ACT Substance Use Specialist

Agency Profile: Spectrum Health & Human Services respectfully partners with adults, children and families as they recover from behavioral, emotional, mental health and/or substance related disorders by offering individualized and meaningful opportunities of hope, empowerment and support to achieve self-defined improvements in their quality of life.

Full-time: 2040 Seneca Street, Buffalo, NY

SUMMARY OF POSITION FUNCTION: 

This member of the ACT multidisciplinary team has training in one of the mental health professions (i.e. Nursing, social work, rehabilitation counseling or psychology) and clinical skill and experience to assess plan, develop, coordinate, and provide treatment, rehabilitation, and support services to program clients with severe and persistent mental illnesses and substance abuse disorders under the clinical supervision of the team leader and the psychiatrist.  The member functions as a clinical member of the multidisciplinary team and provides treatment, rehabilitation, and support services or may be designated by the team leader to function as the lead mental health and/or substance use specialist.

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: 

• Knowledge and demonstration of agency core values in day-to-day activities
• Knowledge of working with individuals transitioning from jail/forensic/institutional settings.
• Provide case management for clients including coordinating and monitoring the activities of the individual treatment team; assume primary responsibility for developing, writing, implementing, evaluating and revising overall treatment goals and plans in conjunction with the treatment team; provide individual supportive therapy and symptom management, ensuring immediate changes are made in the treatment plans as clients’ needs change; education and support clients’ families and advocate for clients’ rights and preferences.
• Conduct comprehensive assessment for psychiatric history (i.e.; onset, course and effect of illness; past treatment and responses; and risk behaviors)’ mental status, and diagnosis; physical health and dental health’ use of drugs, or alcohol; education and employment; social development and functioning; activities of daily living (e.g., self-care, living situations, nutrition, money management); and family structure and relationships.
• Act as liaison and consult with community agencies and families to maintain coordination in the treatment process.
• Document client progress to maintain a permanent record of client activity according to established methods and procedures.
• Ability to provide substance use therapy utilizing evidenced-based therapy interventions which include psychoeducation and information related to treatment, harm reduction techniques and medication assisted treatment options.
• Provide treatment, rehabilitation, and support services; with some interventions directed or performed by staff with specialty training and skills (e.g., vocational specialists).
• Ability to provide family psycho educational services and assist with integrating family goals and services for all clients with other team members.
• Take the lead role and participate in providing Substance use treatment services, which includes IDDT group/individual therapy, relapse prevention planning, harm reduction, referrals/linkage to detox/inpatient/community referrals etc. 
• Frequent or occasional driving of personal vehicle for purpose of transporting clients in the community and/or site visits (client or work related)

SKILLS/COMPETENCIES:

• Demonstrate a clear understanding of the characteristics and problems of adults with severe and persistent mental illness and substance abuse disorders and be knowledgeable about the ACT model.
• Demonstrate thorough knowledge of effective clinical practices and principles.
• Knowledge in working with a population of people transitioning from jail/forensic setting.
• Demonstrate knowledge and experience in assessment, diagnosis, co-occurring disorders, and substance abuse or dependency.
• Excellent written and oral skills communicating in English
• Must have ACT training within six (6) months of hire
• Must be proficient in the use of computers and all Microsoft Office Products i.e. Word, Excel, Power Point, Outlook, etc.

EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS:

• Master’s or doctoral Degrees in Nursing, Social Work, Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Rehabilitation Counseling, or Psychology are eligible as are Registered Occupational therapists.
• Must be licensed to practice in the state in which the program is operating.
• Training from ACT Institute within 6 months of hire
• LMSW, LCSW, LMFT, LMHC, PHD, PSYD, RN, LPN

EXPERIENCE:

• Minimum of three (3) years of post-secondary school education working in the field of behavioral health treatment; especially with an emphasis on the Co-occurring population and working with individuals in a forensic setting, including internships and other supervised practical experiences in a clinical or rehabilitation setting with persons with severe and persistent mental illness.
• 1 year of providing substance use disorder treatment in an outpatient, inpatient or community-based setting.  
• Experience integrating dual-recovery treatment in collaboration with clinical team members. 
• Must possess the ability to provide and coordinates assessment, treatment, planning, and services for substance use based on the needs of the individual.
• Must possess a valid Driver’s License with a satisfactory driving record, and possess a personal vehicle for job requirement

COMPENSATION: $52,000/yr - $66,000/yr