Who is Bridging Access to Care, Inc.: Bridging Access to Care, Inc. (BAC) is a nonprofit, multi-service, community-based behavioral health care organization committed to building healthy communities, one person at a time.
In 2012, Brooklyn Aids Task Force changed its name to BAC and successfully made the transition from an AIDS-centered organization to a multi-service community-based healthcare organization. Brooklyn Aids Task Force was the very first HIV/AIDS organization in Brooklyn prioritizing serving persons living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) since 1986. Today, BAC provides mental health and substance use-related social services, comprehensive HIV/AIDS care, and coordinated health care and supportive services to underserved racial and ethnic minority communities in Brooklyn and other parts of New York City.
Bridging Access to Care, Inc. offers a competitive salary package, including health insurance, retirement plan, paid time off, and opportunities for professional development. Employees working in our Health Services divisions are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, unless approved for a legal accommodation. If you need accommodation for any reason, including related to this job requirement, contact Human Resources.
JOB SUMMARY:
As the Senior Substance Use Counselor in our OASAS First Steps, Outpatient clinic, you would help individuals overcome substance use challenges through compassionate, evidence-based care. The Senior Substance Use Counselor will collaborate with healthcare providers, legal systems, and community partners to ensure clients receive the support they need while promoting long-term recovery and community stability in accordance with the New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports (NYS OASAS) 822 outpatient program requirements. In this role, the Senior Substance Use Counselor will conduct comprehensive assessments, develop individualized treatment plans, facilitate individual and group counseling, coordinate referrals, and provide support through every stage of recovery.
Working in accordance with New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports (NYS OASAS) Part 822 Outpatient Program requirements, the Senior Substance Use Counselor will collaborate with healthcare providers, multidisciplinary teams, community organizations, courts, probation departments, and the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to ensure coordinated, client-centered care that promotes long-term recovery and community stability.
This position requires the Senior Substance Use Counselor to be committed to delivering trauma-informed, person-centered services using evidence-based practices such as Motivational Interviewing, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and harm reduction principles. Additional responsibilities include but are not limited to maintaining timely and accurate clinical documentation, facilitating psychoeducational and counseling groups, supporting overdose prevention initiatives, providing recovery-oriented services, and delivering specialized treatment and compliance services for participants in the New York State Impaired Driver Program.
EDUCATION AND WORK EXPERIENCE:
- MINIMUM: High school diploma or a General Equivalency Diploma (required); Associate's Degree in Human Services or similar field, preferred.
- MINIMUM: 3 years' experience/training in integrated mental health and substance abuse assessment/treatment; Motivational Interviewing techniques.
- Minimum 1 year of experience providing Impaired Driver Program services required
CERTIFICATION: Minimum: CASAC Required/Advance CASAC Preferred
LICENSURE: Current NYS LMSW/LCSW/LMHC/LCAT Preferred
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Assessment and Treatment Planning
- Provide intake evaluations, pre-admission assessments, and brief screenings.
- Conduct or review comprehensive assessments to determine the substance use needs, strengths, and preferences of people served.
- Develop individualized treatment plans, integrating person-centered, trauma-informed, and harm reduction approaches.
- Regularly review and update treatment plans in collaboration with clients to ensure progress toward recovery goals in compliance with regulatory guidelines.
Counseling and Support:
- Provide individual counseling sessions and facilitate group counseling to address substance use, co-occurring disorders, and recovery needs.
- Incorporate evidence-based practices such as Motivational Interviewing (MI), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and other modalities aligned with the goals of trauma-informed care and harm reduction.
- Promote and utilize harm reduction strategies to reduce the negative impacts of substance use, acknowledging each client's readiness for change.
Collaboration and Referral:
- Build and maintain effective relationships with detoxification, rehabilitation, and treatment centers to ensure seamless referrals and continuity of care for individuals transitioning between services.
- Collaborate with peers, medical staff, and client support representatives to ensure comprehensive service delivery.
Supportive Services:
- Administer on-site drug testing/urine toxicology as outlined in clients' service plans, providing education and support as needed.
- Provide training, guide participant use of and monitor the distribution of Naloxone (Narcan) and intervene during crises to prevent overdose or harm.
- Collaborate with client’s support network and other service providers on treatment planning, service coordination, and case management support to promote client’s recovery and stability in the community.
Documentation and Compliance:
- Maintain accurate, up-to-date paper and electronic case records, ensuring compliance with OASAS regulations and organizational policies (i.e., progress notes should be completed within 24 hours of service and locked within 48 hours).
- Complete incident reports for serious situations, including abuse allegations or sensitive incidents, in line with agency protocols.
- Follow all regulatory requirements and internal policies to ensure ethical, legal, and safe delivery of services.
- Attend clinical meetings, staff meetings, supervision, and professional development opportunities as part of ongoing training.
Ethical and Professional Conduct:
- Demonstrate a commitment to maintaining confidentiality, respecting client rights, and providing ethical, culturally competent services.
- Report regularly to work and adhere to attendance and timekeeping policies.
- Participate in on-call responsibilities when required, providing support during off-hours as needed.
- Foster a supportive, trauma-informed, and client-centered work environment.
Impaired Driver Program (IDP) Specific Duties:
- Conduct Assessments: Perform comprehensive substance use assessments for individuals referred through the IDP to evaluate their substance use history, treatment needs, and progress toward recovery. Complete the required intake forms and provide recommendations for appropriate services.
- Develop Treatment Plans: Create individualized treatment plans that address the substance use issues and specific needs of individuals in the Impaired Driver Treatment Program, utilizing trauma-informed care, harm reduction, and evidence-based practices such as Motivational Interviewing.
- Provide Individual and Group Counseling: Lead both individual and group counseling sessions for impaired drivers in accordance with NYS OASAS guidelines. Focus on developing insight into the relationship between substance use and impaired driving, promoting behavior change, and supporting the individual’s recovery.
- Monitor Program Compliance: Track and document the progress of participants in the IDTP. Ensure clients meet the program’s attendance and participation requirements as mandated by the court, DMV, or referral agency. Prepare and submit compliance reports as needed for monitoring bodies.
- Collaborate with Legal and DMV Systems: Work closely with probation officers, courts, the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), and other legal entities to ensure that clients comply with all legal requirements and treatment mandates. Assist with coordinating referrals to additional services as necessary.
- Facilitate Psychoeducational Groups: Deliver psychoeducational groups designed to help impaired drivers understand the dangers of impaired driving, recognize triggers, and develop strategies to reduce recidivism.
Additional Duties:
- Participate in management and supervision meetings to contribute to the ongoing improvement of services.
- Attend all required trainings related to job duties
- Perform other job-related duties as assigned by supervisor or program manager.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:
Clinical Competencies
- Strong individual and group counseling skills.
- Demonstrated experience with Motivational Interviewing techniques/stage wise treatment and IDDT
- WRAP Knowledge of Harm Reduction
- Ability to deliver Trauma -Informed, Client-Centered Treatment
Professional Skills
- Bilingual Preferred
- Proficiency in Microsoft Word; Comfortable with digital tools and software for project management, data tracking, and communication, with a commitment to leveraging technology to improve program outcomes.
- Flexibility with strong organizational/prioritization skills, with the ability to adhere to deadlines
- Ability to prioritize and follow policy and procedures.
Pay: $34.61 per hour
Benefits:
- 403(b)
- 403(b) matching
- Dental insurance
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Health savings account
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Parental leave
- Professional development assistance
- Referral program
- Vision insurance
Application Question(s):
- If you have one of the following: CASAC, LMSW, LMHC, LCAT, or LCSW licensure or a CASAC or above credential, kindly provide the correct name and document number of your licensure or credential for verification.
- How many years of experience do you have providing Naloxone (Narcan) education, distribution, and crisis intervention?
Education:
- High school or equivalent (Required)
Experience:
- Motivational Interviewing techniques: 3 years (Required)
- Substance abuse assessment/treatment: 3 years (Required)
- Impaired Driver Program: 3 years (Required)
- facilitating group / individual session: 3 years (Required)
- administer onsite drug testing/urine toxicology: 3 years (Required)
License/Certification:
- CASAC (Preferred)
- Advanced CASAC (Preferred)
- Active NYS LMSW/LCSW/LMHC/LCAT (Preferred)
Willingness to travel:
Work Location: In person
