Job Description:
Associate Counselor

GENERAL DESCRIPTION:
This is a responsible, professional substance abuse counselor-training position involving provision of substance abuse intervention services for inmates within a correctional center. Services will be provided under the professional guidance of a qualified substance abuse counselor and will involve those services identified appropriate for an associate counselor in accordance with his/her training plan. Services which the trainee may be required to provide will include: educational instructional sessions appropriate to a holistic model of treatment services; individual and group counseling, and direction of ancillary treatment activities. The 12-Step recovery program will be the primary treatment modality.

REPORTS TO:
All work performance by an Associate Counselor is closely supervised by a Qualified Counselor or Program Manager depending upon program location.

JOB DUTIES:
All work performed by an Associate shall be identified in the individual training plan. Job responsibilities may include, but are not limited to:

1. The counselor trainee provides counseling services as identified in the individualized training plan.
2. Completes reading and activity assignments in accordance with the individualized training plan.
3. Participates successfully in identified training/education listed in the individualized training plan.
4. Participates in weekly individual face-to-face meetings with assigned supervisor to discuss training needs (first year of employment).
5. Prepares and maintains client charts and treatment documentation as identified in individualized training plan with review and counter-signature of assigned supervisor.
6. Activities to which the counselor trainee may be involved are:
   assessment, formulation of treatment plans, evaluation of progress, conduct of individual and group therapy, provision of seminars, provision of experimental life skills to clients, participation in team meetings, conduct AA/NA, Al-Anon groups, supervision of Peer Support groups, etc.
7. Provides reports in a timely manner.

QUALIFICATIONS:
The associate counselor must have acquired a high school diploma or GED and possess:

1. Two (2) years of experience in the provision of substance abuse treatment and rehabilitation or;
2. The successful completion of three (3) years (with approximately 90 semester hours of credit), in an accredited four-year college or university with specialization in psychology, sociology, social work, nursing, criminal justice or related area. (Experience in a facility or community program involving substance abuse treatment and rehabilitation or social casework, corrections or probation and parole casework, or counseling may be substituted on a year-for-year basis for deficiencies in the stated education.

SPECIAL QUALIFYING NOTE FOR PERSONNEL WORKING IN DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS’ INSTITUTIONAL PROGRAMS

1. All employees MUST submit to and pass a background investigation conducted by the Department of Corrections or its designee in order to be eligible to provide services in any facility. Such investigation will be equivalent to investigations required of all personnel employed by the Department.
2. All new full-time and part-time personnel MUST complete a basic training, an orientation program, and substance abuse core curriculum training as provided by the Department of Corrections, when offered by the Department.
3. All new employees will attend and participate in the institution’s New Employee Orientation conducted by the Institutional Training Officer.
4. In accordance with Section 217.115 RSMO, no employee of KCCC providing services SHALL be currently or concurrently under the supervision of any federal, state, county, and/or city correctional department.