Substance Use Disorder Specialist
- Summary
King County is seeking to hire a TLT Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Specialist within Public Health – Seattle & King County, Jail Health Services (JHS) Division. The purpose of JHS is to assure that basic health and human services are available to individuals who are incarcerated in the King County adult correctional facilities. They provide a broad range of health care—including screening for substance use disorders, prescribing medications for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD), distributing naloxone, and providing overdose prevention and response education.
The SUD Specialist provides patient-centered, trauma-informed care and engages participants while they are in-custody and as they connect with health and social services upon release. Regular tasks include conducting substance use disorder assessments, coordinating benefit and payment authorization, and securing placement at an inpatient facility.
This is a unique opportunity for someone who wants to be part of a multidisciplinary health team that works to remove barriers to medical, behavioral, treatment and social services and is committed to reducing stigma and building power with people who use drugs.
People with lived experience of substance use, incarceration, houselessness, and/or sex work; people of color, women, and members of the LGBTQIA+ communities; and people living with HIV/AIDS and/or hepatitis C are strongly encouraged to apply.
Term-limited temporary positions are "at-will" positions but are eligible for benefits. The funding for these positions is anticipated to last for two years. However, funding is dependent upon decisions being made at both the federal and local levels. As a result, the end date of this position may be adjusted based on those decisions. JHS is actively working to secure long-term funding for these positions.
COMMITMENT TO EQUITY AND SOCIAL JUSTICE:
As the only jurisdiction in the world named after Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., one of the most influential civil rights leaders in our nation's history, King County is a vibrant international community with residents that represent countries from around the world. It is a region with increasing diversity that cherishes the traditions of many cultures.
We have a deep commitment to equity and social justice and advancing practices, strategies, and policies that promote fairness, justice, and opportunity for all – in our workplaces and our communities. With this commitment, King County has adopted a pro-equity agenda to advance regional change and ensure that residents from vulnerable communities are incorporated into our emergency planning and public outreach efforts.
To learn more, please visit http://www.kingcounty.gov/equity*THIS POSTING WILL REMAIN POSTED COUNTINOUSLY, WILL REVIEW APPLICANTS ON 11/9/2022*- Job Duties
- Demonstrate an ongoing commitment to honing your clinical skills, especially those related to cultural humility, anti-racist practices, and shared decision making.
- Engage with people who use drugs (including alcohol) using a collaborative, person-centered approach grounded in harm reduction and trauma-informed practice.
- Promote diverse cultural health beliefs and practices, patient preferred languages, health literacy, and other communications needed for participants referred to care.
- Responsible for placement into inpatient treatment, which includes determining the appropriate level of care, type of service, length of stay, and the most appropriate facility using ASAM placement criteria
- Facilitate shared treatment decision making and help participants understand the benefits of assessment and accessing the appropriate level of care.
- Work collaboratively with funding sources to obtain initial authorizations for reimbursement.
- Work cooperatively with the referral sources, providing clinical consultation as needed.
- Monitor patient access to care and work collaboratively with stakeholders to eliminate barriers to treatment.
- Maintain working knowledge of drug and alcohol treatment agencies and programs.
- Document patient contact and services delivered in electronic health record system.
- Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills
- Registration as a Substance Use Disorder Professional under WAC 440-22-240.
- At least two years of recent, relevant work experience with people involved in the criminal legal system within King, Pierce, or Snohomish County with priority given to people with experience providing harm reduction and recovery-related services for participants with substance use disorders
- Demonstrated skills, experience and knowledge of anti-racism concepts and approaches.
- Knowledge of specific challenges, trauma responses, behavior and needs for people experiencing legal involvement, housing instability, poverty, substance use disorder and mental health diagnoses that are compounded by discrimination and systemic oppression.
- Demonstrated clinical skills, experience, and knowledge of the following:
- Participant-centered concepts and approaches to case management, including outreach, screening, intake, assessment, intervention, and referral
- Trauma-informed care concepts, approaches, and trauma responses.
- Recovery-oriented concepts and approaches.
- Crisis intervention and suicide risk assessment.
- Building and maintaining appropriate boundaries with participants.
- Familiarity with Microsoft programs such as Outlook, and the ability to use drop down menus, point and click software, and multiple screens.
- Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively.
- Ability to travel on a flexible schedule as needed.
- Must possess valid Washington Driver’s License to drive a county vehicle.
- Supplemental Information
Forbes recently named King County as one of Washington State's best employers.
Together, with leadership and our employees, we're changing the way government delivers service and winning national recognition as a model of excellence. Are you ready to make a difference? Come join the team dedicated to serving one of the nation's best places to live, work and play.
Guided by our "True North", we are making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive. We value diversity, inclusion and belonging in our workplace and workforce. To reach this goal we are committed to workforce equity. Equitable recruiting, support, and retention is how we will obtain the highest quality workforce in our region; a workforce that shares and will help advance our guiding principles--we are one team; we solve problems; we focus on the customer; we drive for results; we are racially just; we respect all people; we lead the way; and we are responsible stewards. We encourage people of all backgrounds and identities to apply, including Native American and people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ+, people living with disabilities, and veterans.
COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement
King County Executive Branch employees are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. If you are the successful candidate for the position you applied for, the County will send you a conditional offer letter.
As a condition of employment, prior to a final offer of employment, you will be required to:- submit proof of vaccination, or
- have an approved request for medical or religious exemption and an approved accommodation. Philosophical, political, scientific, or sociological objections to vaccination will not be considered for an exemption or accommodation.
People are considered fully vaccinated against COVID-19 two weeks after receiving the final dose of a vaccination approved by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The Executive Branch includes employees in the Executive branch, the Assessor's Office, Elections, the King County Sheriff's Office, and the Executive Office.
King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer
No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or other protected class. Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.
To Apply
If you are interested in pursuing this position, please follow the application instructions carefully. If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process or if you have questions please contact the recruiter listed on this job announcement.
Who May Apply
This position is open to all qualified candidates.
Application Process:
The following items are required to be considered for this vacancy:- An electronic application through www.kingcounty.gov/jobs or www.governmentjobs.com (use the "Apply" link) including work history and position duties.
- Candidates must submit a resume
- Responses to ALL supplemental questions.
- The selection process may include but is not limited to evaluation of application materials and supplemental questions, interviewing, and testing. For more information on our selection process, please refer to www.kingcounty.gov/depts/health/jobs/hiring.
- Regular and reliable attendance, effective communication skills, and development of effective working relationships are requirements of all Public Health positions.
- Staff may be required to play an active role in the event of a public health emergency, which may include changes in responsibilities, work location, and working hours.
This position works with patients inside and outside of the Maleng Regional Justice Center (MRJC) in Kent and the King County Correctional Facility (KCCF) in Seattle and requires travel between facilities and to multiple community locations. The MRJC is located at 401 4th Ave N, Kent, WA 98032 and KCCF is located at 500 5th Ave., Seattle, WA 98104.
Work Schedule:
This is a full-time position, including weekend and evening shifts
Necessary Special Requirements
- The selected candidate will be required to submit to a thorough background investigation.
- Employees are required to protect the privacy and security of protected health information as defined in State and Federal Law.
- Employees are required to adhere to OSHA/WISHA guidelines including but not limited to completing required training on time.
Contact:
If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process or if you have questions please contact please contact: Alexis Owens, Human Resource Analyst, at Alowens@kingcounty.gov.
King County offers a highly-competitive compensation and benefits package designed to meet the diverse needs of our employees and support our employees' health and well-being. Eligible positions receive the following benefits and have access to the following programs:
- Medical, dental, and vision coverage: King County pays 100% of the premiums for eligible employees and family members
- Life and disability insurance: employees are provided basic coverage and given the opportunity to purchase additional insurance for both the employee and eligible dependents
- Retirement: King County employees are eligible to participate in a pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems and a 457(b) deferred-compensation plan
- Transportation program and ORCA transit pass
- 10 paid holidays each year (plus 2 personal holidays)
- Generous vacation and paid sick leave
- Paid parental leave, family and medical leaves, and volunteer leave
- Flexible Spending Account
- Wellness programs
- Onsite gyms and activity centers
- Employee giving program
- Employee assistance programs
- Flexible schedules and telecommuting options, depending on position
- Training and career development programs
This is a general description of the benefits offered to eligible King County employees, and every effort has been made to ensure its accuracy. If any information on this document conflicts with the provisions of a collective bargaining agreement (CBA), the CBA prevails. Also, in the event of any incorrect information in this document, applicable laws, policies, rules, CBAs, or official plan documents will prevail.
NOTE: Benefits for Term Limited Temporary (TLT) or Short Term Temporary (STT) positions, including leave eligibility and/or participation in the pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems, will vary based upon the terms and details of the position. Short Term Temporary positions are not eligible for an ORCA transit pass.
For inquiries about the specifics of this position, please contact the recruiter identified on this job posting.
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01Are you a registered as Substance Use Disorder Professional (formerly Chemical Dependency Professional) in Washington State?
- Yes
- No
02Do you have at least two years of recent, relevant work experience? Please provide your years of experience.03Do you have a valid Washington Driver's License and the ability to travel on a flexible schedule?- Yes
- No
04Describe your skills, experience and knowledge of anti-racism concepts and practices?05Describe your treatment philosophy and how you approach your work with clients.06Describe your skills, experience and knowledge of harm reduction concepts and practices.07Describe some of the challenges faced by people experiencing legal involvement, housing instability, poverty, substance use disorders or mental health diagnosis, and trauma brought on by discrimination and systemic oppression. How do these challenges affect the behavior, responses, and opportunities of people leaving jail?08What advice would you give to a colleague who is interested in working with someone with recent or ongoing criminal history?09Are you applying to this position as an eligible current or previous King County Employee Priority Placement Program Participant? Is this position the same or lower percentage of full-time when compared to the position held at the point of the notification of layoff? Do you possess the skills and abilities to qualify for this position?- Yes, I was given a layoff notice from my role at King County and I am within two years of the effective date of my layoff. Additionally, the position I was laid off from was the same or a higher percentage of FT status when compared to this one.
- No.
10If you answered yes to the question above and you are applying for this position as a Priority Placement Participant, to be considered, you must provide the following three pieces of information in the space provided: 1. The title you held when you received your layoff notice 2. The department you worked in 3. The effective date of your layoffRequired Question