POSITION OVERVIEW:
The Integrated Treatment Program (ITP) Intake Specialist serves as a primary point of entry into HHCLA's outpatient SUD treatment program. The Intake Specialist is an SUD counselor who conducts screenings and comprehensive ASAM assessments, completes admission and intake documentation, supports determination of clinical appropriateness for outpatient treatment within counselor scope and program requirements, and facilitates timely linkage to the appropriate level of care. The position works closely with SUD counselors, behavioral health clinicians, MAT and medical providers, case managers, peers/community health workers, and referral partners to ensure a welcoming, low-barrier, trauma-informed intake experience.
PRINICIPAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Conduct initial SUD screenings and comprehensive ASAM assessments to identify treatment needs and support appropriate level-of-care recommendations in accordance with SAPC, DMC-ODS, DHCS, Medi-Cal, and HHCLA requirements.
- Complete the full ITP intake and admission process, including required consents, releases of information, program orientation, biopsychosocial/intake documentation, initial treatment planning, and other required admission forms.
- Interview clients to gather substance use, medical, behavioral health, social, housing, legal, recovery, risk, strengths, and treatment history needed for a clinically sound assessment.
- Identify urgent behavioral health, medical, withdrawal, overdose, safety, or other needs during intake and coordinate timely consultation, escalation, or referral according to program protocols.
- Review assessment findings with the client and treatment team and coordinate admission to ITP or linkage to another level of care or service when outpatient treatment is not appropriate.
- Provide a welcoming, low-threshold, harm-reduction and trauma-informed intake experience that supports engagement, informed choice, dignity, and retention in treatment.
- Coordinate with referral sources, CENS, courts, hospitals, residential programs, community providers, internal HHCLA programs, and other partners to obtain needed information and facilitate timely admission and continuity of care.
- Maintain intake scheduling, follow up with clients who miss or do not complete intake appointments, and communicate intake status and barriers to appropriate team members.
- Complete timely, accurate, and compliant clinical documentation in the electronic health record and other required systems, including documentation necessary to support billing and program compliance.
- Participate in multidisciplinary case consultation, treatment planning, team meetings, supervision, training, quality improvement, and chart review.
- Maintain knowledge of ASAM Criteria, SUD treatment practices, harm reduction, HIPAA, 42 CFR Part 2, and applicable SAPC/DMC-ODS requirements.
- Provide SUD counseling, brief intervention, care coordination, or other services within counselor scope as needed to support engagement and continuity during intake and admission.
- Perform other duties consistent with the SUD counselor scope of practice and needs of ITP.
- Implements and consistently practices harm reduction, trauma informed care, housing first and integrated care interventions.
- Able to serve a diverse vulnerable client populations and communicate effectively in a culturally competent manner.
- Able to work in a multi-disciplinary team environment, utilizing professional, open and respectful communication. Maintains a solution focused, strengths based and client centered approach with managers, co-workers and clients of HHCLA.
- Ensures performance management standards are met through ongoing supervision addressing barriers as they arise.
- Maintains client records according to HIPAA and adheres to all client confidentiality requirements and standards.
- Complies and maintains familiarity with agency and program policies and procedures and other applicable regulations.
- Attends and participates in supervision, staff meetings, trainings, conferences, workshops, and special projects to promote professional development.
- Models HHCLA approach, mission and core values in all communication, correspondence, community events, coalitions and advocacy efforts.
- Reports to work on time and maintains reliable and regular attendance.
- Maintains current licensing and/or certification as required for position.
- Other duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS & SKILLS:
REQUIRED:
Education and Work Experience:
- High school diploma or equivalent required.
- Current registration as a SUD Counselor with a California DHCS-recognized certifying organization.
- Minimum of two (2) years of experience providing substance use disorder treatment services in an outpatient, community-based, behavioral health, or similar setting.
- Previous experience conducting and completing ASAM assessments is required.
- Experience completing SUD intakes, including clinical interviews, screenings, assessment, treatment planning, and required clinical documentation.
- Experience working with individuals with substance use disorders and co-occurring behavioral health, medical, housing, and psychosocial needs.
Knowledge and Skills:
- Ability to complete accurate clinical documentation within required timelines and work effectively in an electronic health record.
- Ability to work effectively with people experiencing homelessness, co-occurring behavioral health conditions, medical complexity, justice-system involvement, and other barriers to care.
- Strong communication, organization, time-management, and client engagement skills.
- Familiar with the principles of Harm Reduction, Motivational Interviewing, Trauma Informed Care, Housing First and Integrated Care
- Experience working with culturally diverse communities and vulnerable populations
- Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from clients, office personnel, other employees and the general public
- Ability to work in fast-paced, high energy environment
- Ability to define problems and use critical thinking skills to identify solutions
- Ability to work independently and with others – including other employees, clients and members of the public -- in face-to-face and telephonic contexts
- Ability to multi-task, establish priorities and manage time, meet deadlines and perform duties under time constraints
- Ability to be flexible and adapt to changing work demands
- Maintain high level of concentration and attention to detail for extended periods of time
- Ability to respond effectively to sensitive inquiries or concerns
- Maintain a high level of ethical and professional standards in accordance with agency policies
- Computer literate (basic working knowledge of Microsoft WORD, Excel, and Outlook) and data/electronic records
- Must possess a valid California Driver’s License, properly registered vehicle and insurance
Certificates, Licenses, Registrations:
Current certification as an SUD Counselor (e.g., CADC, CATC, SUDCC, or equivalent California-recognized certification).
PREFERRED:
- Strong written skills
- Bilingual Spanish
- Experience with Los Angeles County SAPC documentation and intake requirements.
- Experience using SAGE or a comparable behavioral health electronic health record.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED:
Staff success and professional development is a priority at HHCLA. Staff will receive weekly individual supervision with their direct supervisor. Additionally, direct service staff will have the opportunity to participate in group supervision, which provides a learning and supportive environment to promote quality client care, self-care and a healthy work environment.
ORGANIZATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS/INTERACTION:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily; help maintain a health work environment, initiates and maintains professional interactions and communication with HHCLA employees and/or others, and interacts with all levels of organizational staff and management; outside auditors, community partners and/or vendors.
LEADERSHIP EXPECTATIONS:
Communication – Effectively and consistently communicates contract and compliance directives to staff. Encourages interactive discussions and maintains an open-door policy. Ensures that all staff within the program are properly educated and informed about matters relating to the agency.
Relationships and Attitude – Models professionalism by maintaining effective working relationships, following all policies and procedures and approaching challenges with a proactive and positive attitude. Also develops strong, trusted relationships with colleagues and customers.
Attendance –Models good attendance by adhering to the regular work schedule and at times works additional or varied hours to accommodate workflow.
Problem Solving – Ability to analyze problems and implement acceptable solutions.
Confidentiality - Maintains the confidentiality of all business documents and correspondence.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee must be able to: use hands to produce records and/or documentation in manual or electronic format. The employee is frequently required to stand and sit. The employee must possess ability to ensure significant communication with HHCLA’s community members. The employee must
regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally move or lift up to 25 pounds. The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
WORK ENVIRONMENT:
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, must be available to work irregular hours, shifts, weekends, holidays. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. Employee will constantly work in indoor and outdoor weather conditions.
AMERICANS WITH DISABILITY SPECIFICATIONS:
There is one flight of stairs that must be climbed to the 2 floor at the Beverly Site location. There is no elevator access within the office.
Pay: $26.00 - $29.00 per hour
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Retirement plan
- Vision insurance
People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply
Work Location: In person
