Lead Counselor

Company Summary

If you are searching for a fulfilling place to develop your career and an opportunity to make a difference in helping others, then keep reading on. Here at AAC, we have a progressive culture; we listen to your ideas, value a work/life balance, invest in education, and we foster trust and respect for all individuals. Our exceptional comp and strong benefits include 401K, medical, dental, vision and life insurance. We are looking for our future leaders, who are not only going to fill the qualifications for this job description, but who are going to exceed expectations. Be a part of a team whose mission is to provide quality, compassionate, and innovative care to adults struggling with addiction and co-occurring mental health disorders. Our purpose and passion are to empower patients, their families, and our communities by helping individuals achieve recovery and optimal wellness of the mind, body, and spirit.

Job Summary

Responsible for providing individual, group and family counseling. Conduct clinical assessments for new patients and on-going required assessments. Lead Counselor will demonstrate expertise in therapeutic interventions, treatment modalities and utilize evidence based practices. Lead Counselor will participate in Treatment team and provide service coordination as needed for patients. Lead Counselor will advocate and communicate with the Utliziation Review department on all aspects of patient care.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide intervention, assessments, treatment planning, triage and individual/group counseling.
• Initiate and provide family counseling services.
• Provide clinical services to all patients on caseload and assist when needed with other patients as assigned by Clinical Director.
• Provides clinical supervision to assigned interns, if applicable.
• Participate in weekly treatment team meeting and program staff meetings.
• Ensure that all documentation necessary meet contract, licensure, accreditation and standards for services in a timely manner following the AAC’s documentation policy guidelines.
• Communicate efficiently with other departments to ensure the best care for patients.
• Understand and abide by State Department standards, facility accreditation, AAC’s policy and procedures.
• Demonstate dependability and adaptability.
• Maintains confidentiality of patient and company information.
• Abide by the standards of HIPAA, 42 CFR Part 2.
• Assists in monitoring and managing patient community as a therapeutic milieu.
• Intervenes in crisis to deescalates situation and resolves crises, using events as entries into therapeutic processes for patient.
• Diagnose substance use disorder and/or other co-occurring psychiatric disorders within scope of practice.
• Participate in the ‘Administrator On Call’ (AOC) rotation, which can include major holidays. Responsible for finding coverage if cannot perform AOC duties.
• Facilitate/lead weekly Treatment Team with assigned Counselors, Provider, and Utilization Reviewer. Responsible for modifying Master discharge list with updated discharge dates and plans the day of treatment team meeting.
• Create weekly group schedule and submit to Clinical Director for approval by 5pm Sunday evenings.
• The Lead Counselor serves as the primary point of contact and designated staff member in charge for any clinical or behavioral concerns or crises when Clinical Director is out of the office or off property.
• The Lead Counselor is expected to consistently communicate/collaborate with Clinical Director regarding client or staff concerns and assist Clinical Director with fostering a positive team-oriented environment and morale.
• Other duties as assigned.

Education/ Experience:

• Master’s Degree in Behavioral Sciences required (social work, counseling or psychology).
• License to practice in the State of employment (LPC, LCSW, LMFT, LMHC, etc., or Associate).
• Minimum of 3 years experience in a behavioral healthcare field.
• Experience working with substance abuse, addictions, mental health, cognitive behavior treatment and motivational interviewing.
• Knowledge of utilizing electronic health record software and documentation.
• Knowledge of ASAM criteria.
• Counseling experience with adults, an understanding of psychotropic medications and symptoms and effects.
• Ability to read, write and interpret written information, type documentation, present information to groups and participates in meetings.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook.
• Must be able to work overtime, weekends, holidays, and flexible hours.
• Valid driver license and insurable driving record (If driving a company vehicle or if driving personal vehicle for company business; refer to Guidelines for Driving Company Vehicles).  

Physical Requirements

“AAC is committed to principles of equal opportunities for all employees.  The Company will provide reasonable accommodations that are necessary to comply with State and Federal disability discrimination laws”

• Ability to sit, use hands and fingers, talk or hear, and smell continually.  Ability to stand, walk and reach frequently. Ability to climb or balance, stoop, kneel, or crouch occasionally.
• Ability to frequently lift and carry up to 10 lbs. and occasionally lift and carry up to 25 lbs.
• Close vision required to see computer monitor, read documents, and operate copy and fax machine.  Distance vision required to drive an automobile, if driving is a requirement of the job.
• Work environment is indoors and climate controlled.  Occasionally exposed to outdoor weather conditions.
• Moderate noise levels as found in a business office with computer printers, households with TVs and dishwashers, and driving light traffic.

 Certifications and Licenses:

• License to practice in the State of employment ( LPC, LCSW, LMFT, LMHC, etc. or Associate).

American Addiction Centers is an equal opportunity employer.  American Addiction Centers prohibits employment practices that discriminate against individuals or groups of employees on the basis of age, color disability, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy, veteran or military status, genetic information or any other category deemed protected by state and/or federal law.