Lead Counselor

Position Summary:

Person in this position will be responsible for providing direct clinical and treatment supervision and training to counseling staff. Essential job functions include those listed below.

Essential Job Functions:

• Daily supervision of counselors assigned to the program.
• Monitor the adherence to the policies and procedures of the program.
• Conduct monthly quality assurance reviews of the treatment case files to ensure compliance with program standards.
• Facilitate groups, family groups, and assist clients of the program.
• Fill in for counselors during times they may be unavailable due to illness, training, etc.
• Deliver individual and group counseling services, case management services, education and community outreach services, and referrals to appropriate services and community resources.
• Oversee and provide intake and program orientation for the client and family members including, but not limited to, assessment of psychological and social functioning and the development, implementation, and ongoing review of the clients Individual Treatment Plans.
• Assist and monitor data collection and statistical reporting and complete Quality Improvement reports as requested.
• Maintain relationships with referring and supporting agencies and represent the agency at various community meetings as requested.
• Participate in facilitating ancillary services, e.g., family support groups, family education groups, continuing care, networking with community agencies, developing and updating referral and resource information, etc.
• Supervise the maintenance of individual client treatment files in accordance with agency policies and procedures, including documentation of vocational/educational activities as well as all other pertinent documentation.
• Provide general client supervision, including planning and scheduling therapeutic activities.
• Prepare client progress reports, when necessary.
• Interact with the criminal justice system and/or referral sources, when necessary.
• Embrace and embody the mission, vision, guiding principles, clinical vision, and goals of WestCare Foundation.
• Perform any other duties as assigned.

Essential Qualifications:

Certifications/Licenses:

• Clinical Certification, must:
  • Hold clinical certification as a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor from the Illinois Alcoholism and Other Drug Abuse Professional Certification Association (IAODAPCA), or
  • Be a licensed professional counselor or licensed clinical professional counselor pursuant to the Professional Counselor and Clinical Professional Counselor Licensing Act [225 ILCS 107]; or
  • Be a physician licensed to practice medicine in all its branches pursuant to the Medical Practice Act of 1987; or
  • Be licensed as a psychologist pursuant to the Clinical Psychology Practice Act [225ILCS 15]; or

• Be licensed as a social worker or licensed clinical social worker pursuant to the Clinical Social Work and Social Work Practice Act [225 ILCS 20]; or
• If permissible and upon approval of the Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC), other clinical certifications that mirror one of the requirements above may be acceptable.

• Training:

• If licensure is CADC, must complete 40 hours of continuing education biennially;
• If licensure is not CADC, must complete required continuing education hours as required to maintain the other licensure.

Education:

• Masters or bachelors degree social work, psychology, criminal justice, or related field is required.

Experience and Competencies:

• Two (2) years of providing alcohol and substance abuse counseling services.
• Bilingual is preferred
• Knowledge of the criminal justice system
• Must be highly organized, detail focused, and have excellent time management
• Must possess strong computer skills
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to pass background check
• Ability to obtain and maintain OIG LEIE clearance
• Ability to pass pre-employment drug screening
• Ability to exercise good judgment and discretion
• Ability to work well in a team environment
• Adherence to the highest standard of ethical conduct, especially to standards governing confidentiality
• Must have professional appearance and demeanor
• Must be culturally/linguistically sensitive to populations served
• Ability to obtain and maintain clearance from Illinois Department of Corrections
• Ability to obtain and maintain CPR certification, first aid certification, and an annual tuberculosis test

Working Conditions:

• Work is primarily performed in an institutional setting.
• Some outdoor activities may be required.

Essential Physical and Mental Demands of the Job

The employee must be able to perform the following essential duties and activities with or without accommodation:

Physical Demands:

• Requires mobility and physical activity: Having an adequate range of body motion and mobility to work in an office, residential, or outdoor environment including standing and walking (even and uneven surfaces), sitting for extended periods of time, bending, twisting, reaching, balancing, occasional lifting and carrying of up to 50 pounds. Use of computer and telephone systems is required, which includes coordination of eye and hand, and fine manipulation by the hands (typing, writing, and working with files). Requires the ability to defend oneself and clients in physically abusive situations through the use of approved verbal de-escalation techniques.
• Requires talking: Expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word. Talking is required to impart oral information to employees, clients, patients, and the public, and in those activities in which the employee is required to convey detailed or important spoken instructions to others accurately, loudly, or quickly.
• Requires hearing: Hearing is required to receive and communicate detailed information through oral communication.
• Requires seeing: Clarity of vision at 20 inches or less and at distance. This factor is required to complete paperwork for many of the employees essential job functions and to observe client behavior and activities in and out of the facility.

• The normal work routine involves no exposure to human blood, body fluids or tissues. However, exposure or potential exposure may be required as a condition of employment. Appropriate personal protective equipment will be readily available to every employee.

Mental Demands:

• Requires the ability to collect and analyze complex numerical and written data and verbal information to reach logical conclusions.
• Requires the ability to work and cooperate with clients, co-workers, managers, the public and employees at all levels in order to exchange ideas, information, instructions and opinions.
• Requires the ability to work under stress and in emotionally charged settings.
• The ability to defend oneself and clients in mentally/verbally abusive situations through the use of approved mental/verbal de-escalation techniques.