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• INCREASED PAY as of 12/1/23
• Monday-Friday
• 12 Paid Holidays each year (in addition to time off accrual).
• Great Benefits!
• 5% Salary increase upon 90 days in role.
• Starting rate of pay based on experience doing a similar role.
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GULF COAST CENTER - JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Title: COPSD Specialist LCDC

Location: Office in Galveston, TX. Works in Galveston County. Spends majority of time in the field.

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Working Status: Full Time with Benefits

Summary:

The COPSD Specialist will provide services to assist and support the client in developing skills to gain access to services that provide medical, social, educational and other services essential to meeting basic human needs and assist with coordination of individuals with active psychiatric and substance use disorders who require crisis resolution and/or specialized support in treatment due to non-responsiveness with substance use or mental health services resulting from symptomatic worsening and/or disruptive behavior. The COPSD Specialist will work with both the Recovery and Mental Health programs to ensure that clients are receiving integrated treatment and connecting to resources within the community to promote stability and recovery.

Gulf Coast Center is committed to fostering an open, inclusive, and supportive environment that welcomes and embraces diversity in all forms. Gulf Coast Center defines diversity broadly including, but not limited to, race, ethnicity, abilities (mental/physical), gender, gender identity, immigrant status, language, religion, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, veteran status, and age. Gulf Coast Center embraces trauma sensitive and informed practices, provides suicide safer care, and fosters a safe and compassionate environment that promotes racial and health equity.

Job Duties: (To be performed with or without accommodation as based on ADA requirements)

The COPSD Specialist LCDCwill be responsible for the following:

Essential Job Duties:

• Provide initial Substance Use screening to determine priority population by conducting an intake interview and appropriate assessment to gather required information. 
• Provides weekly individual counseling to clients enrolled in the COPSD program, identifying any progress, and providing any required documentation to the appropriate referral source. 
• Facilitates individual counseling services for clients who have been assigned to their caseload, documenting all direct services in CMBHS and/or Smartcare as appropriate. 
• Conducts random drug screenings from clients to assess progress or regression in their treatment experience to establish a baseline during treatment. 
• Must be able to work independently and organize work effectively using time management tools. 
• Coordinates with Patient Services Specialist for completion of financial screenings. 
• Coordinates with Eligibility Advisor for completion of benefits screening & Medicaid application where applicable 
• Develops person-centered treatment plans based on patient's needs and preferences. 
• Presents patient cases to prescribers. 
• Makes appropriate referrals to community and Center services. 
• Works collaboratively with the COPSD, Substance Use, and Mental Health staff in order to identify needs within the community. 
• Works collaboratively with Substance Use residential programs to link individuals to outpatient treatment as appropriate. 
• Connects the client to resources that are needed in order to promote stability and identify resources that can assist the client in meeting basic human needs. 
• Works as a liaison between the Recovery Program and Mental Health program, connecting clients to community agencies and additional resources. 
• Identifies barriers to service and takes measures to appropriately overcome them. 
• Maintains communication with other service providers, coordinates recovery plan revisions as necessary. 
• Monitors client progress in relation to treatment plan 
• Maintains contact with client; communicates client's progress with other team members; documents progress toward treatment plan; communicates with client and other resulting in amelioration of crisis. 
• Utilizes clinically sound judgment in developing relationships with client and service providers. 
• Decision making reflects knowledge of current trends in mental health and substance use services. 
• All documentation is accurate, complete, and clear as required by the Center and/or State's procedures; progress notes are completed within specified time frames. Documentation will be in either Smart care and/or CMBHS 
• Participates in staffing sessions with both Recovery Program and Mental Health as a member of the clinical team. 
• Attend all mandatory Center trainings in accordance with Center policy. 
• Will be responsible and accountable for the adherence to and promotion of the agency compliance policy and will require communication with various departments to foster, develop and continue our community partnerships as it relates to the position.
• Treat all individuals with the utmost courtesy, decency, and respect.
• Provide responsive, and efficient services.
• Interact with staff, consumers, local entities, and advocacy groups to provide a service that meets local needs.
• Provide highest level of Customer Service for both internal and external customers.
• Required to report personnel leave; flex time and emergency leave to assigned supervisor.
• Strict adherence to the professional, ethical, and legal requirements set forth in GCC's Business Code of Conduct as well as the Corporate Compliance Plan.
• Consistent adherence to the Center's Dress Code.
• Consistent adherence to Center safety guidelines and expectations.
• May be required to travel within Brazoria and Galveston Counties.
• Out of region travel may be required to attend trainings.
• Must maintain a clear driving record and driver's license in accordance with our Driver Policy.
• Requires current Texas Driver's License, reliable transportation and must maintain current auto liability insurance.

Supervision:

• Receives direct supervision from Program Manager Recovery & OSAR

Required Licensure/Certifications:

• LCDC License required  OR
  
• LCDC-I CI that has passed the test and/or completed 2,000 hours.
  

Required Experience:

• Experience in substance use setting. 

Preferred Experience:

• Direct care experience preferred. 
• Experience working with youth.
  

Abilities/Traits:

• Demonstrate competence in crisis prevention and management and knowledge of substance use and treatment procedures. 
• Ability to tailor COPSD services with Stages of Change applications.
• Knowledge of DSM-V diagnostic criteria for major psychiatric and substance use disorders and the relationship between them.
• Basic knowledge of pharmacology as it relates to individuals with co-occurring disorders.
• Basic knowledge of mental illness and addiction.
• Basic understanding of motivational interviewing techniques.
• Preferred but not required: Knowledge of CMBHS; and experience documenting in an electronic health record. 
• Must be able to be non-judgmental of clients, develop productive relationships with the diverse client population, and have good interpersonal communication and teaching skills with the diverse client population. 
• Ability to express self clearly and effectively, orally and in writing.
• Requires ability to work within a team approach.
• Requires proficiency with computer skills, programs, and email.

Working Conditions:

• Work will be performed in the Office, Field and/or Remote setting(s).
• May require varied work hours depending on need of clients.
• Out of region travel may be required to attend trainings.
• May require travel to various locations within Brazoria and Galveston Counties.
• Requires current Texas Driver's License, reliable transportation safe and current with all state requirements, and liability insurance.

Special Projects:

• Assist supervisor when requested to complete special projects and complete all assignments within a time frame negotiated with the supervisor. Completion of other duties as assigned by supervisor as it relates to the program and position.

Job Related Physical/Mental Requirements & Environmental Conditions:

Physical:

• Ability to transport, adjust and/or move items up to 55 lbs.
• Ability to ascend/descend stairs.
• Ability to remain in a stationary position for long periods of time.
• Ability to handle objects.
• Ability to operate office equipment.
• Ability to move around within an office setting and/or other locations as needed; may include ability to bend/twist, kneel/stoop and/or reach for items.
•  Ability to push/pull, crawl/squat as it relates to PMAB requirements; may be required to perform PMAB restraints as it relates to program requirements.
• Ability to detect and write effectively.
• Ability to hear (with or without aid).
• Ability to have visual acuity to operate a motor vehicle and observe objects within work setting.

Mental:

• Ability to accept constructive criticism.
• Ability to maintain regular attendance.
• Ability to understand, communicate and comprehend accurate information with others in English.
• Ability to reason and analyze effectively.
• Ability to solve practical problems as it relates to position.
• Required to pass and maintain all Center mandated trainings.

Work Site/Environmental Conditions:

• Ability to work alone.
• Ability to work closely with others.
•  Ability to work closely with clients and/or family members with poor hygiene. Ability to work long and/or irregular hours.
•  May be subjected to hostile environment.
•  May be subjected to high crime environment.
• Potential exposure to tobacco products.
• May be subjected to both inside and outside environmental conditions.
•  Subject to standard noise levels within working environment.
• Travel by motor vehicle, van, bus or plane may be required.

Qualified individuals must be able to perform these functions with or without reasonable accommodation based on ADA requirements.