Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

POSITION DESCRIPTION FOR JOB POSTING

Position Number:  00307408

Description Activated On:  7/20/2026 2:56:33 PM

Position Purpose: Describe the primary purpose of this position and how it contributes to the organization’s objectives. Example: Provides clerical and office support within the Division to ensure its operations are conducted efficiently and effectively. 

 The Drug and Alcohol Treatment Specialist (DATS-2) provides co-occurring treatment on assigned forensic and/or civil Stepdown units for dual diagnoses individuals who currently, or in the past, have involvement in the legal justice system. The DATS-2 provides direct co-occurring service care to patients on assigned units, offering the highest quality of treatment and therapeutic opportunities to enhance the quality of patients' lives and support individuals in the process of their recovery.

Description of Duties: Describe in detail the duties and responsibilities assigned to this position. Descriptions should include the major end result of the task. Example: Types correspondence, reports, and other various documents from handwritten drafts for review and signature of the supervisor.

Under the direction of a licensed psychologist director or psychology department supervisor performs a variety of clinical duties as Drug and Alcohol Treatment Specialist. The DATS-2 provides services under supervision such as group and individual therapy and co-occurring assessments as assigned. Serves as a member of the multi-disciplinary treatment team. Works with patients depending on the current assignment. Works with director or supervisor to assess the needs of patients at NSH and:
1. Plans, develops and conducts co-occurring group therapy programs on multiple units. Utilizes evidence-based approaches in treatment.
2. Conducts individual therapy based on identification of patient need and/or referral from treatment team.
3. Particpates in treatment team meetings for co-occurring patients.
4. Performs all job duties in compliance with Department of Psychology and Quality Assurance/Performance Improvement standards.
5. Completes biopsychosocial mental illness/substance use assessments (MISA) with patients referred by the treatment team as needing drug and/or alcohol treatment services.
6. Maintains records such as progress notes and MISA assessments according to NSH and psychology department standards.
7. Coordinates with local Alcoholics and Narcotics Anonymous agencies in maintaining weekly AA and NA meetings at NSH.
8. Participates in professional training by attending CE programs in order to maintain professional competence.
9. Maintains engagement in departmental activities such as department meetings, departmental training, participating in any voluntary committees or workgroups.
10. Demonstrates cultural competence--an awareness of one's own culture and respect for the client's culture, world view and belief system.
11. Completes departmental and annual hospital trainings.
12. Performs other related duties and special projects as assigned. Purpose and standards will be given at the time of each assignment.
13. Ability to complete documentation in Electronic Health Records system.

Addresses and resolves routine co-occurring patient care issues directly as they arise. Poblems that have the potential for wider impact (i.e., those that involve other disciplines) or those that are outside of the scope of the DATS-2's area of expertise are addressed in consultation with the psychology director or supervisor.

Decision Making: Describe the types of decisions made by the incumbent of this position and the types of decisions referred to others. Identify the problems or issues that can be resolved at the level of this position, versus those that must be referred to the supervisor. Example: In response to a customer inquiry, this work involves researching the status of an activity and preparing a formal response for the supervisor’s signature.

1. Treatment decisions:
a. Most appropriate drug and alcohol treatment interventions for individual patients
b. Format and topics for drug and alcohol treatment interventions
c. Assessment decisions: biopsychosocial MISA assessments for referred patients

Requirements Profile: Identify any specific experience or requirements, such as a licensure, registration, or certification, which may be necessary to perform the functions of the position. Position-specific requirements should be consistent with a Special Requirement or other criteria identified in the classification specification covering this position. Example: Experience using Java; Professional Engineer License

Experience:



Licenses, registrations, or certifications:

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Essential Functions: Provide a list of essential functions for this position. Example: Transports boxes weighing up to 60 pounds.
 
 1. Assesses co-occurring treatment needs
 2. Plans, develop and implement drug & alcohol treatment programs
 3. Completes co-occurring/MISA assessments
 4. Functions as a member of the multi-disciplinary treatment team and maintains effective working relationships
 5. Provides treatment and intervention recommendations based upon assessment and observation of the individual patient
 6. Collaborate with Alcoholics and Narcotics Anonymous in maintaining weekly meetings at NSH
 7. Mobility to access treatment areas in multiple buildings and units
 8. Complete required annual trainings (i.e., Mandt crisis prevention, CPR certification, Infection Control, Safety, etc.)
 9. Mobility/able to ambulate from office to unit on a daily basis and to other buildings as needed.
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