Counselor Intern

Position Summary

The Counselor Intern will assist a licensed Counselor in facilitating program sessions and/or treatment with residential or outpatient clients and monitor and support daily activities as part of program.

Primary Duties & Responsibilities

• Reviews and participates as necessary in assessments, treatment plans, and continuing care plans.
• Participates in daily staff meetings as appropriate and necessary.
• Carries out standard procedures for client activities as outlined in internal or discipline specific program guidelines. 
• Adheres to all internal Policies and Procedures and Safety Guidelines and maintains safe conditions for individuals served, visitors, and staff.
• Monitors, assess, and documents client's goals progress, and participation in the program for any medical or other record keeping purpose. 
• Assists with individual, group, and crisis counseling and/or educational services to clients.
• Demonstrates the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age, disability, and cultural background of the clients served, based on his/her qualifications and competencies.
• Maintains a thorough knowledge of the therapeutic techniques and program policies and procedures.  
• Actively supports the Company and Program’s efforts to achieve and sustain JCAHO accreditation. 
• Follows policies and procedure protocols and standards of all program funding sources and regulatory agencies.
• Ability to maintain appropriate professional boundaries with clients, client family members and referral sources.

Job Qualifications and Requirements

Education:   

•  Completion of education requirements to meet state internship requirements.

Licensure/Certifications:

• Initiates LADAC supervision program within the first week of employment.
• Current BLS/CPR certification.

Experience: 

• Completion of any experience requirements to meet state internship requirements.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 

• Ability to speak clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations; listen and get clarification; responds well to questions.
• Knowledge of organization, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to exercise sound judgement, be attentive to detail, and maintain a positive work attitude.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of all medical, financial, and legal information.
• Ability to complete work assignments accurately and in a timely manner.
• Ability to understand and utilize program knowledge, such as the disease model, motivational interviewing, trauma- informed approaches, experiential approaches, CBT, self-help approaches, and evidence-based practices in client care.
• Familiarity with acute intoxication and/or withdrawal potential, biomedical conditions that affect treatment, emotional/behavioral/cognitive conditions that complicate treatment, the stages of change model/readiness to change scale, relapse potentials, and supportive recovery environments for aftercare (the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) criteria for levels of care)
• Ability understanding of how to utilize medical knowledge, complete medication observations, observe and assess detox clients, and complete and document vitals.
• Ability to document thoroughly in an electronic medical record.
• Ability to professionally interact and communicate with clients, client family members, referral sources, and vendors.
• Understands and respects cultural diversity.
• Screen for psychoactive substance toxicity, intoxication, and withdrawal symptoms
• Screen for danger to self or others
• Screen for co-occurring mental health issues
• Demonstrate adherence to accepted ethical and behavioral standards of conduct.
• Participate in continuing professional development.
• Follow organization policies and procedures addressing the care of individuals served identified as at risk for suicide, including requirements for screening, assessment, and monitoring.
• Ability to understand and adhere to Professional Code of Conduct
• Knowledge of MS Office and office equipment such as copiers and scanners.

Applicable State Requirements:

• Must meet pre-employment and maintain all applicable state and job related guidelines for background screening, fingerprinting, drug test, health screening, DMV, Insurance, CPR/Basic First Aid and license/credential verifications.

Physical Requirements of Position

• Talking: Frequently conveying detailed or important instructions or ideas accurately, clearly, or quickly.
• Hearing: Able to hear average or normal conversations and receive ordinary information.
• Repetitive motion: Frequent and regular use of the wrists, hands, and fingers to make small movements such as typing or picking up small objects. Normal fine and gross motor control of fingers and hands.
• Seeing: Visual acuteness necessary for the proper evaluation of a patient and to prepare or inspect documents or other materials. Ability to accurately view computer monitors.
• Physical: Frequent sitting, standing and walking. Occasional lifting, pushing, pulling up to 10 lbs. Occasional kneeling, stooping, and bending at the waist.

Working Conditions:

• Office Environment: Employees are protected from weather conditions or contaminants, but not necessarily occasional temperature changes.