Our Mission

“Preparing Our Community to Meet Life’s Challenges.”

We help everyone who comes to our door with resources for both immediate needs and long-term goals. Our network of programs, services, and experiences strengthen individuals, families, and communities and provides opportunities for growth and economic stability.
 

Come Join Our Team!

When you become an employee at the Community Renewal Team (CRT), you will join a host of others with an average tenure of 9 years of service.  Some of our employees have celebrated more than 20+ years of service.   You’ll participate in fun activities, themed- employee appreciation events, organization sponsored golf tournaments, etc.  We celebrate the accomplishments of employees using our Wall of Excellence highlighting employees of the month. Opportunities to grow within the organization are plentiful.   Most of our employees started in entry level positions and have been promoted throughout their career.
 

BENEFITS:

401K with a matching employer contribution, medical, dental, vision, HSA Spending Accounts, Life Insurance, Short-Term Disability (STD)/Long- Term Disability (LTD), and an Employee Assistance Program.  Eligible employees are also able to participate in agency sponsored educational opportunities.  Eligible employees receive ten paid vacation days, six sick paid days annually, and two personal days paid annually.

JOB DETAILS:

POSITION TITLE:  ASAM Clinical Specialist

DEPARTMENT:     Clinical Services

FLSA STATUS:        Exempt

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

The Intensive Outpatient ASAM Specialist is responsible for the coordination of intensive clinical treatment to individuals requiring multi-dimensional evaluation placement criteria, recovery tools, motivation and monitoring to reduce risks in substance use and or mental health. This individual provides specialized group and/or one on one counseling services to individuals with Substance use and or co-occurring disorders directed by ASAM dimensional criteria with a strong background on substance use, stages of change and cognitive behavioral therapies. Clinician must also maintain knowledge of best practice information with regard to the provision of quality services and supports for Clients.

SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

The list of essential functions, as outlined herein, is intended to be representative of the tasks performed within this classification. It is not necessarily descriptive of any one position in the class. The omission of an essential function does not preclude management from assigning duties not listed herein if such functions are a logical assignment to the position.

• Completes initial assessments at the point of entry, diagnosing individuals based on presenting symptoms and related behaviors, and triaging individuals to the appropriate level of care within for ongoing services and treatment that in every case utilizes the least restrictive means possible to meet client needs and/or medical necessity (based of ASAM criteria) For substance users, the clinician utilizes the Comprehensive Clinical Assessment to recommend placement levels using the ASAM criteria. The clinician will ensure documentation is completed as required for placement into IOP services.
• Ability to accurately diagnose and treat psychiatric/mental health, substance use, and other disorders (based on credentials)
• Complete (30) day, continued stays, re-authorizations, and/or crisis assessment intervention services that in every case utilizes the least restrictive means possible to meet client needs and/or medical necessity (based on ASAM Criteria)
• As a member of a clinical team, be available if needed to work a schedule as assigned by the Program manager/ Director in accordance with client needs.
• Participate in mandatory clinical supervision as clinical staffing of cases.
• Maintain a 100% chart compliance rating on Quality Assurance reviews by maintaining records for areas of responsibility in accordance with ASAM departmental, state, and federal regulations, laws, policies, and procedures. 
• Processes daily paperwork including but not limited to client progress notes, authorization forms, and daily client sign in sheets.  
• Complete new admissions and concurrent reviews in a timely manner
• Review clinical information and communicate documentation needs.
• Complete clinical documentation and assure that all filing of clinical information and submission of billing information is done accurately and within the time frame required
• Collaborate and/or coordinate with other case-involved service providers and professionals such as: probation and/or parole officers, etc.
• Provides individual, group, and family counseling, psychotherapy, and/or crisis intervention to individuals who have been diagnosed with MH, SU, diagnoses.
• Collaborate regarding diagnostic & ASAM multi-dimensional assessments to review MH/SA diagnoses and develop individualized plans of care utilizing a wrap-around services philosophy.
• Provides appropriate clinical documentation and assures that assessments and correspondence to outside contacts are clinically appropriate and completed thoroughly and in a timely manner.
• Develops and implements person-centered, individualized treatment plans; makes referrals for other care providers as needed, documents accordingly to dimensions in ASAM standards
• Ensure discharge and transfer of care are completed based on policy and procedures.  
• Reviews and ensures toxicology reports are reviewed and ensure participants render appropriate toxicology on a weekly basis.

 Job Qualifications

• Working knowledge of the American Society of Addictions Medicine (ASAM) criteria
• Working knowledge of the DSM-5
• Working knowledge of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), trauma-informed care, and motivational interviewing questioning techniques
• Working knowledge of government regulations, payer guidelines, and community medical resources
• Working knowledge of co-occurring SA/MH disorder treatment Placement criteria and dimensional assessments. 
• Direct experience providing services to individuals with substance use or co-occurring disorder using ASAM criteria.
• Effective communication skills
• Ability to work independently.
• Professional demeanor and attitude
• Knowledge of acceptable social, work, and interpersonal behavior

·         Familiar with risk management issues and safety procedures to ensure that consistent efforts are made for implementation. The Clinician is responsible for monitoring the safety practices of others and it is crucial that this duty be completed in a thorough manner to ensure that Clients served are safe.     

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ADDITIONAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Require use of crisis intervention 
• The Clinician is responsible for monitoring the safety practices of others and it is crucial that this duty be completed in a thorough manner to ensure that clients served are safe     
• Attend a minimum of credentialing hours of substance abuse related training per year.
• Participation in planning and implementing a minimum of one monthly group activity for program participants, including but limited to: life skills, education, empowerment/support recovery groups,
• Complete yearly mandatory training including confidentiality and HIPAA compliance.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills
• Compassionate and empathetic demeanor
• Ability to collaborate with other professionals.
• High level of emotional intelligence
• Familiarity with local resources for treatment

MINIMUM TRAINING EXPERIENCE AND MEDICAL CERTIFICATIONS

Master Degree in Social Work (Must possess CT license) or related field from an accredited institution. Preferably LCSW, LMSW, LADC, or LPC.  Knowledge of Human Services, Criminal Justice, Court systems, substance use and target population(s) a must. over three (3) years of experience with substance use. Thorough knowledge of co-occurring disorders and of social services in Hartford with the demonstrated ability to work in collaboration with other service providers required. Experience in facilitating groups and counseling background strongly preferred. Experience working with participants from diverse ethnic and economic backgrounds with the ability to interact and communicate effectively. Proficient in databases, MS Office, written reports and maintenance of case notes. Strong organization, motivational, time management and interpersonal skills. specialized training with HIV/AIDS, Drug and Alcohol Abuse and/or counseling, Domestic Violence and/or any other applicable training related to field of work preferred. Must be available to work evenings, weekends, and other shifts as assigned.  There are no “permanent” schedules and may be changed to accommodate program needs. Valid driver’s license and reliable vehicle required. A medical and/or physical examination, including a Tuberculin test is required prior to appointment.

ADA COMPLIANCE

Physical Ability: Tasks involve sedentary to light work, involving some reaching, handling, fingering and/or feeling of objects and materials.

Sensory Requirements: Some tasks require visual perception and discrimination. Some tasks require oral communications ability.

Environmental Factors: Tasks are regularly performed with exposure to adverse environmental conditions, such as dirt, dust, pollen, odors, wetness, humidity, rain, fumes, temperature and noise extremes, machinery, vibrations, electric currents, traffic hazards, animals/wildlife, toxic/poisonous agents, violence, disease, or pathogenic substances.