Casac/Casac-T Counselor

1. SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES:  

Referral Review, Admission Assessment & Intake

• Participate in the referral review process in collaboration with program leadership to determine appropriateness for admission based on program criteria.
• Review referral materials to ensure required documentation is received and complete, including medical, psychiatric, psychosocial, legal, and insurance information.
• Assess referral information to support informed admission decisions and identify clinical, medical, or psychosocial needs requiring coordination prior to or at admission.
• Complete comprehensive admission assessments, including:
• • Psychosocial assessment
  • LOCADTR level of care determination
  • “Why Morning Star” narrative
• Coordinate with intake and program staff to address missing or outstanding referral documentation, when applicable.
• Orient residents to program structure, expectations, and handbook upon admission.
• Ensure intake paperwork, releases of information, and required screenings are completed and uploaded into the electronic health record (EHR) within required timeframes.
• Complete admission documentation, including admission note, initial treatment plan, and required OASAS forms, within 24 hours of admission.

Clinical Services, Crisis Intervention, Education & Support

• Provide regularly scheduled individual counseling sessions with assigned residents.
• Facilitate or co‑facilitate therapeutic, recovery‑focused, and psychoeducational groups, as assigned.
• Respond to residents experiencing emotional distress, relapse risk, or behavioral escalation using trauma‑informed, non‑restrictive crisis intervention strategies, in accordance with agency policy.
• Assess crisis situations and collaborate with supervisory staff and the multidisciplinary team to determine appropriate interventions and next steps.
• Provide ongoing education related to substance use disorder recovery, relapse prevention, emotional regulation, coping strategies, health and wellness, and life skills.
• Offer consistent clinical support, encouragement, and guidance to promote engagement, accountability, and sustained recovery.
• Document crisis interventions, education provided, and supportive clinical contacts in the EHR in a timely and accurate manner.
• Collect random toxicology screenings are complete in accordance with program policy, review results with resident as clinically appropriate, and ensure results are accurately documented in the electronic health record.

Treatment Planning, Program Participation & Ongoing Clinical Care

• Ensure treatment plans and required service plan reviews are completed accurately and within the required timeframes in collaboration with the resident and treatment team.
• Monitor residents’ engagement in clinical and recovery services.
• Ensure residents are attending required in‑house groups, meetings, and program activities as scheduled, with a minimum expectation of five (5) hours per week of structured programming, consistent with Medicaid Managed Care residential reintegration billing requirements, unless otherwise clinically indicated.
• Address non‑attendance or insufficient participation through clinical intervention, documentation, and collaboration with the treatment team.
• Document attendance, participation levels, progress, and barriers to engagement in the EHR.
• Adjust treatment goals and interventions as clinically indicated to support medical necessity, engagement, and recovery progress.
• Observe residents’ self‑administration of medication in accordance with program policy and training requirements, as assigned and alongside residential staff; address adherence concerns clinically; and ensure accurate documentation in the electronic health record.

Insurance, Utilization & Clinical Documentation

• Complete and submit required clinical documentation to support insurance authorization, continued stay, and discharge, as applicable.
• Ensure admission, continued‑stay, and discharge documentation is accurate, timely, and compliant with payor requirements.
• Collaborate with supervisory staff, utilization management, and administrative staff to address insurance‑related needs or barriers.
• Respond to requests for clinical information from insurance entities in accordance with program policy and confidentiality requirements.
• Ensure clinical documentation supports medical necessity, level of care, and continuity of services.

Care Coordination & External Provider Collaboration

• Coordinate care with internal and external providers to ensure residents are connected to appropriate services, including:
• • Substance use disorder (SUD) treatment
  • Mental health treatment
  • Medical and dental care
  • Care management services
  • Vocational and educational services
  • Legal and other oversight entities, as applicable
• Ensure residents attend required off‑site appointments and that follow‑up care is documented.
• Maintain ongoing communication with external providers to monitor engagement, progress, and emerging needs.
• Share relevant clinical information, with appropriate releases, to support continuity of care and recovery.
• Advocate for residents’ clinical and recovery needs while maintaining professional boundaries.

Discharge Planning & Continuity of Care

• Initiate discharge planning early and review plans regularly with residents and supervisors.
• Develop and document comprehensive discharge plans that include:
• • Continuing outpatient providers
  • Appointment dates and times
  • Medication follow‑up and care coordination
• Complete required discharge documentation, including LOCADTR (cVR/DC), discharge planning forms, and discharge summaries.
• Coordinate with external providers, care managers, legal entities, and internal staff to ensure seamless transitions.
• Follow established procedures for both successful completions and discharges against clinical advice, documenting limitations when steps cannot be completed.

Team Participation, Compliance & Professional Accountability

• Participate in multidisciplinary team meetings, case conferences, supervision, and staff meetings.
• Function as an active member of the residential treatment team and regularly assist with residential counselor duties, including resident supervision, program coverage, medication observation, toxicology screening, and support of program structure.
• Support a safe, therapeutic environment through collaboration with residential and clinical staff.
• Carry out all responsibilities in accordance with OASAS regulations, SCO Family of Services policies and procedures, and program standards.
• Communicate effectively with supervisors regarding resident progress, clinical concerns, or barriers to care.
• Attend required trainings and in‑service sessions.
• Uphold program structure, rules, and expectations consistently and professionally.

Other Duties

• In addition to clinical responsibilities, Primary Counselors are expected to regularly assist with residential counselor duties as part of the treatment team, including resident supervision, medication observation, toxicology screening, shift coverage, and support of program structure, as assigned and in accordance with training, program needs, and policy.
• Perform additional duties related to clinical care, coordination, compliance, or program operations as assigned by the Program Supervisor.

1. QUALIFICATIONS:

• CASAC or CASAC‑T required.
• Bachelor’s degree in Human Services, Social Work, Counseling, or related field preferred.
• Experience providing counseling, admission assessment, and care coordination to individuals with substance use disorders preferred.
• Knowledge of trauma‑informed, recovery‑oriented treatment approaches.
• Experience with clinical documentation and utilization requirements preferred.
• Valid NYS Driver’s License, as applicable.
• Successful completion of required background checks and health clearances.

III.   KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & COMPENTENCIES

• Strong clinical assessment, counseling, and engagement skills.
• Ability to evaluate referrals and support informed admission decisions.
• Ability to coordinate care across multiple systems and providers.
• Strong written documentation and organizational skills.
• Effective communication with residents, providers, and interdisciplinary team members.
• Ability to maintain professional boundaries and ethical standards.
• Sensitivity to cultural, social, and individual differences.
• Belief in individuals’ capacity for recovery, growth, and change.

1. WORKING CONDITIONS:

• On-site position within a residential treatment program.
• Schedule may include evening or flexible hours based on program needs.

1. SCOPE OF RESPONSIBILITY:

• Responsible for referral review participation, admission assessment, clinical service delivery, crisis intervention, documentation, insurance‑related requirements, and care coordination for assigned residents from admission through discharge.      

1. ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE:

• This position functions within the Morning Star Program’s clinical treatment structure and reports directly to the Program Supervisor.

CASAC-$27/hr

CASAC-T-$23/hr