Substance Abuse Specialist, Pathways To Housing

Posted by on March 26, 2012

Service Coordinator – Substance Abuse Specialist

Posted on: March 12, 2012

Posted by: Pathways To Housing Inc. – PA

Position Summary: Service Coordinators are members of a modified Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) team and work together to provide recovery oriented services in a flexible, compassionate, and responsible manner to formerly homeless individuals who have psychiatric disabilities and often abuse substances. Service Coordinators maintain a primary caseload but also have a shared responsibility for all other participants on the team. The Substance Abuse Specialist has lead responsibility for integrating recovery and treatment for substance abuse issues into the work of the Team.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Collaborate with consumers in the formulation of a comprehensive service plan that is reviewed and modified with that person on a regular basis.
Provide outreach, service coordination, counseling, advocacy, and other needed services to consumers in any environment including the streets, shelters, prisons, hospitals, apartments, office, etc.
Provide individually tailored consumer driven services to each client—i.e. housing placement, independent living skills, vocational guidance, appointment escorts, integrated substance use treatment, and family counseling.
Maintain written and computerized records, compile reports and complete other program documentation (including case notes, statistics, letters, psychological evaluations, etc.).
Coordinate and monitor referrals to community services, and advocate client participation in them.
Educate, inform and advocate for consumers regarding benefits and entitlements (Social Security, Public Assistance, food stamps, etc.).
Lead groups, workshops, and in-services on topics such as substance abuse, safe sex, domestic violence, etc.
Participate in on-call rotation.
Participate in some activities outside of “normal business hours”.
Perform comprehensive substance abuse assessments of all clients.
Cross Train team members.
Facilitate educational & support groups e.g., harm reduction, relapse prevention.
Other duties as assigned.

Essential Education, Experience and Skills:

Patience, creativity, flexibility, compassion, and sensitivity to persons with disabilities and other minority populations.
Career experience in social services, supported housing, or with persons with disabilities.
Excellent communication, writing, and computer skills.
Bilingual a plus.
Valid driver’s license and clean driving record.
BA/BS, RN, in Psychology or related field, and be a Certified Addictions Counselor.

Please submit cover letter and resume to hr@pathwaystohousingpa.org