Interviews, screens, and assesses clients for potential program participation and services; provides substance abuse counseling, psychoeducational classes, or rehabilitative programs both in individual and group formats; and completes weekly documentation of services provided for each participating youth in accordance with Case Management Standards (CMS) and AOD program requirements. Utilizes Texas Model 2.0 principles to guide the counseling process and fosters emotionally supportive environments for youth during counseling sessions.
Develops and monitors objectives/strategies to address AOD risk factors, increase protective factors and ensure treatment delivery according to the risk-need-responsivity principle. Applies an understanding of Texas Model 2.0 to support youth through trauma-informed care and emotional regulation.
Monitors youth progress in AOD specialized treatment; updates treatment objectives for assigned youth in accordance with CMS; and completes transition planning and discharge summaries to ensure continuity of care and management of risk factors for relapse.
Conducts program orientation sessions.
- Works in collaboration with the transitional placement staff (Halfway House PSW, Parole, and AOD Specialized Treatment Program Specialist) to identify appropriate services such as AOD aftercare. Utilizes Texas Model 2.0 principles to foster a cohesive, supportive team environment that encourages the youth's progress and emotional well-being.
Conducts and facilitates required groups, individual counseling, AOD psycho-educational groups, and family contacts for assigned caseload; and plans for scheduled and unanticipated leaves of absence to ensure the provision of group services by an approved group alternate.
Participates in staff development relating to the agency¿s approved treatment program, group facilitation, CMS, AOD specific training, substance abuse training, and renews annual mandatory training requirements.
Reads, reviews, and properly applies information found in youth records related to youth health, safety, and security; provides appropriate information to other staff; and complies with policies, procedures, rules, and regulations.
Prepares and maintains records, forms, and reports, as required by CMS and the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS).
Assists the case manager during the time the youth is enrolled in treatment by developing individual treatment goals, maintaining constant communication with the case manager to ensure the youth is progressing in treatment, including development of goals, progress, transition plans etc.
Performs a variety of related duties not listed, to be determined and assigned as needed.
Performs all duties in compliance with agency safety policies and procedures:
- Reports safety hazards and corrects hazards when possible.
- Completes required documentation in the event of an accident/injury within requested timeframes.
Attends work on a regular and predictable schedule in accordance with agency attendance and leave policies.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Requirements for Substance Abuse Counselor I:
Associate¿s or Bachelor¿s Degree with major course work in Clinical Psychology, Psychology, Sociology, Social Work, Family Relations, Guidance and Counseling, Rehabilitation, or other related social sciences* field, and
Licensed in the State of Texas as a Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor ¿ Intern (LCDC-I) and working towards LCDC licensure.
No experience required.
OR
Associate¿s, Bachelor¿s, or Master¿s Degree, with an unrelated major, and
Licensed in the State of Texas as a Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor ¿ Intern (LCDC-I) and working towards LCDC licensure, and
One (1) year of full-time wage-earning experience providing chemical dependency treatment services in a licensed capacity.
Requirements for Substance Abuse Counselor II:
Associate¿s or Bachelor¿s degree with major course work in Clinical Psychology, Psychology, Sociology, Social Work, Family Relations, Guidance and Counseling, Rehabilitation, or other related social sciences* field, and
Licensed in the State of Texas as one of the following:
AND
One (1) year of full-time wage-earning experience providing chemical dependency treatment services, in a licensed capacity.
OR
Master¿s or Doctoral degree with major course work in Clinical Psychology, Psychology, Sociology, Social Work, Family Relations, Guidance and Counseling, Rehabilitation, or other related social sciences* field, and
Licensed in the State of Texas as a Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor ¿ Intern (LCDC-I) and working towards LCDC licensure.
No experience required.
OR
Associate¿s, Bachelor¿s, or Master¿s Degree, with an unrelated major, and
Licensed in the State of Texas as one of the following:
AND
Two (2) years of full-time wage-earning experience providing chemical dependency treatment services in a licensed capacity.
Requirements for Substance Abuse Counselor III:
Associate¿s or Bachelor¿s degree with major course work in Clinical Psychology, Psychology, Sociology, Social Work, Family Relations, Guidance and Counseling, Rehabilitation, or other related social sciences* field, and
Licensed in the State of Texas as one of the following:
- Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor (LCDC), or
- Licensed Qualified Credentialed Counselor (QCC) based on another qualifying licensure (Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Licensed Master Social Worker under a TSBSWEs approved clinical supervision plan, Licensed Psychologist, Licensed Physician, Certified Addictions Registered Nurse (CARN), or Advanced Practice Nurse recognized by the Board of Nurse Examiners as a clinical nurse specialist or nurse practitioner with a specialty in psych-mental health (APN-P/MH).
AND
Three (3) years of full-time wage-earning experience providing chemical dependency treatment services.
OR
Master¿s or Doctoral degree with major course work in Clinical Psychology, Psychology, Sociology, Social Work, Family Relations, Guidance and Counseling, Rehabilitation, or other related social sciences* field, and
Licensed in the State of Texas as one of the following:
- Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor (LCDC), or
- Licensed Qualified Credentialed Counselor (QCC) based on another qualifying licensure (Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Licensed Master Social Worker under a TSBSWEs approved clinical supervision plan, Licensed Psychologist, Licensed Physician, Certified Addictions Registered Nurse (CARN), or Advanced Practice Nurse recognized by the Board of Nurse Examiners as a clinical nurse specialist or nurse practitioner with a specialty in psych-mental health (APN-P/MH).
OR
Associate¿s, Bachelor¿s, or Master¿s Degree, with an unrelated major, and
Licensed in the State of Texas as one of the following:
AND
Four (4) years of full-time wage-earning experience providing chemical dependency treatment services in a licensed capacity.
The following applies to Substance Abuse Counselor I, II, and III:
Any degree, diploma, high school equivalent, or course hours required to meet minimum qualifications must be from an accredited educational institution.
Requirements:
Preferred:
Experience working with multi-disciplinary teams.
Experience in AOD programs within a correctional setting.
Experience providing AOD services to adolescents.
Experience and Education Substitutions:
- Pro-rated part-time experience may satisfy the experience requirements.
- Social Science degrees include: Clinical Psychology, Psychology, Sociology, Social Work, Family Relations, Guidance and Counseling, Rehabilitation, Criminal Justice, Education (or education certification).
Pre-employment conditions require acceptable results from mandatory:
- pre-employment drug test;
- finger printing, criminal records check, and TB testing;
- Fitness-for-Duty Assessment which may include both physical and behavior evaluations.
Requirements for Continued Employment:
