Job Summary

The New Day drug and alcohol counselor is responsible for creating an environment conducive for a healthy therapeutic relationship with the resident.  The counselor will provide substance abuse counseling and comprehensive case management service to the resident. The substance abuse counselor is responsible for gathering pertinent information, counseling, documenting progress notes, assessment, formulating treatment plans,  case management, advocacy, and follow-up.

Areas of Focus & Responsibilities

Spiritual Accountability

·        Exhibit at all times a humble spirit and express the love of Jesus Christ to all team members, including staff, ministry residents as well as volunteers.

·        Demonstratively champion the key facets of the Mission’ s enterprise vocation.

·        Exhibit integrity in all matters of ministerial and professional ethics.

·        Demonstrate authenticity and unwavering commitment to the biblical and theological principles of the Christian faith and calling.

·        Model and foster emotional and spiritual wellness among staff.

Counseling-Time Allocation: 40%

·        The counselor will screen and assess potential new clients, including their substance use and medical and mental health history.

·        The counselor will be responsible for the counselee's intake, which includes a urinalysis test, PHQ9 screening, program rules, and regulations.

·        Manage and maintain a caseload of 10-15 clients. They will manage all aspects of the caseload from the entry of clients to the date of discharge of clients.

·        Connect with counselees via Christian hospitality and create a welcoming and safe environment conducive for a healthy therapeutic relationship. Guide and assist residents in establishing and reaching God-honoring spiritual, emotional, educational, occupational, and health goals.

·        Develop and implement treatment plans to help clients overcome addition.

·        Exercise active listening skills to identify abuse triggers and suggest ways to actively conteract and overcome addictive behavior.

·        Teach clients healthy and wholesome coping mechanisms and methods to prevent relapse.

·        Utilize adverse childhood experience, trauma, anxiety, and general health assessments to determine appropriate treatment plans.

·        The counselor will develop and document individualized treatment plans that address the need of the substance abuse client.

·        The counselor will provide services to restore the client to optimum social and health adjustment.

·        Provide a minimum of one weekly counseling session with each counselee.

Administrative/Case Management: 30%

·        The counselor will complete documentation of the treatment plan and counseling notes after each counseling session. All counselee's documentation should be completed by the end of the business day.  

·        Ensure compliance with legal issues, including but not limited to client confidentiality and risk management.

·        Exhibits a high degree of courtesy, tact, and poise when interacting with clients, families, and other personnel.

·        Adjust to fluctuating peaks in client flow, understanding, and other operational demands while maintaining quality.

·        Attend weekly counselor meetings to discuss the status of the ministry residents, counseling strategies, and training material with the Manager.

·        Collaboratively work with the respective Ministry Division departmental manager and supervisor to assist the in recognizing personal limitations so as to protect personal welfare and that of the client.

·        Work in tandem with the respective Ministry Division departmental manager and supervisor to facilitate self-exploration, problem solving ability, and confidence.

·        Collaborate with the respective Ministry Division departmental manager and supervisor to asses personal well-being in order to effectively manage stressful events, role ambiguity, skill development, and skill use.

·        Effectively communicate with staff in verbal and written forms

·        Assist ministry Manager in ensuring that all policies and procedures for the Department are followed.

·        Be familiar with building safety procedures, as well as fire evacuation and hazardous weather plans as needed.

·        Assist residents in evacuation drills and emergency situations in the facility.

·        Additional tasks and responsibilities as assigned.

 Group Preparation and presentation: 20%

·        The counselor will be in charge of developing and facilitating one or two groups a day.

·        Groups will consist of ten to twenty counselees.

·        The counselor will facilitate groups focusing on Biblical and clinical perspectives of addiction. These subjects may include triggers, effects of drugs and alcohol on the body, relapse prevention, etc.

·        The counselor will assist the client and family through individual, group, family, and couples counseling sessions as needed

Continuing Education: 10%

·        Participate in continuing education to improve skills and abilities and stay abreast of current theories/practices.

·        The counselor will attend weekly training sessions with the counseling supervisor.

·        Fulfill the 40-hour requirement for Continue Education Unit's

·        Attend monthly supervision sessions with the manager of the New Day Ministry.

Job Requirements/Qualification

·        Must possess state licensure or certification in addiction counseling or work on this.

·        Team player contributes to the program's and team members' individual growth.

·        Knowledge of community resources

·        Experience working with persons in crisis.

·        Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written. Computer literate.

·        Excellent interpersonal skills that will motivate others toward achieving goals.

·        Sound Biblical judgment that demonstrates gifts of discernment, wisdom, exhortation, and evangelism.

·        Task-oriented with excellent organizational skills.

·         Work independently in a variety of settings with a culturally diverse population.

·        You must have a strong respect for confidentiality.

Preferred Qualifications

·        1-year ministry experience.

·        Previous counseling experience

·         Be Certified in the state of Illinois as C.A.D.C.

Work Environment/Physical Demand

·        Bending, keying, reaching, standing, and walking.

·        Speaking and writing clearly.

·        Accurate seeing and hearing.

·        Lifting up to 20+ lbs. and/or carrying objects up to 10+ lbs.

Job Snapshot

Employment Type:                         Full-time

Job Type:                                           Counselor

Industry:                                           Christian Nonprofit

Education:                                        State licensure or certification in Substance Abuse            

Experience:                                      2 years ministry experience

Manage Others:                              No

Requires Travel:                              No