Entry Level Substance Abuse Counselor Jobs in Springfield, MA

Reports To: Navigation Center Manager                                               Hourly Non-Exempt

Position Summary: 

The Housing Support Counselors are the front line staff working with our emergency shelter clients. Housing Support Counselors deliver our services in a non-judgmental way. They assist clients by assuring that safety rules and regulations are observed, in a manner which conveys caring, respect and understanding. This position provides services to persons who are currently homeless and often have a mental illness and also may have co-occurring substance abuse issues.  

Qualifications:

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  High school diploma or general education degree (GED); or an equivalent combination of education and experience
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  Commitment to Housing First, Harm Reduction, Person-Centered, and Consumer-Choice models of care
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  Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out detailed but uninvolved written or oral instructions
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  Ability to read and comprehend simple instructions, short correspondence and memos. Ability to write simple correspondence, complete paperwork
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  Bilingual/Bicultural (English/Spanish) (preferred)
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  Strong interpersonal communication skills and an ability to provide services to persons who are low-income and/or homeless
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  Ability to handle stressful situations in a fast-paced environment and intervene/deescalate crisis situations

Physical Requirements:

While performing the duties of the job, the position is frequently required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop; kneel; crouch; or crawl, and occasionally sit. The position must occasionally lift and/or move up to 75 pounds and is subject to the use of Universal Precautions as required by the blood borne Pathogens Exposure Control Plan.

Nature and Scope of Position:

This position provides services to clients in a shelter environment who are currently homeless and may have a mental illness and also may have co-occurring substance abuse issues.  This position does intakes, sets up for meals and cleans afterwards, makes continuous rounds and monitors activity, completes paperwork, answers the door and telephone, and makes basic referrals. The position requires the ability to be pleasant, patient, compassionate and consistent with clients.

Environmental and Working Conditions:

This position regularly works with clients who are intoxicated, under the influence of unknown substances, may be affected by communicable diseases, and/or appear affected by serious mental health problems. The environment is fast-paced and may include stressful and crisis situations.

Job Responsibilities:

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  Read the staff log book from the entry of last shift worked
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  Set up serving tables and tables and chairs for clients for meals. After meals, break down tables and chairs. Make sure floor is swept and mopped, garbage is taken out and kitchen is cleaned
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  Work with the 211 Coordinated Access Network established procedures for people seeking shelter that come to the door or call on the phone
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  For new clients, follow established intake procedures
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  Upon every entry, all clients will be patted down for any illegal or unsafe items
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  All bags will be thoroughly searched for illegal or dangerous contraband, including medications
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  Make necessary referrals to detox, mental health, hospital, etc.
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  Make continual rounds, monitoring the main hall, smoking areas, and bathroom
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  Make sure smoking is in designated outdoor areas only
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  Monitor return of bedding
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  Make entries in the staff log book at least every hour. Record client altercations, problems, policy deviations, fire alarms, client concerns, repairs needed and other information to be communicated to staff
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  Make sure that all intakes, referrals, incidents and logbook entries are complete prior to the end of the shift
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  Complete incident reports completely for all out-of the-ordinary situations, including, but not limited to, staff/client altercations, client/client altercations, fighting, unresolved conflicts, calling the police or ambulance. The incident report will minimally contain: who; what; when; where

Other duties as needed/assigned