MOUD Counselor (Telehealth) FT

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Telehealth MOUD Counselor will provide virtual counseling and treatment services to individuals incarcerated in a correctional facility, focusing on the assessment, treatment, and recovery of those with substance use disorders. This role is responsible for delivering evidence-based therapeutic interventions through secure telehealth platforms, conducting individual and group counseling sessions, and collaborating with correctional staff and multidisciplinary teams to ensure coordinated care. The counselor will work to reduce substance use, support recovery, and improve the overall well-being of incarcerated individuals, while promoting successful reintegration into the community. Essential Job Functions are below:

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Administer, score, and interpret all required screening and assessment tools including but not limited to the TCU Drug Screen, Treatment Assignment Protocol and the URICA
• May also use other assessment and substance abuse evaluation tools to support level of care ASAM placement
• Conducts screenings and assessments during the intake process and back-end screenings for standing populations
• Deliver treatment services to the participants.
• Conduct group and individual meetings.
• Evaluate the progress of the participants assigned.
• Work directly with the participants to develop and implement a treatment service plan.
• Work with the participant to create a support network for the participant’s pending return to the community.
• Initiate and sustain each participant’s motivation to participate in treatment, using techniques of engagement including therapeutic relationships, individual counseling, and brief interventions.
• 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 and ensure files are securely stored.
• General participant supervision including planning and scheduling therapeutic activities.
• Maintain all information according to the laws of confidentiality as required by the Federal Register, General Provisions, Title 42, Chapter 1, Part 2, which prohibits making disclosures without the specific written consent of the client, or as otherwise permitted by such regulations.
• Participate in staffing regarding participants with other team members
• Must Embrace and embody the mission, vision, guiding principles, clinical vision, and goals of WestCare Foundation; and
• Perform all other duties as assigned.

ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the duties and responsibilities satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

ESSENTIAL COMPETENCIES:

• Ability to understand a variety of models including cognitive behavioral therapy, theories of addiction and dynamics related to substance use and other criminogenic risk factors.
• Knowledge of offender populations, criminal subcultures, and cultural differences, substance abuse assessment tools, therapeutic community concepts.
• Ability to know and comply with program documentation requirements, applicable ethical and professional standards of conduct.
• Ability to conduct initial clinical assessments and/or evaluations which serve as the basis for diagnosis and treatment.
• Ability to provide services appropriate to the personal and cultural identity and language of the participant.
• Ability to tailor helping strategies and treatment modalities to the participant's stage of dependence, change or recovery.
• Ability to interact in a professional manner in both individual and group counseling settings.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficiency in word processing  
• High level of initiative.
• Adherence to the highest standard of ethical conduct, especially to standards governing confidentiality.
• Professional appearance and demeanor.
• Bilingual (fluent in English and Spanish) preferred.
• Ability to obtain and maintain clearance from Maryland Department of Corrections.
• Valid driver’s license and ability to obtain and maintain WestCare’s vehicle insurance is required.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain OIG and NSOPW Clearance and
• During your tenure with WestCare there may be new requirements, including, but not limited to vaccinations that are issued by local, State, Federal, and/or Funders that WestCare may have to comply with. Should this occur Human Resources or appropriate personnel will inform you.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE:

• Experience consisting of one (1) year of providing direct substance abuse counseling services to the criminal justice population preferred.
• Must possess at a minimum an associate degree in Human Services or Substance Abuse is required.

LICENSURE/CERTIFICATION:

• Certified Supervisor Counselor – Alcohol and Drug (CSC-AD): To be eligible, one must have a bachelor’s degree from a Board approved regionally accredited educational institution in a health and human services counseling field or other field deemed substantially equivalent by the Board. In addition, one must have completed specific coursework, an internship, supervised clinical experience under the supervision of a Board-approved alcohol and drug supervisor, and passed the NCAC II and the Maryland law exam. See COMAR 10.58.07.06 OR
• CSC-AD: To be eligible for certification as a CSC-AD, one must have an associate degree from a regionally accredited educational institution approved by the Board, in a health and human services counseling field or a field deemed substantially equivalent by the Board. In addition, one must have completed specific coursework, including an internship, and passed the NCAC I and the Maryland law exam. See COMAR 10.58.07.07 for complete requirements. OR
• Certified Associate Counselor – Alcohol and Drug (CAC-AD): To be eligible, one must have a bachelor’s degree from a Board approved regionally accredited educational institution in a health and human services counseling field or other field deemed substantially equivalent by the Board. In addition, one must have completed specific coursework, an internship, supervised clinical experience under the supervision of a Board-approved alcohol and drug supervisor, and passed the NCAC II and the Maryland law exam. See COMAR 10.58.07.06

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Remote

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 a correctional 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 10 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 using approved physical 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 employee’s 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 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 using approved mental/verbal de-escalation techniques.