Substance Use Diversion Intake Counselor

Thresholds, a national leader in mental health services, is a recipient of the Chicago Tribune “Top 100 Workplaces" for five consecutive years and a 10-time winner of Chicago’s “101 Best and Brightest Companies to Work For". Through our more than 100 Chicagoland locations and 30 innovative programs, Thresholds provides healthcare, housing, and hope for over 15,000 adults and youth.

The Substance Use Diversion Intake Counselor, working in a fast-paced police department setting, will provide screening, assessment, and linkage to appropriate levels of substance use treatment. The Intake Counselor receives referrals from police officers and associated personnel within a police department environment and performs screening, brief interventions, assessments, and linkage to substance use treatment providers, including Thresholds Substance Use Treatment Programs.

Requirements

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Respond to referrals, effectively managing volume and maintaining communication with police department staff.
• Perform brief screenings, using standardized screening tools, for the presence of potential risk behaviors related to substance use.
• Refer individuals who screen negative for the presence of risky alcohol and/or substance use (thus ineligible for treatment services) back to the police.
• Effectively engage referrals who are appropriate for treatment with Thresholds Substance Use Treatment services in completing a full assessment, including obtaining informed consent, conducting assessment interviews using standard and open-ended questions in order to properly diagnose the presence of a substance use disorder, and determining treatment needs/preferences to make treatment recommendations.
• Use knowledge of behavioral health conditions in screening and assessment of risky substance use behaviors, effectively evaluating the interplay of behavioral and substance use conditions and behaviors.
• Use clinical skills and motivational interviewing strategies to engage referral and strengthen motivation for treatment.
• Provide referrals and facilitate linkage to treatment resources appropriate for referral’s treatment needs and preferences.
• Collaborate with referral and linkage resources to effectively link referrals to needed treatment services.
• Meet required billing targets and complete all documentation within assigned time frames.
• Other duties as assigned
• The schedule is 3:30 pm-12:00 am Sunday-Thursday or Tuesday-Saturday

MARGINAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Perform and participate in follow up activities aimed to engage enrolled members in their treatment services.
• May be required to work flexible schedules and be available to work on weekends or evenings.
• May be required to be on call or carry a pager or other communication device to provide after-hours coverage.
• May be required to communicate significant information regarding members to other staff and supervisors. Provide accurate and timely information to the supervisor on all topics and issues related to the operation of the agency and the well-being of members.

EDUCATION

• Must, at a minimum, meet DASA Rule 2060 credential requirements for providing services without supervision:
  • Certification as a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor from the Illinois Alcoholism and Other Drug Abuse Professional Certification Association (IODAPCA)
  • Licensed through the Illinois Department of Financial Professional Regulation (IDFPR) as a Licensed Professional Counselor or Licensed Social Worker.
    • License or CADC eligible
• Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, Licensed Clinical Psychologist, or Licensed Clinical Social Worker is preferred.

• Dually credentialed in mental health and substance use treatment is preferred.

EXPERIENCE

• Experience working with persons diagnosed with behavioral health needs to be preferred.
• Experience working in forensic settings preferred.

SKILLS/CERTIFICATIONS

• Current and valid Driver’s License required.
• Computer proficiency, including the ability to use email, navigate and enter notes into electronic medical records and working knowledge of pertinent software.
• Strong interpersonal skills and knowledge of group dynamics.