Clinical Support / Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Specialist

Description

Days Off: Friday, Saturday

Shift: Day (7:30am - 4:00pm)

Insurance Benefits: Dental, Life, Long-term Disability, Medical (no premiums/payroll deductions for employee coverage)

Other Benefits:  Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Flexible Spending Account (FSA), ORCA card subsidy, Paid Time Off (34 days per year), Retirement Plan

Union Representation: This position is a part of a union and is represented by SEIU Healthcare 1199NW.

About DESC:

Recognized nationally as an innovator and leader in developing solutions to homelessness, DESC is a social services organization, supportive housing operator, and licensed behavioral health treatment provider focused on meeting the needs of people experiencing long-term homelessness and living with complex behavioral health and other medical conditions. Approximately 3,000 people are actively receiving services from DESC at any given point in time. Our vision is a community where all people are shown compassion, treated with dignity, and everyone has a safe, stable, and affordable place to call home.

DESC operates five shelter/emergency housing programs,19 permanent supportive housing facilities with over 1,750 units, several hundred additional scattered site apartments, and a range of behavioral health services including outpatient mental health and substance use disorder treatment, residential crisis stabilization, street outreach, mobile crisis response, and treatment for opioid use disorder.

JOB OVERVIEW: 

The Clinical Support / Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Specialist will work in conjunction with other project staff and case managers from DESC and outside provider organizations. 

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Develop, in collaboration with residents and outside provider case managers, a Residential Services Plan (RSP) for each resident, that details resident needs as well as treatment goals and strategies to be pursued during residency.
• Identify and coordinate those case management elements that will be provided by case managers from outside provider organizations; directly provide other needed case management services.
• Maintain regular contact with residents and case managers from outside provider organizations to monitor progress toward goals identified in the RSP, and to ensure adequate provision of identified services.
• Record progress notes in each resident’s RSP file/Chasers regularly.
• Record significant events in the daily log; read log daily.
• Help identify, assess, and locate potential tenants.
• Assist residents with the formation of therapeutic support groups, interest groups and activities; facilitate as appropriate.
• Organize outings and other activities for residents.
• Facilitate resident community meetings.
• Work with residents and other staff to identify needs for additional on-site services, groups and activities; plan for the provision of these services in conjunction with staff, residents, volunteers and other providers.
• Intervene in crises as necessary.
• Assist with building rule enforcement.
• Assist with other property management functions as assigned by the Project Manager.
• Participate in staff meetings and trainings.
• Attend weekly SUD team meetings and perform other duties requested by SUD team, including documentation of services.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Ability to perform all major and assigned duties and responsibilities with or without accommodations.
• Current Agency Affiliated Counselor (AAC) license in Washington State, or equivalent, or ability to obtain an AAC license soon after hire.
• Clinical experience working with homeless adults disabled by chronic alcoholism, mental illness, and drug use.
• Knowledge of local homeless, mental health, and chemical dependency service systems.
• Ability to communicate and work effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds.
• Ability to work effectively with clients displaying a wide range of unpleasant and/or bizarre behavior.
• Commitment to the philosophy of cooperation and continuity across agency programs and of consideration and respect for clients.

EDUCATION / EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:

1. Relevant Bachelor’s degree in social work, psychology, or related behavioral science, OR
2. A combination of 1 year* of relevant paid work experience and demonstration of the ability to perform required job duties

*Internal applicants in direct, client facing positions can substitute 6 months of experience in lieu of 1 year