CASAC II; 4413-605-N

at  Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens

CASAC (SUBSTANCE ABUSE SPECIALIST):

Are you looking to join a dynamic team focused on providing high quality health care to communities across Brooklyn & Queens? If so, you’ve come to the right place. For over 125 years, Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens has been providing quality social services to the neighborhoods of Brooklyn and Queens, and currently offers 160-plus programs and services for children, youth, adults, seniors, and those struggling with mental illness. Catholic Charities provides comprehensive care coordination and treatment services to individuals living with serious mental illness, complex medical needs and substance use needs. Our Queens ACT team provides an integrated set of evidence-based treatment, rehabilitation, case management, and support services delivered by a mobile, multidisciplinary mental health treatment team. ACT supports client recovery through a highly individualized approach that provides clients with the tools to obtain and maintain housing, employment, relationships and relief from symptoms and medication side effects. The CASAC II (Substance Abuse Specialist) is part of this multi-disciplinary team and is responsible for delivering intensive in-home and community-based services to individuals living with severe mental illness, whom have a treatment history characterized by frequent use of psychiatric hospitalization and emergency rooms, involvement with the criminal justice system, alcohol/substance abuse, and lack of engagement in traditional outpatient services.

SPECIFICATIONS FOR EDUCATION/CERTIFICATIONS/LICENSES

• Master’s Degree in Social Work, Psychology, or related field.
• Certified by the New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) as a Certified Substance Abuse and Alcoholism Counselor (CASAC)
• Apply for and maintain valid NPI number.

SPECIFICATIONS FOR EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING

• One year of experience and/or training in integrated mental health and substance abuse assessment and treatment, motivational interviewing techniques and stage-wise treatment.
• Knowledge of Assertive Community Treatment (ACT), community integrated treatment, support services, and resources.
• Eligible for full and unconditional participation in the Medicaid and Medicare programs.
• Knowledgeable in MAT approaches, including screenings, assessments and medication. • Excellent written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills.
• Demonstrated team experience.
• Time management, organizational, and computer skills.
• Ability to evaluate and intervene in crisis situations & available for crisis consultation.
• Bilingual Spanish/English speaking preferred.
• Knowledge of Microsoft office applications, including Excel.
• Competency in written, interpersonal, verbal and computational skills to present and document records in accordance with program standards.
  We offer competitive Salary and excellent benefits including: generous time off, Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement Savings with Agency Match, Transit, life insurance and other additional voluntary benefits. EOE/AA.
  For more information on our organization, please visit our website at: www.ccbq.or

The CASAC II will utilize a person-centered planning process to provide rehabilitation, case management and support services to individuals served by the ACT Team. The CASAC II will lead the team’s integrated dual diagnosis treatment (IDDT) with the tasks of other team members. The CASAC II will conduct assertive outreach and engagement, use motivational interviewing and stage-wise treatment interventions that target an individual’s readiness for change. Duties of the CASAC II include, but are not limited to:

• Responsible for providing direct treatment and support services to clients with psychiatric diagnoses, co-occurring substance use, chronic physical health problems and complex social needs.
• Conduct weekly visits to clients to assess health status.
• Assess and provide direct services to participants in the following areas: health and wellness, housing, income support, education, vocational training, employment and social supports, medication support. Complete the ACT Comprehensive Assessment and lead the assessment of the substance abuse related components of assessment.
• During the assessment obtains information: a) to establish the degree risk for substance use and associated harmful behaviors, and interventions required to promote progress towards recovery, and b) lead the ACT team in daily meetings and weekly clinical meetings around substance abuse issues and incorporate findings into service plans.
• Identify treatment individuals should receive based on severity of substance use diagnosis, stage of change and immediate needs; recommend treatment objectives for the individual’s service plan.
• Use motivational interviewing and stage-wise interventions to provide mental health, relapse prevention, harm reduction and substance abuse counseling.
• Provide integrated dual diagnosis treatment (IDDT) to individuals served. Conduct weekly IDDT treatment group; run substance use support and Relapse Prevention groups. • In conjunction with Psychiatrist or Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner, provide Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) options to treat substance use, prevent overdose and sustain recovery.
• Provide individual and family therapeutic support around substance use, relapse prevention, psychoeducation, and harm reduction based on motivational interviewing and cognitive behavioral responses to substance use. Direct standards for toxicology screens, along with team psychiatrist and in accordance with Assisted Outpatient Treatment (AOT) orders.
• Act as an advocate and liaison for clients in securing emergency detox and rehabilitation care, and other community supports that promote integrated substance use or dual disorder treatment.
• Monitor treatment and provide follow up visits, treatment for co-occurring substance use disorders and respond to crisis situations

The CASAC II is required to utilize technology and various web-based platforms for documenting progress notes and daily work activities. Ability to use equipment such as iPhones, tablets, Surface Pros and easily navigate various technology platforms and reporting systems is a requirement. The role will also require on call coverage and a willingness to be flexible.