Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselors
Tasks
Core Tasks Include:
- Counsel clients or patients, individually or in group sessions, to assist in overcoming dependencies, adjusting to life, or making changes.
- Complete and maintain accurate records or reports regarding the patients' histories and progress, services provided, or other required information.
- Develop client treatment plans based on research, clinical experience, and client histories.
- Review and evaluate clients' progress in relation to measurable goals described in treatment and care plans.
- Interview clients, review records, and confer with other professionals to evaluate individuals' mental and physical condition and to determine their suitability for participation in a specific program.
- Intervene as an advocate for clients or patients to resolve emergency problems in crisis situations.
- Provide clients or family members with information about addiction issues and about available services or programs, making appropriate referrals when necessary.
- Modify treatment plans to comply with changes in client status.
- Coordinate counseling efforts with mental health professionals or other health professionals, such as doctors, nurses, or social workers.
- Attend training sessions to increase knowledge and skills.
- Plan or implement follow-up or aftercare programs for clients to be discharged from treatment programs.
- Conduct chemical dependency program orientation sessions.
- Counsel family members to assist them in understanding, dealing with, and supporting clients or patients.
- Participate in case conferences or staff meetings.
- Act as liaisons between clients and medical staff.
- Coordinate activities with courts, probation officers, community services, or other post-treatment agencies.
- Confer with family members or others close to clients to keep them informed of treatment planning and progress.
- Instruct others in program methods, procedures, or functions.
- Follow progress of discharged patients to determine effectiveness of treatments.
- Develop, implement, or evaluate public education, prevention, or health promotion programs, working in collaboration with organizations, institutions, or communities.
- Assess individuals' degree of drug dependency by collecting and analyzing urine samples.
- Train or supervise student interns or new staff members.
Supplemental Tasks Include:
- Supervise or direct other workers providing services to clients or patients.
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™. (Using onet28)
