Substance Abuse Counselor, Clinical

Class Concept

Employees are assigned to a state facility such as an area alcohol and drug abuse treatment center (ADATC), a state psychiatric hospital, a state developmental center, or a correctional facility. Employees are a member of the multidisciplinary treatment team and provide a wide range of advanced therapy and counseling skills so that treatment may be provided to clients with complex substance abuse and/or mental health issues. Cases may involve treatment of clients that have addictions to multiple substance(s), chronic mental illness, and/or psycho/social issues (e.g., community-related, family, marital, etc.). Employee uses complex and varied assessment and evaluation tools and in-depth therapeutic treatment methodologies. Treatment may include family and trauma-focused therapy. Considerable independence and judgment are used with selecting diagnostic tools and methods of treatment. Employees provide consultation and education to staff members. Employees may serve as an expert witness at court hearings and act as a technical resource regarding substance abuse evaluation and treatment and crisis intervention.

Employees may serve as a clinical supervisor to Substance Abuse Counselors.

Recruitment Requirements

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Considerable knowledge of psycho-pharmaceutical therapies and drug interactions.
• Considerable knowledge and practical application of advanced therapeutic approaches, group dynamics, and crisis intervention, family and trauma-focused therapy.
• Considerable knowledge of recovery-based community resources, such as Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous, etc.
• Considerable knowledge of medical terminology, disease processes, and their treatment as they relate to decisions regarding clinical interventions and appropriate therapies based on medical or psychological diagnoses.
• Thorough knowledge of the substance abuse addiction processes, including psychological and physical withdrawal.
• Skill in establishing rapport with clients and their families and in applying techniques of assessing psychosocial, behavioral, and psychological aspects of addiction.
• Skill in formulating clear, goal-oriented treatment plans with appropriate documentation.
• Skill to serve as clinical resource/peer consultant.
• Skill to supervise, train, or instruct lower level counselors, students, or interns.
• Skill in expressing ideas clearly and concisely and in working effectively with staff and clients.

Minimum Education and Experience

Licensed as a Clinical Addictions Specialist (LCAS) or as a Clinical Supervisor Intern (CSI) to practice under the provisions of the NC Addictions Specialist Professional Practice Board.