Substance Use Specialist -OA533505

Description JOB SUMMARY: The Substance Use Counselor assists clients with understanding and managing substance abuse. ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS: + Conduct or review assessment information to determine the substance abuse needs and preferences of persons served; + Provide individual counseling or conduct groups that address substance abuse issues as they relate to getting and keeping a job and permanent housing; + Serve as a liaison to TORCH or other similar programs to continue any substance abuse-related plans and processes while persons served are in the SUD Clinic + Develop and maintain working relationships with alcohol and substance abuse detoxification, rehabilitation, and treatment centers. + Ensure that clients have any necessary transportation and escort to substance abuse appointments and participation. + Provide motivational interviewing to clients as needed. + Provide group and individual harm reduction counseling. + Provide cognitive-behavioral relapse prevention techniques. + Guide the use of onsite drug testing for clients whose service plans incorporate it. + For clients with mental illness and substance abuse disorders, lay the groundwork for the implementation of Integrated Dual Disorder Treatment, an evidence-based practice, upon discharge. + Promote a smoke-free environment + Monitor the availability and status of Naloxone kits, providing education to staff as to the location of the kits and ensuring that the kits are not expired. + Collaborate with the peer counselors and use linkages already developed in Brooklyn and Queens with Buprenorphine and Methadone programs and seek to expand these to other locations as needed. + Assist in the orientation of new personnel when requested. + Maintain up-to-date, accurate individual paper and electronic case records on each assigned client. + Comply with attendance and timekeeping rules and reports reliably and regularly to work on an on-going basis. + Attend regularly scheduled clinical meetings, staff meetings and supervision as well as in-service training and development activities + Execute emergency plans as outlined in the policy and procedure manual; administers CPR or first aid to staff or residents who require such services. + Obtain and maintain CPR and First Aid certifications. + Obtain and maintain certification as an OD Responder from NYS Opioid Overdose Prevention Program (NYSOOPP) staff. + Participate in management and supervision meetings. + Participate in required trainings. + Immediately reports serious incidents, allegations of abuse, incidents, or sensitive situations and completes incident reports in accordance with agency policy. + Comply and promote compliance with all applicable laws, regulations and agency policies helping to strengthen and maintain an ethical organizational culture. + May have on-call responsibilities. ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES: + Committed to the active promotion of ICL values and goals. + Basic knowledge of the causes and processes of substance abuse disorder. + Effective problem-solving skills. + Effective interpersonal skills. + Ability to work with diverse individuals. + Ability to create and compose written materials. + Ability to effectively and efficiently respond to questions from persons served. + Ability to facilitate a meeting. + Ability to present information to persons served and other employees + Ability to work with residents, families, and staff in a caring and respectful manner, and with due understanding of and consideration for cultural differences + Ability to serve as a role model to clients including modeling appropriate interpersonal interactions, appearance, demeanor + Ability to effectively use computer software + Willingness to continually learn and apply knowledge and willingness to participate in in-service training and development activities. + Ability to function as an effective team member, including performing share of work, cooperating with coworkers, and securing cooperation, and maintaining professional relationships and boundaries with co-workers, supervisors and residents + Ability to use sound judgment in identifying and solving problems and knowing when to seek assistance. + Ability to learn, understand and comply with all regulations, policies and procedures. + Ability to organize time effectively to accomplish all tasks in a timely way and meet deadlines without prompting. + Ability to develop, evaluate, implement and modify a case management plan, meeting all deadlines and productivity standards. + Ability to prepare accurate and timely documentation, reports and other written material as assigned. + Ability to be empathic, actively looking for ways to help people, to be compassionate and hopeful and to believe and help others work toward recovery. + Ability to engage in active listening, attending to what other people are saying and asking questions as appropriate + Ability to identify the nature of problems and to participate effectively in solving problems. QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE: + Minimum Education Requirements: Current CASAC plus at least 3 yearsu2019 experience providing direct services to people with alcohol and/or drug related disorders. Equivalent training and experience will be considered. + Bilingual Spanish English speaking preferred #ICLOTHER Equal Opportunity Employer This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights ( notice from the Department of Labor.

Created: 2026-01-26