State of Maryland

The PSCS Alcohol and Drug (A/D) Supervised Counselor is the full performance level of work, at the Certified Associate’s Degree level, counseling clients with substance use disorders by using intervention, treatment and rehabilitation in the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services (PSCS).  Employees in this classification do not supervise other PSCS Alcohol and Drug Counselors.  

Employees in this classification receive general supervision from a PSCS Alcohol and Drug Professional Counselor Supervisor or other supervisor approved by the Board of Professional Counselors and Therapists.  Employees in this classification may be required to work evenings and weekends.  The work is performed in addictions programs located in State institutions and facilities, such as jails, detention centers, prisons, halfway house facilities and community-based programs.              

Positions in this classification are evaluated using the classification job evaluation methodology.  The use of this method involves comparing the assigned duties and responsibilities of a position to the job criteria found in the Nature of Work and Examples of Work sections of the class specification.  

The PSCS Alcohol and Drug Supervised Counselor and PSCS Alcohol and Drug Supervised Counselor Provisional are differentiated on the basis of certification status and supervisory control exercised by the supervisor over these employees.  The PSCS Alcohol and Drug Supervised Counselor is certified and performs the full range of duties and responsibilities under general supervision.  The PSCS Alcohol and Drug Supervised Counselor Provisional is noncertified and learns to perform duties under close supervision.

Provides counseling and case management services to clients with substance use disorders with the least complex problems as defined by standard treatment criteria;

Screens clients with substance use disorders to determine the most appropriate initial course of action with regard to substance treatment;

Assesses clients with substance use disorders to gather and interpret information necessary for planning treatment and evaluating client progress;

Develops client treatment plans and strategies to obtain the desired treatment outcomes;

Makes referrals to facilitate the client's use of available support systems and community resources in response to needs identified in clinical evaluation;

Responds to clients in crises;

Provides life skills education relevant to the recovery process to clients with substance use disorders, their families, significant others and community groups;

Documents client-related information in accordance with accepted principles of client record management;

Adheres to accepted ethical and behavioral standards of conduct and participates in continuing professional development; 

Performs other related duties.

Knowledge of the established diagnostic criteria for substance use disorders, treatment modalities and placement criteria within the continuum of care;

Knowledge of models and theories of addiction and other problems related to substance use;

Knowledge of the social and cultural context within which addiction and substance abuse exist;

Knowledge of the effects of psychoactive substances on the user and their families and significant others;

Knowledge of ethical and behavioral standards of conduct in the helping relationship;

Knowledge of principles of learning and a variety of educational techniques;

Knowledge of helping strategies for reducing the negative effects of substance use, abuse and dependence;

Knowledge of support systems and community resources available to clients, their families and their significant others;      

Knowledge of federal, State, local and agency policies and procedures governing the delivery of treatment services;

Ability to establish and maintain working relationships with other professionals and agencies;    

Ability to establish and maintain a therapeutic relationship with clients with substance use disorders and their families and significant others;

Ability to make constructive therapeutic responses when the client's behavior is inconsistent with stated recovery goals;

Ability to accurately document client information.    

Education:  Determined by the Maryland State Board of Professional Counselors and Therapists under the requirements for  Certified Supervised Counselors-Alcohol and Drug.  

Experience:   Determined by the Maryland State Board of Professional Counselors and Therapists under the requirements for Certified Supervised Counselors-Alcohol and Drug.

1. In accordance with Health Occupations Title 17 and Code of Maryland Regulations 10.58.07, candidates appointed to positions in this classification must be eligible for and obtain certification by the Board of Professional Counselors as a Certified Supervised Counselor prior to permanent appointment.  

2. Employees in this classification may be assigned duties which require the operation of a motor vehicle. Employees assigned such duties will be required to possess a motor vehicle operator's license valid in the State of Maryland.

1. Employees in this classification are subject to substance abuse testing in accordance with Code of Maryland Regulations 17.04.09, Testing for Illegal Use of Drugs.    

2. Employees in this classification perform the work in a Joint Commission for the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) or a Maryland State certified addictions program.

Class specifications are broad descriptions covering groups of positions used by various State departments and agencies.  Position descriptions maintained by the using department or agency specifically address the essential job functions of each position.  

This is a Professional Service classification in the State Personnel Management System.  All positions in this classification are Professional Service positions.  Some positions in Professional Service classifications may be designated Special Appointment in accordance with the State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 6-405.  

This classification is assigned to bargaining unit D, Health and Human Service Nonprofessional classes.  As provided by the State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 3-102, special appointment, temporary, contractual, supervisory, managerial and confidential employees are excluded from collective bargaining.  Additionally, certain executive branch agencies are exempt from collective bargaining and all positions in those agencies are excluded from collective bargaining.

Employees in this classification are eligible to receive overtime compensation.  An employee who works more than the normal workweek is entitled to be compensated for that overtime as provided by the State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 8-305, Annotated Code of Maryland.