Therapist, Pardons & Parole (Huntsville)

Overview
Substance abuse assessment, treatment and referrals will be provided to those recently released from state prisons through the Day Reporting Center in the Alabama Pardons and Parole office. Former inmates come typically everyday to receive services such as GED preparation, substance abuse and mental health treatment, or assistance with employment.
Responsibilities
Clinical Responsibilities:

• Provides effective clinical assessment of the consumer
• Utilizes assessment data to support a DSMV substance abuse and mental health diagnosis
• Formulates appropriate treatment plan along with consumer
• Provides individual, group, and family therapy, utilizing basic therapeutic models and theories according to consumer needs as stated in the treatment plan
• Demonstrates the ability to recognize the elements of a crisis state and knows how to deescalate or resolve the situation
• Effectively collaborates with the treatment team members and outside sources in the delivery of clinical services
• Evaluates the consumer for discharge planning
• Effectively interacts and corresponds with Alabama pardons and parole staff
• Adheres to professional code of ethics
• Effectively demonstrates the application of substance abuse specific competencies
• Provides HIV/AIDS education, counseling, and testing when necessary
• Assists with the completion of monthly billing
• Makes appropriate referrals when a situation is out of their scope of practice

Supervision and Consultation:

• Seeks clinical supervision and consultation as needed
• Accepts and employs suggestions for improvement
• Actively works to enhance clinical skills

Clinical Record Keeping:

• Documents in a timely fashion per AltaPointe policy
• Documents appropriate, complete, and clinically comprehensive mental health assessments
• Documents measurable and specific goals in the treatment plan
• Documents in a clear and concise manner, types of consumer problems, treatment goals addressed, services, and techniques used
• Documents case disposition, case closings, follow-up and referrals

Case Load Management:

• Effectively manages caseload based on consumer needs
• Meets AltaPointe productivity standards

Courteous and respectful towards consumers, visitors and co-workers

• Treats consumers with care, dignity and compassion
• Respects consumer's privacy and confidentiality
• Is pleasant and cooperative with others
• Assists consumers and visitors as needed
• Personal values don't inhibit ability to relate and care for others
• Is sensitive to the consumer's needs, expectations and individual differences
• Is gentle and calm to consumers and families

Administrative and Other Related Duties as Assigned:

• Actively participates in Performance Improvement activities.
• Actively participates in AltaPointe committees as required.
• Completes assigned tasks in a timely manner.
• Accesses appropriate community resources according to consumer needs.
• Follows AltaPointe policies and procedures.
• Maintains current license and requirements for renewals (i.e. CEU's), if applicable, and attends regular workshops and in-services.

Qualifications
Master degree in a mental health discipline. Must be willing to obtain NAADAC, AADAA, or IC&RC certification or become LGSW, LPC or LCSW within two years of employment.
SA Certification, LPC, LCSW, or LMFT with two years of substance abuse experience preferred.
Knowledge of adult specialty, outlined below, to be attained within (6) six months of employment:

• Knowledge of the nature of addiction as a primary illness.
• Knowledge of criminogenic behaviors and risk factors
• Knowledge of gender specific issues relative to addiction
• Knowledge of Substance Abuse treatment principles
• Knowledge of criminal justice system to include court hearings, probation and parole
• Knowledge of psychiatric disorders in the adult population
• Knowledge of psychiatric rehabilitation principles
• Knowledge of twelve-step support groups such as AA, NA, CA, and other self-help groups
• Understands the dynamics of co-dependency of addicted individuals and other typical behaviors of these consumers, such as denial and manipulation
• Understands the behavioral, psychological, physical health and social effects of psychoactive drugs, including alcohol and tobacco, on the consumer and significant others
• Knowledge of helping strategies for reducing the negative effects of substance abuse and dependency and how to tailor strategies and treatment modalities to the consumer's stage of dependency, change or recovery
• Knowledge of medical and pharmaceutical resources in the treatment of addictive disease and other substance related disorders
• Knowledge of cultural diversity
• Knowledge of the risk for illnesses among IV drug users such as HIV/AIDS and T.B
• Knowledge of behavioral management, crisis intervention to consumers with substance abuse/addiction issues