Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor

APLA Health’s mission is to achieve health care equity and promote well-being for the LGBT and other underserved communities and people living with and affected by HIV. We are a nonprofit, federally qualified health center serving more than 14,000 people annually. We provide 20 different services from 15 locations throughout Los Angeles County, including: medical, dental, and behavioral health care; PrEP counseling and management; health education and HIV prevention; and STD screening and treatment. For people living with HIV, we offer housing support; benefits counseling; home health care; and the Vance North Necessities of Life Program food pantries; among several other critically needed services. Additionally, we are leaders in advocating for policy and legislation that positively impacts the LGBT and HIV communities, provide capacity-building assistance to health departments across the country, and conduct community-based research on issues affecting the communities we serve. For more information, please visit us at aplahealth.org.

 We offer great benefits, competitive pay, and great working environment!  

We offer:

• Medical Insurance
• Dental Insurance (no cost for employee)
• Vision Insurance (no cost for employee)
• Long Term Disability
• Group Term Life and AD&D Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• 11 Paid Holidays
• 4 Personal Days
• 10 Vacation Days
• 12 Sick Days
• Metro reimbursement or free parking
• Employer Matched (6%) 403b Retirement Plan

This is a great opportunity to make a difference!

This position will pay $25.60 - $28.82 hourly. Salary is commensurate with experience.

POSITION SUMMARY:

Under the direction of the Substance Use Disorder Services Director, the Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC) will provide substance use disorder services for patients of APLA Health & Wellness. Staff will provide services identified through a substance use disorder screening tool and assessment to promote health and wellness through services, advocacy and education with a focus on the needs of low-income LGBTQ adults including but not limited to people living with HIV/AIDS. Position will collaborate with existing services at APLA Health & Wellness to provide integrated care from a holistic perspective.  In addition, staff will be tasked with providing education and consultation to primary care and behavioral health providers on areas of substance use disorder treatment, and seeking to enhance our integrated care model.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Complete substance use disorder services intakes, screening tools, assessments; develop a treatment plan that addresses the collaborative clinical goals of counselor and patient and document treatment progress notes; provide treatment termination & case closure.
• Provide individual and group substance use counseling, building a caseload with a goal of 30 hours of billable services delivered per week.
• Provide substance use disorder treatment or behavioral health referrals, advocacy, and service information to patients and their support systems.
• Act as a liaison between the APLA Health substance use disorder services and other services to ensure seamless and timely enrollment. 
• Remain abreast of changes and updates within the substance use field that would be of benefit to the substance use programs and its respective clients. 
• Provide appropriate crisis intervention and emotional support to clients.
• Respond aptly to emergencies and notify appropriate staff and supervisor(s) in a timely manner.
• Provide outreach, patient identification, education, and provider consultation on addiction treatment and enhancing our integrated service delivery model of care.
• Participate in the collection, development, and deployment of education and outreach materials with a specific focus on issues related to the LGBT population in need of substance use identification and treatment, including opioid misuse information and resources.
• Utilize harm reduction techniques and framework to engage clients and reduce risky behavior while remaining well-versed and open to abstinence-based interventions for clients seeking that model.
• Document services in eClinicalWorks and/or other charting and data collection systems as appropriate.  Documentation will be performed in a timely and accurate fashion in accordance with program policies and professional standards of care.
• Adhere to all applicable professional, legal, and ethical standards of substance use counselling in the provision of services, including but not limited to: mandated reporting, provision of effective services, case documentation, client confidentiality/HIPAA regulations, ensuring client safety, and maintaining professional boundaries.
• Attend trainings and case conference meetings as required.
• Prepare monthly reports and statistics as requested. 
• Maintain patient substance use disorder files to ensure completed documentation required by funders and agency Quality Management Plan.
• Maintain open and accurate verbal and written communications with supervisor.
• Assist supervisor with the development and implementation of in person or virtual community forums and workshops.
• Ensure culturally and linguistically appropriate services.          

OTHER DUTIES MAY BE ASSIGNED TO MEET BUSINESS NEEDS.

REQUIREMENTS:

Training and Experience: 

• High School Diploma or GED required 
• Minimum 2 years SUD counseling experience.
• Minimum 2 years’ experience working with LGBTQ+ community
• Certified as a Substance Use Disorder (SUD) counselor with a California certificate agency such as CAADE, CCAPP, or CADTP 
• Versed in counseling protocols and techniques associated with the facilitation of substance use interventions.  

Preferred:

• Associate Degree or higher preferred
• Bilingual English/Spanish preferred

Knowledge of: 

• Twelve-step programs and principles. 
• Health disparities spectrum of HIV and STD disease 
• Harm reduction and behavior modification theories 
• Health and social concerns of LGBTQ+ community
• Gender specific and evidence-based services
• Motivational Interviewing
• State and local resources, recovery treatment regulations 

Ability to: 

• Respect client boundaries and maintain professionalism in dress, speech and actions.
• Coordinate multiple tasks.
• React calmly and effectively in client crisis situations.
• Communicate effectively with a diverse population. 
• Conduct group presentations, operate standard office equipment including Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint); and meet assigned deadlines. 

WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: 

This is primarily an office position that requires only occasional bending, reaching, stooping, lifting and moving of office materials weighing 25 pounds or less. The position requires daily use of a personal computer and requires entering, viewing, and revising text and graphics on the computer terminal and on paper.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

Must possess a valid California driver’s license; proof of auto liability insurance; and have the use of a personal vehicle for work related purposes OR be able to travel for work related reasons reasonably through alternative transportation.

COVID vaccination and booster required or medical/religious exemption.

Equal Opportunity Employer: minority/female/transgender/disability/veteran.