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Alcoholism & Substance Abuse Counselor Aide
Published
Time-Based Apprenticeship
Industries
O*Net Code
21-1093.00
Rapids Code
Req. Hours
1900
State
NY
Created
Jul 16, 2021
Updated
Jul 16, 2021
Time-Based Skills
6 skill sets | 60 total skills
Assessment - 350 req. hrs
Participate in Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) training; employ HIPAA Rules regarding privacy and security.
Gather and document relevant substance abuse use history information from client to obtain current status.
Provide assessments that are sensitive to the uniqueness of the individual by gaining knowledge about
personality, cultures, lifestyles, gender, special needs and any other factors influencing client behavior.
Recognize the signs and symptoms of alcohol and substance abuse, intoxication and withdrawal by interpreting observable behavior, laboratory data, results of interviews and testing.
Determine if client is experiencing problems in addition to substance use disorders.
Provide corroborative information and a complete history by evaluating information obtained from sources other than the client.
Determine the client appropriateness and eligibility for placement in the continuum of treatment by assessing and matching client’s needs and treatment resources.
Recognize conditions that are outside the Counselor Aide’s expertise by evaluating relevant information indicating the need for additional professional services in order to complete a comprehensive assessment.
Provide an accurate assessment of the client’s problem by selecting, administering, scoring, and interpreting standardized instruments that assess substance use disorders to develop the most appropriate course of treatment.
Assess the degree of risk of a client’s crisis situation by evaluating observed and reported behavior to determine which services are appropriate for stabilizing the client.
Explain to the client the rationale, purpose and procedures associated with the assessment process using appropriate methods and technology to promote understanding and compliance with the recommended course of treatment.
Document client’s psychological, social and physiological signs and symptoms of substance use disorders in order to formulate a treatment plan.
Ensure the provision of an integrated approach to diagnosis and treatment planning, by participating as an active member of the treatment team.
Promote understanding and compliance with the recommended course of treatment by explaining the results of a comprehensive biopsychosocial assessment.
Formulate mutually agreed upon goals, objectives, and treatment methods based upon assessments findings for the purpose of direct course of treatment.
Modify the treatment plan through collaboration with the client to ensure it reflects treatment needs as they change over time.
Counseling - 600 req. hrs
(Recommended maximum caseload for individual counseling – 3 clients)
Establish a therapeutic relationship with clients and significant/ concerned others.
Individualized counseling strategies with the client in order to maximize utilization of treatment resources.
Provide information to client regarding the structure, expectations and limitations of counseling process.
Develop a recovery plan with client using appropriate counseling techniques to reduce the risk of relapse.
Assess the level of risk involved in a client’s crisis situation.
Case Management - 250 req. hrs
Maintain client information about community resources and services by establishing contact with other service providers to evaluate the appropriateness of referring clients.
Match community resources with client needs to improve the effectiveness of treatment by paying particular attention to the cultural and lifestyle characteristics of the client.
Explain directly to the client the purpose and necessity for referral in order to ease the transition and facilitate client’s participation with other service providers.
Demonstrate proficiency in maintaining the client’s record by following prescribed standards.
Consult with supervisors, counselors, and other service providers by exchanging case findings, recommendations, treatment planning, and strategies for the client.
Involve client actively in coordinating services by explaining the need for outside consultation on a one-to-one setting.
Obtain client-informed consent by explaining the need for outside consultation.
Advocate for client’s interests in all areas of targeted needs by negotiating plans with appropriate systems to help resolve client’s problems.
Provide information and/or documentation to outside agencies through appropriate contacts.
Evaluate the effectiveness of case management activities through regular consultation with supervisors and peers.
Client and Family Education - 175 req. hrs
Use current literature and research findings to educate individuals and others about the etiology and pathology of substance use disorders for recognizing warning signs and symptoms.
Use current literature and research findings to deliver culturally relevant formal and informal educational programs for clients and significant/concerned others to raise awareness of the prevention, treatment and recovery processes.
Instruct clients and significant/concerned others through lecture, workshops and discussion to understand the influence of substance use disorders on families and other relationships.
Use resources from other health/behavioral professions to educate clients and significant/concerned others about the increased health risks associated with substance use and abuse.
Educate clients and significant/concerned others using appropriate methods and technology regarding the relationship between lifestyle choices and substance use to understand available alternatives.
Discuss substance use disorders with other professionals through formal and informal meetings to examine the roles professionals play in the prevention, treatment and recovery process.
Translate information about techniques, such as stress management, relaxation, communication, assertiveness and refusal skills in a culturally sensitive manner using appropriate methods and technology so that clients may improve their basic life skills.
Provide education to the client about self help and peer support by supplying appropriate information to encourage participation.
Inform clients and significant/concerned others about the biomedical effects of psychoactive substances using appropriate instructional techniques to raise awareness and affect behavioral change.
Supervising Activities of Daily Living - 425 req. hrs
Communicate house rules and regulations to clients.
Constant monitoring locations of clients.
Supervise opening of client mail.
Approve client requests to leave facility for specific purpose.
Assign chores.
Supervise completion of chores.
Assign consequences (penalties) for such behavior as failure to complete chores or to return to facility as scheduled.
Accompany clients to outside meetings and activities (as applicable).
Model appropriate behaviors and emotions for clients.
Monitor clients constantly. Verbally reinforce clients’ goals and expectations on a continuous basis.
Supervise clients’ taking of prescribed medications.
Help facilitate the resolution of conflicts between clients.
Oversee redemption of client privileges (if applicable).
Communication and Recordkeeping - 100 req. hrs
Keep written records of group and individual counseling sessions.
Meet on a regular basis with other members of treatment team to discuss client’s behavior, progress and suggest strategies.
Keep daily activity logs (if applicable).
Complete unusual incident reports.
Practice in preparing discharge plan for client (if applicable).
Technical Instruction
Safety - 24 req. hrs
Trade Safety
Violence Prevention
HIPAA and Confidentiality
First Aid and CPR
Sexual Harassment Prevention Training – must comply with Section 201-g of the Labor Law
Occupational Theory and Science - 88 req. hrs
General Psychology, Abnormal Psychology, and Developmental Psychology
Knowledge of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse
Basic Knowledge: Physical and Pharmacological Effects
Knowledge of 12-Step and Self-Help Approaches
Theories of Addiction
Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counseling
Individual Counseling
Group Counseling
Family and Significant Other Counseling
Communicable Diseases: HIV/AIDS; STD’s; TB; HEPATITIS
Special Populations
MICA’s; Women; Gays/Lesbians; Adolescents
Human Growth and Development Assessment
Clinical Evaluation; Treatment Planning; Case Management and Patient/Family Education
Interviewing Techniques
Clinical Recordkeeping
Case Management and Referral
Cultural Diversity
Professional and Ethical Responsibilities
Counselor-Client Relationships
Counselor Ethics
Confidentiality/Legal Issues/Documentation
Counselor Aide Wellness
