Counselor I

Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center

Title:  Counselor I

Department:  Luminis Health/Behavioral Health Pathways

Reports To:  20002-10035-0006360

Cost Center/Job Code: 20002-10035-000645

FLSA Status:  Non - Exempt

Position Objective:

This position serves as primary counselor, case manager, and group facilitator for patients with primary substance use and co-occurring mental health disorders.  Our treatment philosophy is based on evidence based practices and multiple pathways to recovery; all staff collaborate to provide a treatment environment of learning, growth, and individualized clinical interventions to foster patient success.

Essential Job Duties:

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

1. Provide assessment and counseling to individuals and groups along with integrated case management:
   • Provide biopsychosocial assessment to patients as assigned.
   • Provide collaborative treatment planning, case management, discharge planning and linkage with appropriate level of care and/or community resources.
   • Conduct individual counseling sessions per level of care while establishing therapeutic alliance and maintaining effective working relationships with patients.
   • Determine patient strengths; integrate patient’s expressed goals and measurement based care into treatment planning including achievable steps with specified target dates and documenting/recognizing patient’s progress.
2. Facilitate psychoeducational and/or therapeutic groups as assigned and may be responsible for group coverage due to vacancy or absence.
3. Demonstrate knowledge of ASAM, DSM V criteria, Evidence Based Practices, and medications used in substance use treatment, relative to the assessment,  reassessment, and treatment of patient needs throughout the episode of care.
4. Maintain chart documentation, under supervision, according to Joint Commission, COMAR, Luminis Health and Pathways’ requirements.
5. Work collaboratively as part of a multi-disciplinary team:
   • Provide back-up support to multi-disciplinary staff as needed including supervision of treatment environment if needed.  Conduct drug testing (and searches as applicable) in accordance with regulatory standards, clinical judgement, and level of care requirements.
   • Collaborate with other Pathways Counselors and staff to manage emergent and complex patient problems, concerns or other issues including cross-coverage of patients assigned to other counselors as needed.
   • Participate in clinical and multi-disciplinary team meetings and supervision, along with in-service and other assigned trainings.
   • Work collaboratively with all patients and staff to ensure that care is delivered to each patient based on their unique needs, strengths, values and preferences.
6. Luminis Behavioral Health provides multiple levels of care; every staff member has a role in our patients’ success and staff may be asked to work in other areas of admission or treatment as needed. 

Educational/Experience Requirements:

Required Minimum Education. The minimum level of education for this position includes an AA/AS degree from an accredited college or university with coursework in behavioral health.

Required Minimum Experience: One year work experience in behavioral health care including individual and/or group counseling for individuals with substance use disorders is required.

Required License/Certifications:

Current approval as an Alcohol and Drug Trainee (ADT) from the Maryland Board of Professional Counselors and Therapists is required.

Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification through approved Luminis Health system required within 30 days of hire.

Driver’s license and driving record with no more than two points.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

Ability to work cooperatively and collaboratively with all types of disciplines and personalities while maintaining a positive and healthful work environment. 

Display personal attributes of compassion, integrity, honesty and willingness to engage in critical self-appraisal. 

Demonstrate ability to balance initiative/working independently while accepting feedback and direction.

Working Conditions, Equipment, Physical Demands:

Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 30 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects.

Flexibility to work occasionally outside normal daytime work hours.

Must be able to observe and note patient behaviors as needed including during group activities.

Must be able to hear typical environmental sounds including during some background noise.

Can understand and operate from the conceptual basis of tasks and activities.

Ability to move tables and chairs for setting up rooms for counseling. 

There is reasonable expectation that employees in this position will be exposed to blood-borne pathogens.

The above is intended to describe the general content of and requirements for the performance of this job. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements.