CASAC Counselor

The CASAC Counselor, who is a CASAC certified in the State of New York, will provide client-centered individual and group substance use counseling sessions with a harm reduction approach for a diverse client population who are actively using substances. The CASAC Counselor will perform screenings, assessments, intakes counseling and care coordination.

In addition to assuming a lead role in creating a client engagement support system that reduces barriers to care, the CASAC Counselor increases accessible, available, and appropriate linkages to care for individuals using substances.

Essential Job Functions

The following duties are mandatory requirements of the job:

• Provide screenings and psychosocial assessments of potential clients and assess severity of presenting problems.
• Provide individual and group counseling and support to clients in need of substance use services.
• Develop client-centered substance use treatment plans that address individual needs, short- and long-term goals for treatment and counseling and supportive services.
• Conduct and document all services consistent with SAMHSA funding rules and regulations.
• Assist in the coordination of service transition and linkage with clients’ case managers, patient navigators, doctors, psychiatrists, counselors and other social/health care providers.
• Assist in the provision of education, risk reduction, counseling and referral services to clients regarding HIV/AIDS, STIs, and PrEP or PEP services.
• Collaborate and coordinate with other health care providers who are part of the client’s interagency care team.
• Conduct appropriate field visits at SROs, substance use treatment sites, hospital alcohol and drug detoxification sites, long-term care facilities, and related facilities to support access to GMHC for persons in the community in need of substance use treatment.

Other Responsibilities

The following duties are to be performed as assigned by the supervisor:

• Assist with special projects and perform other related duties as requested. 
• Attend program and agency meetings and/or other trainings. 
• Create a welcoming and professional environment for all volunteers and embrace the value of volunteerism at GMHC.
• Supervision of interns or volunteers as needed. 
• Provide all required documentation/statistics accurately and in a timely manner.

Education and Certification 

• Master’s Degree in behavioral health or social science field preferred (LMSW, LCSW, LMHC, MHC-LP, LCAT, LMFT); 
• and/or CASAC certification by OASAS in the State of New York

Special Skills and Knowledge

In addition to the above-listed job responsibilities and educational requirements, the ideal candidate for this position possesses most or all of the following:

• Proven experience in working with populations served  
• Knowledge of HIV/AIDS and experience working LGBT adults is required. 
• Excellent communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills along with above average writing, documentation and computer skills are essential. 
• Interpersonal capacity for empathic understanding and nonjudgmental attitude when engaging clients with substance use problems
• Knowledge of screening and assessing clients with multiple needs required
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively as part of an interdisciplinary treatment team is essential. 
• Must be a professional and responsible person who is able to develop and maintain interagency liaisons as a means of meeting clients' needs.
• Bilingual in English/Spanish preferred.

• Health insurance (medical, dental and vision plans)
• Retirement savings plans (with an excellent matching program)
• Life insurance (basic and supplemental)
• Short & long-term disability
• Textbook reimbursement
• Paid time off & holidays (12 holidays per year and 4+ weeks paid days off per year)
• Paid childcare leave
• Remote work environment
• Flexible work arrangements