WRAT (Wide Range Achievement Test) TABE (Tests of Basic Education) and Strong Interest Inventory. Synthesizes the information along with basic values clarification exercise outcomes, and confers with patients about their areas of strength, interests and values. Collaborates with patients in designing effective interventions.

Treatment Planning:

· Actively participates in assisting patients in determining appropriate vocational goals and in

• Provide treatment team with the results of the Assessments and contributes to the development of both the problem list and identification of goals, objectives and intervention with expected time frames.

• Monitors and documents the progress of the patient in treatment and continually reviews the objectives agreed upon with the patient in regard to Vocational Rehabilitation.

• Contributes to the completion of quarterly/semi-annual treatment plans/length of stay reviews and determination of phasing of patient services.

Care Management:

· Encourages and assists patients to obtain the highest level of self-sufficiency. Facilitates both group, and when necessary, individual sessions to patients that will increase ego function, exercise good judgment, improve reality testing and increase concentration, the ability to delay gratification and tolerate frustration.

· Develops and manages a program of vocational counseling and activities that promote work readiness and the development of basic skills necessary to find, get, and keep a job.

· Develops and implements a process by which patients are educated in life and coping skills that will enable them to be more successfully involved in community based social and leisure activities.

· Develops and maintains linkages with community-based educational, vocational, employment and supportive resources. Provides patients with referrals to vocational/ educational services in accordance with identified needs and assists patients with assessing desired services.

· Serves as a liaison to community-based vocational and educational resources (i.e. VESID) and functions as a patient advocate to assist with attaining educational and employment placement and retention.

· Develops job leads in the community based on the skills and interests of the patients.

.

Counseling:

· Establishes a therapeutic rapport with each patient during assessment; initiates motivational-based interventions to encourage patients’ involvement in the vocational rehabilitation process.

· Engages patient in individual counseling which assists patient to identify problems and explore potential solutions, setting realistic goals and implementing strategies that build upon their strengths and motivate further their self sufficiency and hopefully ultimate recovery.

· Conducts group-counseling sessions that focus on the development and improvement of self-concept, goal setting, awareness of the world of work, job preparation and job retention. Uses curriculums, written materials, exercises, tests, and videos, when appropriate.

· Conducts a “computer club” group introducing patients to computer technology and teaching them the rudiments of the computer operations.

· Conducts a “job club” to foster patients’ self-determined goals of seeking, finding, and maintaining employment.

· Recommends and supervises patients in recovery who have worked for 180 days and who have agreed to provide consultations to the program as a peer leader.

· Whenever possible and appropriate, engages family members and significant others in ensuring commitment to the rehabilitation process.

· Observes federal 42 CFR Part 2 confidentiality regulations and respects rights of patients.

Education:

· Assists with the identification of patient needs, the development of appropriate educational activities, and the selection of materials.

· Assists patients with developing an awareness of vocational and educational resources and options open to them and following through with accessing desired services.

· Develops and implements curricula to provide motivation to change; work readiness skills such as an introduction to the world of work, the benefits of working, how to find, get and keep a job; and the job retention skills such as how to upgrade from one job to another, how work contributes to sobriety and how work may contribute to relapse; and personal adjustment issues.

· Provides educational group seminars to patients regarding issues associated with rehabilitation, work readiness, and motivation to change in accordance with their identified needs and learning disabilities. Focuses on the development of skills to find, get and keep employment, while maintaining sobriety, in a manner which encourages participation in the process via questions, written assignments, role playing, etc.

· Encourages the development of leadership in patients by contributing to the program’s patient government, peer mentoring, and facilitating peer led groups.

· When requested, assist with outreach activities designed to educate hospital staff and general public regarding chemical dependency and the availability of treatment services in doing so, furthering the goals of the program.

Environment and Emergency Situations:

· Responsible for establishing and maintaining a safe, comfortable, non-threatening environment which is conducive to quality patient care and the goals of the program by following all policies and procedures and taking all appropriate precautionary measures.

· Maintains an awareness regarding patient whereabouts and behaviors, and enforces program policy and procedures regarding appropriate behavior, loitering, smoking, attendance at group sessions, etc.

· Assesses emergency situations, identifies resources and/or assistance needed, takes all appropriate actions in accordance with established policies and procedures.

· Communicates clear, accurate and timely reports to appropriate staff regarding any emergency or unusual situation that may have occurred, including information regarding the specific situation, the individuals involved, actions that were taken, any outcomes that resulted, and where appropriate, recommendations for improvement. Completes incident and other reports as necessary and appropriate.

Documentation:

· Records all significant occurrences and events that impact upon the patient and his/her treatment in the program.

· Fully documents all activities, services, and referrals provided in accordance with program policies and procedures as well as the patient’s response and ultimate outcome.

· Completes all notes in accordance with policy, within the specified timeframes and in a comprehensive and professional manner that relates back to treatment goals.

· Obtains all required releases and ensures that they are fully completed in accordance with applicable policies.

· When requested, provides all documentation required by a HRA and/or third party payers and maintains ongoing, open communications.

· Completes program statistical reports as required, including reports to OASAS and Central Office.

· May review the assessments, evaluation, treatment and aftercare plans completed by new staff; Master’s Level Interns, provide peer support and guidance where necessary.

Performance Improvement:

· Participates in peer supervision and mentoring programs meant to ensure staff competencies.

· Completes and/or participates in all assigned performance improvement activities and attends PI meetings and training sessions as appropriate.

· Participates in program-wide QI/PI projects as requested.

· Develops and maintains open communication and professional relationship with direct supervisor and program director and peers.

Professional Development:

· Attends all mandated in-service training sessions.

· Participates in the planning and development of specific in-service training sessions and professional program activities.

· Provides in-service training and consultation to treatment program staff in vocational rehabilitation principles and practices to help ensure coordination and integration of vocational services into the treatment process.

· May participate in professional organizations and community activities related to chemical dependency, counseling and/or rehabilitation counseling.

· Attends community-based, addiction specific training sessions, seminars and conferences in order to further improve professional skills and/or is engaged in a formal program of study related to furthering professional knowledge and credentials.

· Attends and participates in staff and team meetings as required.

Adherence to Rules and Regulations:

· Adheres to the Vision, Mission and Value statement of the organization in all endeavors and interactions.

· Promotes a positive and pleasant attitude conducive to the workplace which enhances and furthers the Mission, Vision and Values Statement.

· Adheres to the OASAS Cannon of Ethical Principles.

· Works well as a member of an interdisciplinary treatment team.

· Shows initiative in providing patient care and in developing and participating in program activities.

· Presents and maintains a professional image in dress, behavior, and work habits.

· Complies fully with infection control, emergency preparedness plans, fire/disaster plans, hazardous materials plans/SDS information sheets, and environmental care plans.

Additional Areas of Responsibility:

· May be asked to cover another position in cases where the counselor has the required competencies and the temporary reassignment will not negatively impact upon patient care.

· May be assigned additional cases in order to cover staff shortages.

· Assists with the planning and implementation of various community activities and encourages participation.

· May be asked to assist with community relations outside of the specific program area.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $71,175.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible schedule
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Medical specialties:

• Addiction Medicine

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday
• Weekends as needed

Work setting:

• Inpatient
• In-person

Application Question(s):

• Do you possess a A Master’s Degree in Vocational Guidance, Vocational Rehabilitation, Psychology or

a related field from an accredited college after completion of a one-year course, plus
two years of full-time, paid, professional experience, at least one year of which must
have been with adults, in vocational guidance, vocational rehabilitation or
psychological counseling or psychological testing acquired in the past fifteen years;

• Do you have experience conducting individual and group counseling to assess the strengths and limitations, establish treatment goals, and provide interventions to help patients achieve those goals.

Ability to Relocate:

• New York, NY 10016: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person