This is advanced professional client counseling work in providing health and other support services to clients in a county outpatient substance abuse treatment clinic.

Employees in this class are responsible for performing client counseling in medication free outpatient clinics offering in-depth counseling service. Emphasis of the work is on counseling with clients who have dependency on alcohol or drugs and have serious rehabilitation or multiple problems where treatment requires advanced counseling skills. Incumbents treat clients individually or in groups, utilizing various therapeutic techniques designed to effect behavior modification. Clients frequently require longer term treatment which includes related supportive services and after-care follow up. Employees also counsel frequently with family members in order to provide understanding of client problems and advise on methods of family support in rehabilitation. Duties require exercise of considerable knowledge of professional theories and principles of behavior modification, and a high degree of counseling skill. Considerable professional judgment is also exercised in evaluation of client progress and planning of treatment. Incumbents guide Health Service Counselors in treating clients as well as in planning to effect better progress in rehabilitation, and provide in-service training in therapeutic techniques, as assigned. General supervision is received from an administrative or professional superior who evaluates quality of results in treatment planning and client rehabilitation.

ILLUSTRATIVE TASKS

Initially interviews clients assigned and identifies their problems; completes initial and subsequent in-depth assessments of a psycho-social nature.

Maintains an active caseload of clients who exhibit multiple problems or problems of a severe nature; develops and revises treatment plans; makes appointments for counseling sessions and utilizes various therapeutic techniques to effect behavioral change.

Plans group counseling sessions and various therapeutic techniques which will be used; insures the scheduling of clients in group sessions; leads groups, noting and evaluating client reactions and responses.

Prepares comprehensive case progress notes in behavioral terms as a results of individual and group counseling; continually evaluates participant progress and the effectiveness of treatment methods being used.

Counsels family members individually or in groups as to behavioral and environmental problems of clients and the place of the family in providing support in rehabilitation; utilizes therapeutic techniques in joint discussions with clients and family members.

Recommends termination of client treatment; provides subsequent after-care consultation and guidance by interview or telephone contact; refers clients to various sources of social service or vocational assistance.

Confers with staff Clinical Psychologists or Psychiatrists on the need for referral of clients requiring further in-depth counseling; refers clients exhibiting psychotic tendencies to sources of medical assistance for diagnosis and treatment.

Participates in case conferences with superior and other staff members to discuss client cases; conducts in-service training sessions in the meaning and use of various therapeutic techniques in client treatment.

Performs related work as required.

KNOWLEDGES, ABILITIES AND SKILLS

Thorough knowledge of departmental policies, goals and objectives in the treatment and rehabilitation of clients.

Thorough knowledge of professional theories, principles and practices of behavior modification.

Considerable knowledge of various therapeutic techniques used in behavior modification counseling.

Considerable knowledge of regulations, procedures and practices of the substance abuse program to which assigned.

Considerable knowledge of substance abuse habits and practices of clients.

Considerable knowledge of the programs of local public and private substance abuse rehabilitation and social service agencies.

Ability to achieve necessary rapport with clients in a therapeutic relationship.

Ability to identify various client problems, including problems of a complex nature.

Ability to counsel clients and their family members with necessary skill to achieve client rehabilitation.

Ability to utilize a variety of therapeutic techniques effectively in client treatment.

Ability to develop treatment plans designed to assist clients requiring in-depth assessment and evaluation.

Ability to assess client progress and modify treatment planning accordingly.

Ability to maintain effective relationships with other professional staff members providing psychological or medical assistance.

Ability to maintain confidentiality of client information.

Ability to prepare comprehensive case records in behavioral terms.

Ability to communicate clearly, concisely and persuasively, orally and in writing.

NEW 10-78