Substance Use Specialist


 Position Title: Substance Use Specialist Department: Older Adult ACT  Reports to:  ACT Team Leader                                               Travel within NYC boroughs and neighboring counties as appropriate Pay Range: $40.88-44.07 Vibrant Emotional Health’s groundbreaking solutions have delivered high quality services and support, when, where and how people need it for over 50 years. Through our state-of-the-art technology-enabled services, community wellness programs, and advocacy and education work, we are building a society in which emotional wellness can be a reality for everyone.

Overview: Help Older Adults Build Stability, Independence, and Connection Under the direction of the ACT Team Leader and Designee, the Substance Use Specialist will be responsible for providing services to older adults with serious mental illness as part of an ACT team. This role focuses on ensuring consumer success in community living and psychiatric stabilization by providing Integrated Dual Disorder Treatment (IDDT) to consumers with dual mental health and substance abuse issues. The Substance Use Specialist provides and coordinates assessment, treatment, planning, and services for substance use based on the needs of the individual.  Evidence-based approaches are a focus, with demonstrated knowledge in Motivational Interviewing and Harm-Reduction approaches. Where You’ll Make a Difference In this role, you will help older adults remain connected to their communities while working toward greater stability, independence, and quality of life. You will build trusting relationships with clients in their homes and neighborhoods, support them in identifying meaningful goals, and connect them with the clinical, medical, housing, benefits, and community resources they need. As a clinically trained member of the ACT team, you will bring focused expertise in co-occurring disorders and help shape individualized, recovery-oriented care. Duties/Responsibilities:  Provide direct services and/or facilitate access to community support services (medical, mental health, substance abuse, social/recreational services, housing, entitlements) within an interdisciplinary team Manage caseload of up to 15 seniors with serious mental illness, ensuring comprehensive coordination of care, rehabilitation and wrap-around support to enhance independence, community connection, and goal achievement Conduct screenings, intakes, and bio-psychosocial assessments; assist in developing Individualized Service Plans (ISPs). Provides and coordinates assessment, treatment, planning, and services for substance use based on the needs of the consumer. Maintain accurate charting and documentation as per requirements. Provide crisis intervention, including emergency hospital admission support. Actively participate in program activities and team meetings, including daily clinical meetings. Be able to work flexible hours, including evenings/weekends as needed. Rotate coverage of the ACT Emergency Phone with other members of the team, which will include 24/7 coverage of possible outreach from clients or treatment providers. Required Skills/ Abilities: Demonstrated training and/or experience in delivering evidence-based practices, such as Motivational Interviewing, CBT, DBT. Strong organizational and communication skills, both written and verbal. Proficient in computer literacy.  Multitasking efficiently on a regular basis. Manages their own task list with minimal supervision. Bilingual/bicultural preferred.

Graduate-level degree with a focus in Mental Health Services required (MSW, MHC, or related degree; professional license by NYSED preferred, but not required) CASAC certification preferred  1-2 years of experience with individuals diagnosed with serious mental illness and co-occurring substance use disorders.

This position