Clinical Counselor

The Safer Foundation is a social service provider to individuals with arrest and conviction records. Through a full range of services, including case management, educational instruction and advocacy, we focus on preparing individuals for the world of work by helping them find and keep productive and meaningful employment

General Summary: 

Reporting to the Director of Clinical Services -Treatment, the Clinical Counselor is responsible for conducting the

initial clinical assessments, treatment plans, and facilitating individual/group education and therapy for residents with

substance use and mental health needs identified at intake or throughout their stay at Crossroads and North Lawndale

Adult Transitional Centers and in the community.

Performance Results Description

The Position is properly performed when all essential duties and responsibilities are executed by following the Safer Values.

Exceeding Expectations, Communication and Collaboration, Integrity, and Evidence Based Innovation.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Stakeholder Interface and Service

• Conduct assessments using ASAM Patient Placement Criteria and treatment plans obtaining information about
• the individual including 1) strengths and 2) presenting needs, and 3) underlying needs; develop a plan with the
• client to address identified needs, including key parties to engage.
• Facilitate group therapy, individual sessions at a minimum of 1hr, 1x a month and group education sessions to
• residents admitted to treatment or in need of preventive support.
• Conduct drug education classes to all new incoming residents on a variety of topics pertaining to substance use
• and mental health.
• Coordinate with community-based treatment team and programming, correctional case managers, adult
• transition center leadership, correctional officers, medical staff, and other staff to receive referrals of residents
• identified as having substance use treatment needs and who can benefit from treatment.
• Participate in integrated staffing internally and externally as appropriate to ensure coordination amongst other
• programs and providers, that the resident is involved in.
• Coordinate with stakeholders on residents’ participation and progress as appropriate.
• Follow correctional security and operational procedures and protocols

Stakeholder Outreach and Recruitment

• Facilitate overviews related Behavioral Health to internal and external communities  
• Follow-up on referrals in a timely manner, within 24-72 hours, to maximize client motivations and readiness to engage. 

Tracking, Document, and Reporting

• Document all assessments, treatment plans, progress notes, individual and group therapy session notes,
• discharge plans for reach resident assigned to your caseload.
• Ensure treatment plans and discharge plans reflect other programming or services the resident is receiving
• from other teams or staff at Safer Foundation or partner providers.
• Conduct quarterly internal quality assurance audits.
• Document all client interactions in a timely manner.
• Utilize Salesforce and Carelogic as the main platforms for data entry.
• Report issues up to the Director of Clinical Services along with root causes and solutions as needed.
• Respond to requests from the Director of Clinical Services or other management team members concerning reports or services.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues on mutual clients.
• And any other duties needed to help drive to our vision, fulfill our mission, and abide by our organization’s values

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Possesses a client/patient-centered ideology
• Emotional self-awareness: Possesses knowledge of personal strengths, weakness, and triggers and the ability to
• self-regulate emotions.
• Passion for and knowledge of social justice and harm reduction practices.
• Able to operate in a team setting.
• Previous experience as a treatment counselor in a correctional setting.
• Ability to deescalate crisis's; bring potential resources to the team to help clients, coordinate with leads on
• specific issues, and more.
• Displays knowledge of, and applied experience with, evidenced-based practices concerning addiction, harm
• reduction, and treatment methods.
• Applied knowledge of characteristics and interventions concerning the justice-involved population.
• Cultural competency (cultural and linguistic) as it relates to cultures and trauma experienced by formerly
• incarcerated individuals and as it relates to a predominantly Latino and African American client base.
• Unwavering commitment to quality services.
• Strong display of professionalism at all times.
• Strong ethical principles and display of personal and professional boundaries.
• Self-motivated, resourceful, and outcome-driven with the capability to function in a fast-paced, start-up work
• environment.
• Adaptable and teachable; displays a willingness to learn and further develop skills
• Excellent organizational skills, including the ability to pay attention to detail, prioritize, and multitask.
• Knowledge of issues concerning Medicaid and access to care in Illinois desired.
• Applied knowledge of Illinois Administrative Rule 2060, 42 CFR Part 2, and HIPAA.
• Experience using an electronic health record system and/or case management system desired.
• Computer literacy: able to use MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams, PowerPoint) and web-based

applications (E.g., Zoom, Chrome, Office 365, DocuSign, e-fax, secure email, and more).

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in related field (Sociology, Social Work, Psychology, Criminal Justice, etc.) required. 
• Master’s degree in counseling or social work is a plus.
• A minimum of 2 years’ experience working at a social service organization providing direct services, preferably with a criminal justice, violence prevention, and/or behavioral health field focus. Lived experience will be considered if the applicant can demonstrate applicable experience doing similar work.

Licenses and or Certifications:

• Certification as a CADC or Certified Peer Recovery Coach is a plus
• Licensure as a LSW, LPC, LCSW, or LCPC or higher-level credential is a plus

Hours: 

Traditional business hours are 8:30am - 4:30pm. However, hours can be flexed, e.g. 8-4, 9-5, 10-6. While a normal week requires 40 hours of work, this position is salary and thus may require more than the traditional amount of business hours in order to complete projects and fulfill duties. Occasional evenings or weekends may be required in relation to community events. In this instance, comp time is provided, or hours may be flexed.