Counselor - Medication-Assisted Treatment (Santa Cruz) at Janus of Santa Cruz – Santa Cruz, California

Join Our Mission of Compassionate Care and Cultural Enrichment!

Are you passionate about transforming lives with hope-inspiring treatment services? We are a vibrant community dedicated to compassionate care and cultural enrichment, and we are looking for a dynamic and experienced Methadone-Assisted Treatment (MAT) Counselor to join our team!

Why Join Us?

At Janus, founded in 1976, we are committed to providing exceptional treatment services in a professional and compassionate environment. As a MAT Counselor, you will play a crucial role in our Medication Assisted Treatment program within an Opioid Treatment Program (OTP) setting. Lead with compassion, collaborate with a multi-disciplinary team, facilitate engaging psycho-educational groups, and maintain meticulous clinical documentation.

What We Are:

• A Dynamic Work Environment: Thrive in a vibrant setting where your expertise will shine, and you will provide extraordinary support to our team and community.
• A Culture of Excellence: We are dedicated to hiring top talent and fostering a culture based on merit, welcoming, accepting, and valuing everyone.
• A Mission-Driven Role: Join us in our exciting mission to assist individuals and families on their journey toward wellness and recovery. Our clients’ well-being inspires everything we do.

Key Responsibilities:

• Diagnostic Assessment and Treatment Recommendations: Review diagnostic assessments and treatment recommendations for patients with opioid use disorder (OUD).
• Personalized Treatment Plans: Develop, implement, and regularly review individualized treatment plans tailored to each client’s journey, including thoughtful discharge plans.
• Service Coordination: Coordinate services with the medical department to ensure comprehensive care.
• Case Consultation: Regularly staff cases with the multi-disciplinary MAT treatment team to ensure cohesive and effective treatment strategies.
• Clinical Documentation: Complete appropriate clinical documentation within compliant policy guidelines, including maintaining meticulous records of client treatment files and mastering the use of Electronic Health Records (EHR) for timely and accurate documentation.
• Transfer and Discharge Summaries: Prepare transfer and discharge summaries to ensure smooth transitions for patients.
• Communication and Reporting: Keep your immediate supervisor updated on activities, results, and any potential issues, providing proactive recommendations for corrective actions.
• Policy Compliance: Uphold high standards by maintaining department policies and procedures in line with accreditation, licensing, and certification requirements.
• Collaboration: Foster strong relationships with area providers, state agencies, and our dedicated administrative staff to ensure seamless continuity of care and responsiveness to client needs.
• Client Orientation: Conduct engaging orientations for clients and their families, providing a comprehensive overview of our program guidelines and structure.
• Crisis Management: Be the first to alert the Program Manager to potential crises or urgent situations, ensuring swift and effective responses.
• Client Supervision: Provide compassionate supervision.
• Other Duties as Assigned: Step into a dynamic role where you’ll tackle diverse tasks, contribute to innovative projects, and continuously grow and adapt to make a meaningful impact.

Education:

• Associate degree in chemical dependency counseling, or a bachelor’s degree with coursework in chemical dependency

Licensing:

• Certification through CCAPP, CADTP or CAADE.

Experience:

• Treatment of substance abuse disorders
• Co-occurring health and mental health problems
• Familiarity with electronic health record systems like AVATAR
• Application of SAMHSA’s best practice indicators
• Drug and alcohol testing to monitor treatment plans and medical instructions

Skills:

• Excellent written and oral communication
• Exceptional interpersonal skills and a compassionate nature
• Bilingual - Spanish strongly preferred

Qualifications:

• Proficiency in any of the following platforms is preferred: Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, Apple iWork, or LibreOffice
• Strong understanding of cloud-based and standalone office suite applications
• Strong understanding of electronic health record (eHR) systems
• Ability to troubleshoot and resolve technical issues related to office suites