Job Abstract

Substance Use Counselor, (Sepulveda Substance Use)

This position is partially remote. The pay range for this position is between $22.13 - $24.60 per hour.

About Didi Hirsch

Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services has been a national leader in whole-person mental health, crisis care, and substance use services since 1942 and is home to the nation’s first Suicide Prevention Center. We are a nonprofit organization providing care to nearly 200,000 people annually across our programs. Didi Hirsch has deep roots in community-based mental health and a commitment to providing culturally responsive services that are just and equitable.

As an organization, we value equity, diversity, and inclusion. More than 1,000 dedicated employees and volunteers make Didi Hirsch’s work possible. We intentionally recruit and retain a workforce that is reflective of the communities we serve and strive to cultivate a sense of belonging for them. We embrace employees and candidates from all backgrounds who want to help make this vision a reality.

Summary

• Providing comprehensive intake assessment and individual, family, and group counseling services to adults with substance use issues.
• Coordinating support services to assist clients with case management needs.
• Collaborating with other professionals to ensure the provision of integrated mental health, physical health and substance use treatment that is culturally congruent with our clients’ needs.
• Assessing, facilitating, and documenting group and individual counseling sessions, addressing individual progress and outcomes, ensuring compliance with Agency, state licensing and other regulatory standards and guidelines.

Primary Duties

• Conducts/facilitates individual and group substance abuse prevention education and awareness, and counseling sessions and provides routine case management including assessment, intake, crisis intervention, and exit interviews for adults or adolescents with a history of substance abuse.
• Provides parent training.
• Interfaces with such agencies as the Department of Mental Health, Department of Child and Family Services, criminal justice services, Public health and other related community agencies and resources to give and receive information relative to clients.
• Maintains documentation of all counseling sessions, substance abuse services and other services; ensures compliance with Didi Hirsch policies and procedures, contracts and other regulatory agencies.
• Supervises program participants with conflict resolution and medication compliance as needed.
• Developing and refining program curricula and materials.
• Develops and maintains counselor skills through seminars, workshops, or other forms of training/education.
• Attends and actively participates in all team and staff meetings, community meetings and supervision/consultation.

Position Requirements

• Certified in one of the state approved certification agencies for substance abuse.
• Experience working with youth and adults in group presentations and process. Sensitivity to ethnic and cultural differences. Experience with community organization, program planning and implementation. Knowledge of substance abuse prevention and community resources. Ability to work some evening hours and to arrange work schedule to the benefit of the program.
• Have a working knowledge of case management and conducting/facilitating individual and group counseling sessions for appropriate clients to be served.
• Support the values and mission of Didi Hirsch as related to employment.
• Know and comply with Didi Hirsch Agency policies and procedures, HIPAA, DMH, Child and Family Services, policies and documentation guidelines, and other state, federal regulations relating to program.
• Demonstrate current knowledge of all job specific skills: to include mental health programming, psychiatric crisis intervention; documentation; group/individual counseling; multi-cultural and socio-economic issues.
• Basic advocacy skills.
• Present ideas, information, and viewpoints clearly, both verbally and in writing.
• Efficiently use the personal computer including word processing and electronic chart system software.
• Ability to work varied hours including evenings, nights and weekends.
• Utilize analysis, experience, and judgment to make decisions within policies and practices.
• Demonstrate commitment to team objectives and Didi Hirsch philosophies.
• Adapt to changing needs by acquiring new skills and knowledge.
• Current California driver’s license and a driving record acceptable to the Agency’s insurance carrier.