Job Specification
SUBSTANCE ABUSE COUNSELOR 2, MENTAL HEALTH / ALCOHOLISM SERVICE
DEFINITION:
Under the direction of a Program Coordinator (Mental Health/Alcoholism
Services) or other supervisory officer in psychiatric facilities under the
direction of the Division of Mental Health and Hospitals, Department of
Human Services, acts as a case counselor or primary treatment therapist
or supervises the work of a small group of lower grade counselors and
does varied tasks involved in assisting clients suffering from mental
illness and alcoholism to make the most satisfactory social and emotional
adjustments possible; supervises staff and work activities; prepares and
signs official performance evaluations for subordinate staff; does related
work as required.
NOTE: The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes
only. A particular position using this title may not perform all duties listed
in this job specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may
not be listed.
EXAMPLES OF WORK:
As directed, provides alcoholism counseling and serves to achieve
objectives of the Mental Health/Alcoholism Programs of the Division
of Mental Health and Hospitals.
Participates as interdisciplinary team member, contributing alcoholism
knowledge, skills and values.
Makes field visits and interacts with community mental health and
alcoholism providers as may be required to interpret the policies,
procedures, regulations, standards and objectives of mental
health/alcoholism programs under the Division of Mental Health
and Hospitals.
As assigned by supervisor, participates with other community
institutional staff, programs, and agencies in planning services
for mentally ill alcoholics.
Conducts special surveys, studies and investigations and
documents and reports findings with recommendations.
Gives assignments to lower grade counselors and supervises
their work as needed and evaluates their performance. Has line
authority to recommend personnel actions (hiring, promotions,
reassignments, disciplinary actions).
May be required to make safety and fire checks, bed checks of
students or patients, sanitation checks, inventory equipment or
perform other duties during emergencies to protect patients and
to protect state property.
Supervises the work operations and/or functional programs and
has responsibility for effectively recommending the hiring, firing,
promoting, demoting and/or disciplining of employees.
Maintains an assigned caseload and provides group, individual,
family counseling, treatment lectures, slides, tapes or other modalities.
Assigns caseloads and ensures efficient use of available staff.
Organizes and supervises training and educational programs for
staff development.
Plans, conducts, and supervises formal group discussions on
subjects contributing to increased social and emotional functioning
of clients.
Reviews current literature in the field of mental health and alcoholism
with emphasis on counseling the mentally ill alcoholic.
Prepares documentation as required.
Reviews problems, issues, or practices bearing on the care and
treatment of mentally ill alcoholics reporting findings, conclusions
and recommendations.
Establishes and maintains relationship with Alcoholics Anonymous
and uses volunteer services as needed.
Maintains the essential records and files.
May be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or
manual recording and information systems used by the agency,
office, or related units.
REQUIREMENTS:
CERTIFICATION:
Applicants must possess a certificate as a Certified Alcohol and
Drug Counselor (CADC), issued by the Board of Marriage and
Family Therapy Examiners, New Jersey Division of Consumer
Affairs, Department of Law and Public Safety.
Applicants who possess the credentials as a Licensed Clinical
Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LCADC) are considered to have
met the above certification requirements
EXPERIENCE:
Two (2) years of experience in mental health or alcoholism counseling
or social work having the responsibility for gathering and analyzing
social or health information from clients, the determination of their
needs and the planning and carrying out of a treatment plan geared
to the needs of individual clients, one (1) year of which shall have
included direct experience with persons addicted to alcohol in an
alcohol treatment, prevention and/or rehabilitation program.
LICENSE:
Appointee will be required to possess a driver's license valid in
New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee
mobility, is necessary to perform the essential duties of the position.
KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES:
Knowledge of modern counseling theory, procedures, and techniques.
Knowledge of current facts, theories, hypotheses, programs, and
research in the area of alcoholism and mental health.
Ability to supervise assigned staff and plan, organize, and
implement projects within the unit.
Ability to organize and supervise assigned counseling to be done
with psychiatrically hospitalized alcoholics and capability to analyze
the social psychological, economics and other problems which arise
therein, and capability to develop appropriate work methods within
the framework of established regulations.
Ability to collect, compile and make accurate appraisals of data
and information.
Ability to make the required field visits, studies and investigations
and prepare detailed case histories, records and reports based
thereon.
Ability to assign caseloads and supervise performance of lower
grade counselors.
Ability to take part in lay and professional meetings and conferences.
Ability to prepare required documentation.
Ability to prepare clear, technically sound, accurate and informative
reports containing findings, conclusions and recommendations
pertaining to mentally ill alcoholics.
Ability to maintain essential histories, records and files.
Ability to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual
recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or
related units.
Ability to read, write, speak, understand, or communicate in English
sufficiently to perform the duties of this position. American Sign
Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms
of communication.
Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible as
long as they can perform essential functions of the job with
or without reasonable accommodation. If the accommodation
cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue
hardship, such persons may not be eligible.
This job specification is applicable to the following title code: | | Job
Spec
Code | Variant | State,
Local or
Common | Class of
Service | Work
Week | State
Class
Code | Local
Class
Code | Salary
Range | Note | | 63115C | Mental Health/Alcoholism Services | S | C | NL | 22 | N/A | R22 | - |
This job specification is for state government use only.
Salary range is only applicable to state government.
Local salaries are established by individual local jurisdictions.
3/5/2016 |
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