Position Description
Position Title: Substance Abuse CounselorDepartment:Corrections
Rank:None
Reports To:Substance Abuse CoordinatorDate: July 1, 2011
GENERAL SUMMARY:
Under the supervision of the Substance Abuse Coordinator and at the direction of the Visitation/Programs Supervisor responsible for coordinating and providing substance abuse services for inmates.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:
- Assists with developing, coordinating, and delivering quality substance abuse programs and services for inmates.
- Adheres to county and department of corrections policies and procedures and suggests improvements to them.
- Assists with grant funding requirements, produces statistical data, and provides data to agencies that authorize grants for services and assures conformance to grant requirements.
- Assists the Substance Abuse Coordinator with the development of substance abuse programs
- Maintains current knowledge of trends and practices in the field through peer association, attendance at seminars, study, and review of literature; evaluates trends and developments in substance abuse treatment practices and techniques and evaluates their adaptability to needs of specific treatment programs.
- Evaluates inmates’ mental health, and substance abuse conditions; keeps the Visitation/Programs Supervisor informed of any significant changes.
- Reviews and evaluates intake paperwork on new inmate admissions; prepares pre-release and release plans for inmates to be discharged.
- Develops and maintains an effective system of communication through records, reports and the collection and tracking of statistical data..
- Attends management team meetings, safety meetings, and quality assurance meetings.
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Substance Abuse Counselor
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ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS (continued)
- Attends in-service training classes related to inmate care, safety, and substance abuse treatment services; attends seminars and workshops related to substance abuse treatment and mental health issues, and current trends in services pertaining to inmate programs.
- Communicates daily with supervisory correctional personnel, nursing staff, and program staff, answers questions, and assists with problems.
- Supervises and reviews implementation of inmate release plans and ensures these are correct and up-to-date.
OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Assists with training both substance abuse treatment and correctional staff
- No guarantee of shift assignment and/or assigned duties
- Promotes and maintains positive community relations.
- Reports any workplace safety concerns to supervisor immediately.
- Attends all mandatory in-services.
- Maintains confidentiality
- Performs other related duties as required.
SKILLS/EXPERIENCE/TRAINING REQUIRED:
Duties require knowledge of substance abuse prevention, treatment, rehabilitation, and physiological symptoms. Knowledge of detoxification practices for alcohol and/or other drugs. Knowledge of mental health issues in corrections.
Duties require knowledge equivalent to completion of a Bachelor's degree and three to five years of related experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience
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SKILLS/EXPERIENCE/TRAINING REQUIRED: (continued)
Must be a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LADC) and hold licensure with the State of New Hampshire.
Certification or equivalent of a Mental Health Social Worker (MSW) preferred
Must have knowledge of and comply with all relevant State and Federal laws, rules and regulations.
Experience and genuine interest in inmate care and rehabilitation.
Shall have initiative and judgment in determining needs of substance abuse and/or mental health services in order to maintain quality of care.
Must possess understanding, patience, and tact in working with inmates, their families, and visitors.
Must be a TEAM player and be detail oriented.
Ability to identify problems and plan solutions.
Commitment to the mission and philosophy of the Department of Corrections with a strong understanding and respect for the goals of the departments activities.
Leadership, planning, organization, and supervisory skills.
Ability to develop relevant and realistic plans, programs, and goals for Substance Abuse Treatment.
Ability to recognize department-wide priorities and work cooperatively to support their accomplishment.
Ability to perform all aspects of the job with fairness, equity, patience, discretion, confidentiality and ability to maintain poise in crisis situations.
Ability to act as a role model for employee morale and good employee relations.
Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing; to establish positive public relations for the County; and to interact effectively with a wide variety of people.
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SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY:
May provide limited supervision of other treatment personnel. Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with GraftonCounty’s policies and applicable laws.
WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
Finger and hand dexterity to handle and manipulate instruments and equipment.
Visual and aural acuity to detect changes in patient’s conditions.
Must be able to lift moderate weights, stoop, and bend.
Normal work hours shall vary to ensure adequate supervision of all shifts.
Work is performed primarily in a correctional facility environment, which is generally not subject to extremes in temperature, odors, etc.
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to do this job. The above is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties required.
*External and internal applicants, as well as position incumbents who become disabled as defined under the Americans With Disabilities Act, must be able to perform the essential job functions (as listed) either unaided or with the assistance of a reasonable accommodation to be determined by management on a case by case basis.
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Department Head ApprovalDate
I have read this position description and understand its contents.
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Employee SignatureDate
Personnel / New Job Descriptions
Corrections / Substance Abuse Counselor
07/11