Substance Abuse Intake Specialist
Overview:
This position requires the full understanding and active participation in fulfilling the mission of Tara Treatment Center, Inc. The Intake Specialist is responsible for completing the pre-screening assessment, biopsychosocial assessment, and subsequent admissions processes of all incoming clients. Collaborates with clients and their families to determine their needs and utilize ASAM criteria to determine the best level of care.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
- Conduct confidential, quality assessments to determine the individuals’ need for alcohol and drug services and evaluate their suitability for participation in a specific level of care. These assessments include the pre-screening, biopsychosocial, suicide screening tool and if applicable the suicide risk assessment.
- Complete the ASAM form using the information gathered from the assessments.
- Complete the clinical admit note. This should include at minimum basic demographic information, ASAM criteria, referral source, chemical use history, legal history, substance abuse and psychiatric treatment history, mental health diagnosis history, family involvement, and any other relevant information.
- Administer the initial Trac 9 assessment.
- Review all admission paperwork with the client and obtain their signature on all forms including conditions of admission, emergency contact consent and liability waiver.
- Make referrals to appropriate outside agencies/providers if a client does not meet criteria for admission.
- Communicate any significant assessment findings to the clinical supervisor and program coordinator immediately.
- Consult with supervisor or other members of the multi-disciplinary treatment team as needed.
- Participate in all assigned meetings, staff development, and training as required.
- Complete paperwork requirements and maintain quality, up to date clinical records.
- Remain in compliance with internal and external policies, procedures, regulations, and standards.
- Participate in continuing professional development.
Minimum Skills and Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in nursing, social work, counseling, or related field.
- CPR Certification
- A valid Indiana driver’s license or a valid picture identification issued by a state or federal agency.
- Scheduling flexibility, holiday, and weekend rotation is required.
- Strong interpersonal and engagement skills.
- Effective written and verbal communication skills.
Competencies:
- Ability to establish rapport.
- Apply accepted criteria for diagnosis of substance use disorders.
- Determine the readiness of the individual for treatment and change.
- Ability to systematically gather data.
- Ability to screen for psychoactive substance toxicity, intoxication, and withdrawal symptoms.
- Screen for danger to self or others by completing the pre-screening assessment, suicide risk screening tool and when necessary the suicide risk assessment.
- Ability to screen for co-occurring mental health issues.
- Ability to analyze and interpret data to determine treatment recommendations and priorities.
- Demonstrate adherence to accepted ethical and behavioral standards of conduct.
- Knowledge and application of DSM-V diagnostic and ASAM criteria.
- Ability to oversee and accurately document self-administered medications.
- Ability to use de-escalation and crisis intervention techniques.
Physical Requirements:
This position requires light physical activity. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, stand, talk, hear, and use hands and fingers to operate a computer and telephone. Frequent walking is required throughout the interior and exterior of the facility. The ability to lift average weight objects up to 20 pounds, going up and down steps several times per shift, and the ability to work the hours/shifts necessary to complete the work are also required. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision requirements to do computer work.