The ACCS Addiction Recovery Counselor promotes the full integration and functioning of Persons Served (PS) needed to live successfully in the community. Works collaboratively with PS to understand how the use of substances impacts their lives. Functions as resource to PS and other Team members on substance addiction (SA) assessment, treatment, and rehabilitation techniques and resources.

SIGN ON BONUS: $3K

The essential job duties/responsibilities of the position include but are not limited to the information listed below:

• Screens, assesses, and reassesses substance use, addiction risk and addiction treatment needs using Simple Screening Instrument for Substance Abuse (SSI-SA) and other assessments; for PS in GLEs and outreach settings. Develop formulations, and direct other Licensed staff to develop formulations that address the level of use and potential risk, current impact of substances or addictive behavior, and the PS readiness for change.

• Provide direct interventions and supports to PS by the Team with Substance misuse/addiction regardless of where they reside.

• Employ trauma informed, recovery-oriented, person-centered, culturally competent and strengths-based approaches and skills training techniques in the work.

• Provide Addictions Treatment evidence-based and best practices to all PS, including Motivational Interviewing and Stages of Change; Harm Reduction and Relapse Prevention; SSI-SA; Screening, Brief Intervention, Referral and Treatment (SBIRT); Seeking Safety, Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP), and Cognitive Behavioral interventions, as well as the development of Safety Plans and Crisis Prevention and Response Plans, and 8 Dimensions of Wellness.

• Refer PS and coordinate with Care Coordination entities to promote PS access to Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) Dual Recovery groups, and other psycho-educational services that address substance misuse/addictions and related issues (Hepatitis C, HIV/AIDs treatment) as appropriate.

• Provide Addictions Treatment psycho-educational services to PS individually and in groups.

• Participate as member of intervention team for assigned PS.

• Provide ongoing training, mentoring and modeling for Addictions Treatment evidenced-based practices to GLE SIE staff including but not limited to motivational interviewing, stages of change, harm reduction and housing first to support readiness, relapse prevention, and long-term addictions recovery for PS. 

• Perform, train, supervise, mentor, model evidenced-based clinical and recovery-oriented interventions for PS, including Motivational Interviewing; Harm Reduction and Addiction Treatment support; Screening; Brief Intervention, Referral and Treatment (SBIRT) and Seeking Safety. Perform evidenced-based interventions including Stages of Change; Wellness Recovery Action Plans (WRAP); and Cognitive Behavioral interventions.

• Provide thorough and thoughtful documentation of PS needs and services.

• Promote engagement, safe housing, community tenure, achievement of greater self-sufficiency and successful completion of service for all PS.

• Promote healthcare, employment and education services access for PS.

• Coordinate with Care Coordination Entities to ensure Persons have access to community-based acute addictions treatment, medication assisted treatment, self-help and peer support, and psychoeducational services that address addiction treatment and related issues and relapse prevention.

• Participate as member of Addiction Recovery Counselor Community of Practice Workgroup led by Clinical Directors for licensure and role-specific supervision, continuous professional role competency development, mentoring and learning.

• Receive regularly scheduled, role-based clinical supervision from Assistant Team Leader.

• Perform other related duties, as assigned.

Knowledge and Skills:

• Strong commitment to the right and ability of people served by ACCS to live, work, have meaningful relationships and receive the clinical treatment, resources and supports needed to thrive in their community of choice

• Extensive knowledge of Addiction Treatment principles and modalities, best practices and evidence-based practices, including Motivational Interviewing and Stages of Change; Harm Reduction; SSI-SA; Brief Intervention, Referral and Treatment (SBIRT); Housing First; Addiction Peer Support Services; Seeking Safety, Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP), and Cognitive Behavioral interventions; acute Addiction Treatment practices; and Medication Assisted Treatment

• Extensive knowledge of engagement strategies, and ability to build supportive, trusting relationships with PS

• Knowledge of risk management and mitigation strategies

• Knowledge of recovery-oriented, person-centered and strengths-based values and principles and modalities, empowerment and self-advocacy techniques

• Knowledge of the effects of prejudice including internalized negative attitudes about oneself, discrimination, and oppression of people with psychiatric disorders, and the effects of poverty.

• Knowledge of trauma-informed and culturally competent services

• Sensitivity to the cultural, religious, ethnic, disability and gender issues of PS

• Knowledge of human, legal, and civil rights of PS

• Knowledge of emergency services and acute care addictions systems

• Knowledge of community based mental health, health care, care coordination and other services and resources available to PS

• Knowledge of health risks of psychiatric disability and/or addictions

• Skills and competence to formulate appropriate treatment plans and train staff to perform interventions for substance misuse/addiction services

• Knowledge of formal and informal substance misuse/addictions assessment practices

• Knowledge and use of different communication and learning styles and supervisory techniques

• Knowledge of participatory and collaborative skills

• Ability to provide leadership to staff on substance misuse/addictions issues

Established in 1977, Vinfen is a nonprofit, health and human services organization and a leading provider of community-based services to individuals with mental health conditions, intellectual and developmental disabilities, brain injuries, and behavioral health challenges. Our services and advocacy promote the recovery, resiliency, habilitation, and self-determination of the people we serve. Vinfen's 3,500 dedicated employees are experienced, highly-trained professionals who provide a full range of supportive living, health, educational, and clinical services in over 550 sites throughout Massachusetts and Connecticut. For more information about Vinfen, please visit www.vinfen.org/careers.

My Job. My Community. My Vinfen.

Vinfen is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran status, or disability status.

Job Requirements:

• A high school diploma or equivalent is required; Bachelor’s degree strongly preferred.

• Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor or Certified Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselor (LADC 1, LADC II, CADC I, or CADC II) in Massachusetts required.

• Clinical experience working with people with co-occurring disorders or addictions preferred.

• Must have access to an operational and insured vehicle and be willing to use it to transport PS.

• Preference given to bilingual/bicultural applicants and applicants with lived experience of psychiatric conditions.

Driving Requirements:

Driving is a requirement for this position using either a Vinfen van or a personal vehicle. If using a personal vehicle, you must possess and maintain adequate insurance as well as maintain a safe driving record which is subject to annual checks. A valid driver's license must be presented at the time of employment. Incumbents must be at least 21 years of age, have maintained a valid US driver's license for at least six months, and must be able to pass a driver's screening background check.

Physical Effort:

Ability to stand, walk, bend, kneel, stoop, crouch, crawl, climb as this is a very physically active position. Must be able to lift at least 25 pounds using proper lifting techniques or the use of a two-person lift. Ability to operate a computer and other office equipment such as a calculator, copier, and printer. Ability to sit, reach, climb stairs, and maneuver through narrow spaces or hallways. Ability to assist PS with tasks of daily living. Ability to remain in a stationary position 50% of the time as needed. Ability to bend, reach, file, sit, stand, and move around the facility. Ability to speak, hear, and communicate with PS, staff, and external representatives. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

Additional Certifications Required:

CPR required within first two weeks of hire

First Aid required within two weeks of hire

MAP required within 150 days of hire