Substance Abuse Counselor

 Job Summary The Substance Abuse Counselor works as a team of the multi-disciplinary homeless street outreach team, in collaboration with social service professionals, ensuring the delivery of quality care in accordance to the rules and regulations established by the Los Angeles Department of Health Services for contracted agencies, as well as adhering to the mission of St. Joseph Center. The E6 MDT Substance Abuse Counselor will use the “whatever it takes” approach to help people experiencing homelessness get connected to substance abuse resources, and supportive services, in order to obtain permanent housing. ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES The Substance Abuse Counselor’s key areas of responsibility include:Key Areas of Responsibility: Implement case management service plan goals emphasizing coordinated strategies for addressing substance abuse issues, relapse prevention, and any other risk factors that could impede client’s functioning.Provide ongoing assessment of client progress in attaining goals.Utilize a harm reduction model when working with clients.Link clients to appropriate bridge/interim housing programs and assist them in completing required paperwork in order to enroll them in permanent housing programs. Essential Duties: Provide ongoing case management services that will decrease social isolation and prevent relapse risks; provide linkage and brokerage to any mental health, substance abuse, and meaningful community activities.Provide crisis management, case management, and other related substance abuse/mental health services to clients on the streets, in service venues, in housing placements, or other locations as appropriate.Respond to urgent requests for assistance from clients as needed.Perform daily follow-ups and wellness checks on existing clients and on all new referrals.Participate in all meetings with collaborative agencies and other community meetings as directed.Conducts 1:1 consistent with harm reduction principles to facilitate patient awareness, understand, and motivation to change related to addiction and recovery issues, as necessary.Cultivate relationships with substance abuse treatment providers in the service area.Must be able to operate a motor vehicle to perform the essential functions of the position, which includes transporting clients in company vehicles.Other duties and responsibilities may be assigned. The duties and responsibilities listed are designed to provide typical examples of the work performed; not all duties and responsibilities assigned are included here, nor is it expected that all similar positions will be assigned every duty and responsibility.