Counselor I (LCDC-I)

Who is Alpharus Health?

Alpharus Health is a national nonprofit behavioral health provider dedicated to helping people build healthier lives. For nearly 60 years, we have provided substance use and mental health treatment that helps individuals, families, and communities find healing, hope, and lasting wellbeing. Our mission is simple: We help people build healthier lives. By combining clinical expertise with a person-centered approach, we help people build the skills, resilience, and support systems needed to create meaningful, lasting change. 

Why join us?

Consider joining our team, where your impact can be truly meaningful. Our organization focuses on delivering high quality clinical services as a recognized leader in evidence-based treatment proven to get results. By joining our team, you'll be working for an organization that values you and aims to be an employer of choice.  You can expect to be part of a vibrant culture that emphasizes teamwork and professional growth. When you join us, you'll discover personal and professional fulfillment by aligning your career with your values.

We are honored to offer behavioral healthcare services in Corrections

Perks of working in correctional healthcare:

• Opportunity to make a positive impact on a marginalized population
• Exposure to diverse patient demographics
• Focus on driving change, tracking progress, and improving care
• Development of skills in a unique healthcare setting

Location: 2312 Atascocita Rd. Humble, TX 77396

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm

Overview:

Under direct supervision, the Substance Use Mental Health Counselor provides support, intervention, and conflict resolution to clients undergoing substance use disorder treatment. This role encourages clients through challenging phases of recovery by facilitating basic didactic group and individual counseling sessions. The counselor also manages a caseload, maintains accurate clinical documentation, and assists with office administrative duties to support the overall treatment process. This position offers the opportunity to make a meaningful impact while advancing your professional growth through clinical supervision, continuing education credits, and tuition reimbursement.

Substance Use Counselors are responsible for:

• Assists with and provides basic didactic group counseling, including psychoeducation, drug education, and family education to ensure peer support occurs.
• Under direct supervision provides individual client counseling, educational programs and lectures to address relapse prevention, problem solving, behavior modification, anger management, etc., and to assist in overcoming substance use disorder, adjusting to pro-social life, and making cognitive and behavioral changes.
• Under direct supervision and with supervisor’s approval, carries case load, per State and contract requirements.
• Collaborates with clients to develop discharge summary and plans for supervisor’s approval to integrate aftercare treatment with referral resource services.
• Coordinates services to resolve emergency problems in crisis situations in support of continued recovery. 
• Collects and maintains treatment records and reports to ensure organizational, regulatory, accreditation, and contractual compliance.
• Performs office administrative duties, such as answering telephones; relaying messages; responding to inquiries regarding program services and policies; filing, photocopying and faxing documents; planning special events, assembling intake packets, etc.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimimum Education and Experience:

• Associates Degree in Counseling, Social Work, Criminal Justice or a related field; Bachelor's Degree Preferred
• Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor Intern (LCDC-I) required
• Some experience in a forensic counseling setting or with substance abuse preferred

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 

• Basic knowledge of the principles of human growth and psychosocial development
• Basic knowledge of group and individual dynamics, conflict resolution and intervention techniques based on client maturation level
• Basic understanding of mental health disorders requiring referrals
• Basic communication skills to exchange information and interact with various internal and external audiences regarding client care
• Active listening skills and social perceptiveness
• Ability to read and interpret policies and instructions
• Ability to understand side effects and impact of medications on client
• Adaptability / flexibility: ability to shift priorities

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to read, write, and understand and follow written instructions
• Ability to use a keyboard and video display terminal to receive, retrieve, and/or audit information and  data
• Ability to record, proofread and check documents and files for accuracy
• Ability to respond to telephones, and to hear and detect alarms and unusual noises
• Ability to walk and move about the facilities for up to two hours at a time, to monitor and interact with clients
   

Work Environment:

• Working with our adult nonviolent clients in a controlled and structured setting for residential treatment

Compensation (based on experience and credentials):

• $20.00 per hour
• Alpharus Health conducts annual reviews including merit increases.

Benefits at Apharus Health:

Health and Wellness:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees and dependents
• Employee wellness program promoting health and fitness and offering cash-saving premiums
• Employee assistance programs focused on mental health

Financial Wellbeing:

• 403(b) Retirement Plan with 3% employer match 
• Short-term and Long-term Disability and Life and AD&D Insurance paid for by Alpharus
• Flexible Spending Accounts for medical and dependent care
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) 

Flexibility and Time Off:

• 18 paid time off days per year – accrual rates increase with years of service
• 9 paid company holidays
• Work-life-balance

Personal Development:

• Training & Development Programs
• Tuition Reimbursement - up to $5,250 per calendar year
• eLearning access to online courses that provide CEU’s and job-related training
• Clinical Supervision: Formal and informal guidance

Alpharus Health is an Equal Opportunity Employer: Race/Color/Sex/Sexual Orientation/ Gender Identity/Religion/National Origin/Disability/Vets. Please view Equal Employment Opportunity Posters provided by OFCCP here.