Substance Use Disorder Counselor Lead
Substance Use Disorder Counselor Lead
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Job Description
Compensation
Non-exempt/Hourly
New hires are placed on our starting wage scale of $34.13-$41.11 per hour
Based on performance there is room to grow on our full wage scale of $34.13-$48.13 per year
Work Schedule:
Full-time Monday-Friday
Who We Are
Unity Care NW is a private non-profit federally qualified health center (FQHC) that has been proudly and successfully serving the greater Whatcom County area since 1982. With clinics located in Bellingham & Ferndale we offer comprehensive primary medical behavioral health and dental care as well as pharmacy services to a diverse and often underserved patient population of all ages. Employing almost 300 caring and compassionate employees our mission is to increase the years of healthy life in the people & communities we serve.
What We Value
- Respect
- Integrity
- Accountability
- Collaboration
- Innovation
We have an inclusive culture and strive to demonstrate our Values in Action in all that we do. We value each individual on our team and aim to onboard a diverse workforce of the very best talent whose ambitions and values align with ours.
Job Summary
We believe mental & emotional health is an important part of overall health and wellness. Our behavioral health providers work closely with patients and their Primary Care Providers to help them meet their health care goals. As the Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Counselor Lead you would provide comprehensive SUD counseling while providing leadership and program development support in a multi-specialty community health center. Duties include:
1. Provides leadership and direction to assigned employees:
a. Assigns tasks and schedules activities for employees coordinated with program management.
b. Reviews progress of work and offers suggestions/direction for task completion.
c. Provides training and assistance in the techniques/practices of tasks.
d. Leads group discussions problem solving and project activities.
e. Provides feedback to supervisor/manager concerning employee performance
2. Diagnoses Patients:
a. Assesses patients referred to Substance Use Disorder treatment (SUD) program to determine the patients diagnosis utilizing Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5 or DSM-5TR) Diagnostic criteria.
b. Assesses patients referred to SUD program to determine the patients level of care need utilizing American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) criteria.
3. Treats Patients:
a. Sees patients for substance use disorders found within the DSM-5 as referred by the Primary Care Providers PCBH/SBH therapists Psychiatric team and Case Managers.
b. Coordinates treatment plans related to management of substance use disorders with other treatment providers.
c. Directs patients to appropriate additional services including psychiatry mental health counseling and case management or higher levels of care in addiction treatment such as detoxification services or residential treatment.
d. Communicates and coordinates the transfer or cessation of care with other internal stakeholders.
e. Willingness to perform observed urinary drug screens as dictated by client need.
4. Provides Substance Use Disorder program development support to BH Supervisors and the BH Director:
a. Develops or revises program procedures and workflows.
b. Assesses new opportunities for program expansion or revisions in response to UCNW patient need and community need.
c. Reviews pertinent Washington State regulations and administrative rules to ensure program compliance and to assess their impact on expansion opportunities.
d. Represents Substance Use Disorder services in interdepartmental meetings.
e. Represents UCNW Substance Use Disorder services in community meetings.
f. Assists in evaluating funding opportunities for Substance Use Disorder Services.
g. Suggests novel approaches to assessing program effectiveness.
5. Provides Consultation and Education to Patients and Necessary Stakeholders:
a. Provide consultation and input related to the ongoing care to other internal providers external providers parents and caregivers teachers and other necessary stakeholders.
What We Offer
- A friendly team-based environment
- Clinical supervision
- A competitive compensation package
- A salaried position without the overhead and cost of running a private practice
- Outpatient only with no call schedule
- In-house case management
- Malpractice insurance with tail coverage through the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA)
Generous benefits including:
- Medical dental & vision insurance
- 401(k) retirement plan with employer match after 1 year of eligibility
- 6 paid holidays
- Generous paid time off of 108 hours accrued in Year 1 gradually increasing to 196 hours per year over 10 years
- Paid sick leave
- Other paid leaves for Bereavement Jury Duty & Bone Marrow/Organ Donation
- Life/AD&D insurance
- Variety of optional insurances including Supplementary Life/AD&D Short Term and Long Term Disability Critical Illness Accident and Travel as well as Identity Theft Protection
- Flexible Spending Account
- Employee Assistance Program
- Alternative transportation incentives
- Healthy Living reimbursement
- Unique programs including Medical Hardship Payroll Loans Employee Referral Bonus Will preparation services & a gym discount
- Continuing Education
- Reimbursement of renewal fees for your WA State license
- Employment at UCNW counts towards eligibility for Public Service Loan Forgiveness details can be viewed at Federal Student Aid
- Washington State Substance Use Disorder Professional (SUDP) certification or be eligible to receive one
- Associate degree in human services or related field or successful completion of 90 quarter or 60 semester college credits in courses from an approved school see WAC(9). At least 45 quarter or 30 semester credits must be in courses relating to the substance use disorder profession and must include the topics listed in WAC.
- Possesses a full understanding of all aspects of the profession
- Certification in supervision of addiction counseling or be eligible to obtain one
- Skilled in using Microsoft Word Excel PowerPoint & Outlook as well as the ability to learn other systems used at UCNW for Electronic Medical Records scheduling HR/payroll training instant messaging attending virtual meetings and performing telehealth visits
- Keyboarding speed of 30 words per minute (wpm) with accuracy
Preferred Qualifications
- Ability to communicate bilingually in Spanish or Russian.
Qualified candidates who have applicable experience or similar qualifications are encouraged to apply!
About Bellingham
Live in a community consistently rated as one of the most desirable in the USA! Nestled on Bellingham Bay at the foot of the Cascade Mountains just a short distance from Seattle Vancouver BC and the San Juan Islands Bellingham is home to over 90000 people and surrounded by several charming small towns. Enjoy all the area has to offer:
Recreational & Outdoor Activities (Hiking Biking Skiing Snow Boarding Fishing Sailing Kayaking & Camping)
Excellent Schools (University Community College Technical School & Outstanding K-12 Educational System)
Small Town or City Living (Unique Shops Local Festivals Farmers Markets Berry Picking & Community Events)
Cultural Activities (Theater Music Independent Films Museums Art Studios & Diverse Local Restaurants)
To Apply
Visit our Careers Page at or contact Vicki Curtis Provider Recruiter at or . For news on our organization & future job postings please follow us on LinkedIn at Care NW has an Employee Health Program for the safety of our patients and staff. The program requires all new employees to have up to date vaccines for Covid-19 and influenza. More information about this program is provided throughout the recruitment process.
Employment Type
Full-Time
