Substance Abuse Counselor III in Wichita Falls, TX

Description

Join the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) and be part of a team committed to creating a positive impact in the lives of fellow Texans. At HHSC, your contributions matter, and we support you at each stage of your life and work journey. Our comprehensive benefits package includes 100% paid employee health insurance for full-time eligible employees, a defined benefit pension plan, generous time off benefits, numerous opportunities for career advancement and more. Explore more details on the Benefits of Working at HHS webpage.

 

Functional Title: Substance Abuse Counselor III 

Job Title: Substance Abuse Counselor III 

Agency: Health & Human Services Comm 

Department: Residential Care Supervisor J 

Posting Number: 5105 

Closing Date: 05/30/2025 

Posting Audience: Internal and External 

Occupational Category: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical 

Salary Group: TEXAS-B-18 

Salary Range: $4,450.00 - $5,921.25 

Shift: Day 

Additional Shift:  

Telework: Not Eligible for Telework 

Travel: Up to 15% 

Regular/Temporary: Regular 

Full Time/Part Time: Full time 

FLSA Exempt/Non-Exempt: Nonexempt 

Facility Location: North Texas State Hospital - Wichita Falls 

Job Location City: WICHITA FALLS 

Job Location Address: 6515 KEMP BLVD 

 Other Locations:    

 MOS Codes: 

0149,42SX,4C0X1,66R,68X,73A,HM 

 

 

 

 

 

Brief Job Description:

 

Would you thrive in an environment where you learn and grow personally and professionally all while helping make a positive impact on people's lives? Do you appreciate being around others like yourself who are dependable, trustworthy, hard workers who believe in the value of teamwork? HSCS is dedicated to building an atmosphere where employees feel valued and supported while providing specialized care for Texans in need. HSCS is comprised of nine psychiatric hospitals, one youth residential treatment facility, and thirteen state supported living centers. The psychiatric hospitals are a hub of excellence for forensic mental health and complex psychiatric care, with all facilities accredited by The Joint Commission. They provide state-of-the-art treatment that is recovery-oriented and science-based. If providing hope and healing through compassionate, innovative, and individualized care interests you, we welcome your application for the position below.

 

 

The Substance Use Counselor III works under the immediate supervision of the Program Director and the Coordinator of Co-Occurring Psychiatric and Substance Disorders Services, this position has two major functions, which encompasses duties related to each of these areas. This position plans and coordinates specialized substance abuse and COPSD services based on the needs of the population served. Work duties include: 1)supervision to Counselor Interns, 2)scheduling of services provided, with the Program QIT, 3)competency monitoring and evaluation of employees, 4)timely position descriptions and evaluations, 5)orientation of staff to policies and procedures, 6)keeping current on the Joint Commission Standards and DSHS Licensure Regulations and provides discipline representation to ensure that these standards and regulations are in compliance, 7)conducts and participates in in-service training, 8)participation in Drug Free Awareness Week activities, and 9)maintains competencies as described in the Policy and Procedure manual. Acts in the absence of the Program Director and the Coordinator of Co-Occurring Psychiatric and Substance Disorders Services. Provides Substance Use/COPSD services for patients who have a history of substance use and mental illness. Works with the Treatment Teams to assess the patients' needs and writes objectives and progress notes.  Because of the diverse group of patients served, objectives and progress notes shall be tailored to the specific population: age, gender and culture of same to ensure relevant treatment strategies. Conducts Substance Use/COPSD groups to patients and attends other programmatic groups. Licensure as a Chemical Dependency Counselor by DSHS Substance Abuse Division.  Must be knowledgeable of Co-Occurring Psychiatric and Substance Disorders and demonstrate the ability to perform COPSD Cognitive, Technical and Interpersonal competencies.

 

Performs other duties as assigned. Other duties as assigned include but are not limited to actively participating and/or serving in a supporting role to meet the agency's obligations for disaster response and/or recovery or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation. Such participation may require an alternate shift pattern assignment and/or location.

 

 

Essential Job Functions (EJFs):

 

Attends work on a regular basis and may be required to work a specific shift schedule or, at times, even a rotating schedule, extended shift and/or overtime in accordance with agency leave policy and performs other duties as assigned.

 

Facilitate Substance Use/COPSD group counseling and support groups while utilizing modalities which enhance the patient's awareness of addiction, psychiatric illness and recovery in order to increase patient's knowledge and skills.

 

Develop patient objectives and communicate them to the treatment team to enter into the Recovery Plan. Record progress of group activities in RadPlus.

 

Complete and finalize COPSD assessments on SSRP patients as requested. Assessment process will be completed within 7 days of admission, or within 7 days of being notified of the physician's order for COPSD assessment.

 

Supervises the facilitation of substance use support groups for patients. May also facilitate assigned support groups and community speaking events.

 

Perform Treatment Team, QIT, and Substance Abuse Discipline responsibilities by completing all duties assigned as part of the treatment team, the Quality Improvement Team (QIT) and the Substance Abuse discipline meetings.  This includes meeting attendance and any in-services assigned.

 

Provide clinical and administrative supervision to assigned Substance Use Counselors in order to ensure a constant line of communication exists and insure that patients are receiving appropriate substance use services from Substance Use Counselors.  Follows all requirements of supervisors that is in the HR Manual or NTSH Policy.

 

Initiate, plan, organize, and facilitate special activities such as Drug Free Awareness Week, hospital and community related functions requiring the representation of the Department to provide education about Substance Use in accordance with guidance from the Coordinator of Substance Abuse Services.

 

Performs other duties as assigned. Other duties as assigned include but are not limited to actively participating and/or serving in a supporting role to meet the agency's obligations for disaster response and/or recovery or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation. Such participation may require an alternate shift pattern assignment and/or location.

 

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs):

 

KNOWLEDGE OF:

• Chemical dependency and alcoholism
• Addiction
• Co-dependency and related disorders
• Counseling techniques
• Recovery processes
• Laws and regulations regarding the treatment of substance use

 

SKILLS IN:

• Interviewing
• Listening
• Counseling clients
• The operation of computers and applicable computer software

 

ABILITY TO:

• Screen and evaluate clients
• Counsel and instruct clients
• Prepare reports
• Plan, develop and implement chemical dependency treatment programs
• Communicate effectively
• Assign and/or supervise the work of others

 

Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications:

 

Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor (LCDC) through the Texas Department of State Health Services.

 

Initial Screening Criteria:

 

Licensed Professional Counselor OR

 

Bachelor's degree and one year experience OR

 

Associate degree and two years of experience OR

 

No degree and at least four years of experience

 

License Chemical Dependency Counselor.

 

Additional Information:

 

Applicants must pass a fingerprint criminal background check, pre-employment drug screen, and registry checks including the Client Abuse/Neglect Reporting System (CANRS), Nurse Aid, Medication Aide and Employee Misconduct, List of Excluded Individuals/Entities (LEIE). Males between the ages of 18-25 must be registered with the Selective Service.

 

All applicants must be at least 18 years of age to be considered for employment at a state-operated facility. Waco Center for Youth applicants must be 21 years of age.

 

Flexibility in work hours may be required for this position. The position may be required to work overtime and/or extended hours.

 

Compliance with HHSC immunization policy and state hospital operating procedures related to immunizations is required. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, healthcare workers are at significant risk for acquiring or transmitting hepatitis B, measles, mumps, rubella, varicella (chicken pox), tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough), and influenza. All these diseases are vaccine preventable. Vaccines may be provided. As a result, state hospital policy requires employees be vaccinated according to their level of contact with individuals. In the event you choose to not be immunized for the influenza virus, you may be required to wear a mask and take other protective measures.

Review our Tips for Success when applying for jobs at DFPS, DSHS and HHSC.

 

Active Duty, Military, Reservists, Guardsmen, and Veterans:

Military occupation(s) that relate to the initial selection criteria and registration or licensure requirements for this position may include, but not limited to those listed in this posting. All active-duty military, reservists, guardsmen, and veterans are encouraged to apply if qualified to fill this position. For more information please see the Texas State Auditor's Job Descriptions, Military Crosswalk and Military Crosswalk Guide at Texas State Auditor's Office - Job Descriptions.

 

ADA Accommodations:

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), HHSC and DSHS agencies will provide reasonable accommodation during the hiring and selection process for qualified individuals with a disability. If you need assistance completing the on-line application, contact the HHS Employee Service Center at 1-888-894-4747. If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodation to participate in the interview process, please notify the person scheduling the interview.

 

Pre-Employment Checks and Work Eligibility:

Depending on the program area and position requirements, applicants selected for hire may be required to pass background and other due diligence checks.

 

HHSC uses E-Verify. You must bring your I-9 documentation with you on your first day of work. Download the I-9 Form

Telework Disclaimer:

This position may be eligible for telework.  Please note, all HHS positions are subject to state and agency telework policies in addition to the discretion of the direct supervisor and business needs.

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