Substance Use Specialist, Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) bei ACMH INC

Description

 **ACTIVELY RECRUITING** 

Position: Substance Use Specialist, Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) 

Function:  Serves as a clinical staff member with the lead responsibility for integrating dual-recovery treatment and harm reduction with the tasks of all team members and for linking clients to local resources such as self-help groups and detox/rehab services. 

Reports to: Team Leader, ACT

Location: The Bronx

Schedule: Mondays through Fridays (9:00pm-5:00pm)

Job Summary: An excellent opportunity for an experienced human service professional to play a pivotal role in changing the life trajectory of New Yorkers who have suffered extraordinarily in their lives from homelessness, violence, trauma, untreated behavioral health conditions, incarceration, discrimination, and extreme poverty.

The multi-disciplinary ACT team will consist of a Team leader, Licensed Clinicians, a Registered Nurse, a Psychiatrist, Substance Abuse Specialist, Employment Specialist, Housing Specialist, Family Specialist and a Peer Specialist. The team will support program participants in the community to fulfill the potential that they can live stable, happy and healthy lives. Through the application of evidence-based models of care, the team will be committed to aiding program participants in making progress toward clinical stability, stable housing, social connectivity, sobriety, and other goals that improve their lives. 

The Substance Use Specialist’s role will involve participation in community outreach to engage referred members. During the initial contact, an immediate needs assessment will be completed to identify the client’s most pressing needs and to identify the domains that are most important to the client. Together with all members of the team, the Substance Use Specialist will prepare a written plan to prioritize the client’s immediate needs. The Substance Use Specialist will also participate in in-depth comprehensive assessments with a focus on substance abuse assessment and diagnosis using standardized screening tools (e.g. SBIRT, AUDIT, DAST). In addition to providing routine team duties in implementing the care plan, the Substance Use Specialist will take lead responsibility in developing/implementing plans for addressing substance use by integrating dual-recovery treatment and harm reduction. The Substance Use Specialist will use motivational interviewing strategies and apply stage-wise treatment to foster an exploration of the client’s substance use and the impact that it is having on their life in an attempt to resolve ambivalence and promote a progression to action.  

The role will require field-based work, periodic on call coverage, and a willingness to work flexible hours. On the job training will be provided around ACT CORE Training, CBT, Advanced Motivational Interviewing, IDDT, Contingency Management, and CTI and regular learning collaboratives will be available to enhance the professional development. 

Tasks:

• Develops rapport with clients in order to engage them in improving their health and wellness.
• Administers standardized health and psychosocial risk screenings according to program protocols and timeframes.
• Administers standardized substance abuse assessment screening tools including SBIRT, AUDIT, and DAST and integrates dual-recovery treatment and harm reduction strategies
• Utilizes health screenings to identify interventions and develop a comprehensive care plan
• Collaborates with members of the care team to identify needs and develop a plan to help client achieve optimal health outcomes. 
• Develops WRAP and Relapse Prevention Plans to help clients understand their patterns and triggers for use and identify interventions to deal with triggers and cravings and identify supports. 
• Utilizes Contingency Management to identify behavioral objections and issues rewards as objectives are achieved.
• Implements tasks outlined on the care plan and ensures follow up and continuity of care between client interactions.
• Regularly reviews and updates the care plan to correspond with services being provided.
• Documents all interventions and attempted contacts in the EHR in accordance with program standards.
• Works in collaboration with care providers to address Gaps in Care
• Assesses domiciled client’s living conditions by conducting home visits
• Works with family members and other collaterals of the client’s choice to facilitate planning and delivery of care 
• Provides comprehensive transitional care following hospitalization events in accordance with ACMH Critical Time Intervention (CTI) Protocols.
• Reviews new information and complex cases with PCP and multidisciplinary team and incorporates recommendations into the care plan.
• Facilitates care delivery by scheduling appointments, obtaining necessary information, and arranging transportation. 
• Identifies local resources and facilitates referrals to needed services such as self-help groups and detox/rehab services.
• Utilizes evidenced based practices, such as motivational interviewing and cognitive behavioral techniques, to empower clients to grow and attain goals.
• Embraces the team model by collaborating with members of the team and providing support as needed
• Supports client goals and serves as an advocate on client’s behalf  
• Administers Client Service Dollar (Client Service Dollars) funds and submits required documentation
• Regularly participates in team meetings and weekly clinical conference 
• Attends in-service training as requested
• Duties as assigned by supervisor

Requirements

M.A. degree in social services or a related field and one year of experience working with adults with substance use disorders or co-occurring substance use and mental health disorders. Demonstrated competency in integrated mental health and substance abuse assessment and treatment, motivational interviewing techniques and stage-wise treatment. Strong written and verbal communication skills, including competency in clinical documentation. CASAC or licensed clinician required. 

Salary: $71,438 plus generous benefits

Please include a resume, cover letter and contact information for 3 professional references.

ACMH is committed to the mental and physical wellbeing of vulnerable New Yorkers and is a leader in the provision of outreach and engagement, care management, rehabilitation, crisis support, and supportive housing. ACMH is committed to becoming an anti-racist organization and seeks to promote actionable change to create an intentional culture of equity at individual, interpersonal and institutional levels.

For more information, visit our website: www.acmhnyc.org

ACMH is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in employment decisions based on race, color, creed, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, mental or physical disability, marital status, veteran status or citizenship status.