Substance Abuse Counselor Behavioral Health Bridge Housing (BHBH)

Company Description

Background

Since 1976, St. Joseph Center has been meeting the needs of low-income and homeless individuals and families in Venice, Santa Monica, Mar Vista, and surrounding communities.  The Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit community organization that assists people without regard for religious affiliation or lack thereof through comprehensive case management and integrated social service programs.  The Center enjoys broad-based community support as well as a sponsored relationship with its founders, the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet.  St. Joseph Center serves approximately 6,000 individuals annually.

Brief Description of Principal Activities

Multifaceted intervention, prevention, and education services are carried out at four sites on the Westside of Los Angeles.  St. Joseph Center’s integrated programs provide clients with concentrated and coordinated access to services according to the nature of their needs.

Job Description

Job Summary

In partnership with the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health through the Behavioral Health Bridge Housing (BHBH) Program, St. Joseph Center will provide interim housing opportunities designed to meet the immediate needs of individuals experiencing homelessness who are living with behavioral health conditions and/or substance use disorders. The BHBH Program offers a safe, private, and secure environment where participants are empowered to stabilize, build self-sufficiency, and transition from homelessness to permanent housing.

Under the supervision of the Program Manager, the Substance Abuse Disorder (SUD) Counselor provides direct client support as part of a multidisciplinary team. In collaboration with social service professionals, the SUD counselor emphasizes harm reduction, trauma-informed care, and client-centered support to promote recovery and stability. The SUD Counselor helps clients overcome barriers to care, achieve greater stability, and ultimately secure and maintain permanent housing.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

The Substance Abuse Counselor’s key areas of responsibility include: 

Key Areas of Responsibility:

• Implement case management service plan goals emphasizing coordinated strategies for addressing substance abuse issues, relapse prevention, and any other risk factors that could impede client’s functioning.
• Provide ongoing assessment of client progress in attaining goals.
• Utilize a harm reduction, trauma informed cared, and client-centered support when working with clients.

Essential Duties:

• Develop individualized support plans in collaboration with the client and care team.
• Provide ongoing case management services and relapse prevention planning tailored to each client’s stage of recovery; 1:1 client meetings should take place at least once per week to monitor progress, adjust treatment goals, and maintain engagement in services.
• Collaborate regularly and participate in internal case conferencing meetings to ensure holistic, integrated care.
• Coordinate referrals to detox, residential treatment programs, outpatient services, and other community resources
• Provide linkage to meaningful community activities to help decrease social isolation and prevent relapse risks.
• Respond to urgent requests for assistance from clients as needed.
• Perform daily follow-ups and wellness checks on clients engaged in SUD services.
• Participate in all meetings with collaborative agencies and other community meetings as directed.
• Cultivate relationships with substance abuse treatment providers in the service area.
• Must be able to operate a motor vehicle to perform the essential functions of the position, which includes transporting clients in company vehicles.

Other duties and responsibilities may be assigned. The duties and responsibilities listed are designed to provide typical examples of the work performed; not all duties and responsibilities assigned are included here, nor is it expected that all similar positions will be assigned every duty and responsibility.

Qualifications

Job Summary

In partnership with the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health through the Behavioral Health Bridge Housing (BHBH) Program, St. Joseph Center will provide interim housing opportunities designed to meet the immediate needs of individuals experiencing homelessness who are living with behavioral health conditions and/or substance use disorders. The BHBH Program offers a safe, private, and secure environment where participants are empowered to stabilize, build self-sufficiency, and transition from homelessness to permanent housing.

Under the supervision of the Program Manager, the Substance Abuse Disorder (SUD) Counselor provides direct client support as part of a multidisciplinary team. In collaboration with social service professionals, the SUD counselor emphasizes harm reduction, trauma-informed care, and client-centered support to promote recovery and stability. The SUD Counselor helps clients overcome barriers to care, achieve greater stability, and ultimately secure and maintain permanent housing.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

The Substance Abuse Counselor’s key areas of responsibility include: 

Key Areas of Responsibility:

• Implement case management service plan goals emphasizing coordinated strategies for addressing substance abuse issues, relapse prevention, and any other risk factors that could impede client’s functioning.
• Provide ongoing assessment of client progress in attaining goals.
• Utilize a harm reduction, trauma informed cared, and client-centered support when working with clients.

Essential Duties:

• Develop individualized support plans in collaboration with the client and care team.
• Provide ongoing case management services and relapse prevention planning tailored to each client’s stage of recovery; 1:1 client meetings should take place at least once per week to monitor progress, adjust treatment goals, and maintain engagement in services.
• Collaborate regularly and participate in internal case conferencing meetings to ensure holistic, integrated care.
• Coordinate referrals to detox, residential treatment programs, outpatient services, and other community resources
• Provide linkage to meaningful community activities to help decrease social isolation and prevent relapse risks.
• Respond to urgent requests for assistance from clients as needed.
• Perform daily follow-ups and wellness checks on clients engaged in SUD services.
• Participate in all meetings with collaborative agencies and other community meetings as directed.
• Cultivate relationships with substance abuse treatment providers in the service area.
• Must be able to operate a motor vehicle to perform the essential functions of the position, which includes transporting clients in company vehicles.

Other duties and responsibilities may be assigned. The duties and responsibilities listed are designed to provide typical examples of the work performed; not all duties and responsibilities assigned are included here, nor is it expected that all similar positions will be assigned every duty and responsibility.

Additional Information

 Status: Full time/Exempt

Salary: DOE

Employment with St. Joseph Center is contingent on completion of satisfactory background check.

For consideration, please submit cover letter and resume. St. Joseph Center is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran. All applicants for employment are invited to voluntarily self-identify their gender, race, ethnicity, and veteran status, by completing the EEO Information. Providing your EEO Information is voluntary and refusal to self-identify will not subject applicants to any adverse treatment. Similarly, applicants who do self-identify will not be subject to any adverse treatment based on the information they provide.

St. Joseph center invites you to review the current "EEO is The Law" poster as part of the application process. A link to the current poster is located here.

 https://www.dol.gov/ofccp/regs/compliance/posters/pdf/eeopost.pdf