LEVELS AND REQUIREMENTS FOR CERTIFICATION

Counselor Technician (CT)

This is an entry-level certification.  The certificate holder is limited to a scope of practice requiring supervision by a certified chemical dependency counselor.

Requirements:  A minimum of 96 contact training hours addressing the following competencies and knowledge upon application for certification at this level:

·        Ethics - 4 hours

·        Confidentiality - 4 hours

·        Infectious diseases and HIV/AIDS - 8 hours

·        CPR/First Aid - 8 hours    

·        Introduction to Addictive Behaviors – 8  hours 

·        Introduction to Counseling - 16 hours

·        Cross Cultural Diversity - 16 hours 

·        Crisis Intervention - 8 hours    

·        Documentation - 8 hours

·        Introduction to Community Resources - 8 hours

·        Recovery, Health, Wellness & Self-Care - 8 hours

Chemical Dependency Counselor Level I (CDC I)

Experience:

Two (2) years full time work experience with increasingly specialized experience in chemical dependency treatment.  A Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field (BS/BA, BSW, social sciences, nursing, psychology, sociology, etc) may be submitted for consideration as a substitute for one (1) year of the two (2) years of required experience. 

Requirements:

A minimum of 270 approved contact training hours addressing knowledge and skills listed in the counselor competency (OR) a combination of trainings and educational credits addressing the counselor competency requirement which can be evaluated for approval by the Commission.

·        Clinical Evaluation

·        Treatment Planning

·        Referral

·        Service Coordination

·        Counseling

·        Client, Family and Community Education

·        Documentation

·        Understanding Addiction

·        Treatment Knowledge

·        Professional Readiness

·        Application to Practice

·        Confidentiality and Ethical Responsibilities

Specific Training Requirements:

Ethics and Confidentiality MUST be completed within 2 years of the current application. 

Practicum/Internship:

Completion of a 150 hour supervised practicum by a certified chemical dependency counselor (with certification at a level higher than that of applicant), with a minimum of 15 hours in each of the following professional practice dimensions:

·        Screening/Intake/Orientation

·        Assessment

·        Treatment Planning

·        Counseling & Intervention Counseling

·        Case Management/Service Coordination

·        Crisis Intervention

·        Client, Family & Community Education

·        Information & Referral/Community References

·        Documentation (Case Reports)

·        Clinical Consultation

Chemical Dependency Counselor II (CDC II)

Experience:

Three (3) years full time work experience with increasingly specialized experience in chemical dependency treatment.  Each Bachelor of Arts or Science (or higher degree) may be submitted as consideration for one year substitution of requirement experience for up to two (2) years of the three (3) years of required experience. (AND)

Training:

A minimum of 270 approved contact training hours (with a minimum of 96 from the CT-level certification requirements) addressing knowledge and skills listed in the counselor competency (OR) a combination of trainings and educational credits addressing the counselor competency requirement which can be evaluated for approval by the Commission.

·        Understanding Addiction

·        Treatment Knowledge

·        Application to Practice

·        Professional Readiness

·        Clinical Evaluation

·        Treatment Planning

·        Referral

·        Service Coordination

·        Counseling

·        Client, Family and Community Education

·        Documentation

·        Professional and Ethical Responsibilities

Specific Training Requirements:

Ethics/Confidentiality should be within 2 years prior to application.  

Practicum/Internship:

Completion of a 300 hour supervised practicum by a chemical dependency counselor, with a minimum of 15 hours in each of the following professional practice dimensions:

·        Screening/Intake/Orientation

·        Assessment

·        Treatment Planning

·        Counseling & Intervention Counseling

·        Case Management/Service Coordination

·        Crisis Intervention

·        Client, Family & Community Education

·        Information & Referral/Community References

·        Documentation (Case Reports)

·        Clinical Consultation

Chemical Dependency Clinical Supervisor (CDCS)

Experience:

Five (5) years of full-time work experience in chemical dependency counseling supervised by either a certified Counselor II (CDC II) or certified Clinical Supervisor (CDCS)  OR

A bachelor’s degree or higher in a Human Services area: chemical dependency, social work, rehabilitation, clinical/counseling psychology, social services may substitute for one year of required work experience.

YOU MAY NOT USE COURSES OBTAINED UNDER YOUR DEGREE FOR THE REQUIRED 270 HOURS OF EMPLOYMENT-SPECIFIC PRACTICUM HOURS

Supervisory Requirements:

Two (2) years of documented clinical supervisory experience in the field of chemical dependency. These two (2) years may be included in the total five (5) years of required work experience.  AND

Training:

All specified training required at the level of CT, CDC I and CDC II plus a minimum of 30 contact training hours of Commission approved training in clinical supervision addressing the professional practice dimensions. These contact training hours must include clinical and managerial training that addresses family systems, culturally sensitive services and dual diagnosis. Clinical training includes: supervisor and employee relationships, discipline method, clinical evaluation performance and clinical policy development.  Managerial training includes: implementation of federal and state regulations, administrative aspects of supervision and instructional and educational aspects of supervision.   AND

Additional Requirements:

Alaska Chemical Dependency Counselor II certification (CDC II) and three (3) written professional references related to competencies. The references must be from professional affiliates who are familiar with the applicant’s work as a clinical supervisor, and at least one of whom has supervised the applicants work as a clinical supervisor.  These references are in addition to those used for other levels of certification.

Administrator (ADM)

Experience:

Five (5) years (10,000 hours) full-time experience in administration or management of a chemical dependency program. This includes any program in the continuum of care such as prevention, training, evaluation, treatment and long-term care programs.  At least one of the five years experience must be in a state or federally approved program.   OR

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university and three years of work experience with two at the supervisory level;

Training:

A minimum of 118 contact training hours in Commission-approved training. The training requirements for this level of certification are the same as for CD Counselor I.

Documentation:

The applicant must submit at least three (3) letters of reference citing the specific competencies as an administrator in a chemical dependency or behavioral health program. At least one reference must be from a source of direct supervision for the candidate, the remainder must be from individuals who are professionally affiliated with the candidate’s work. The applicant should include a job description and/or criteria based evaluation for his/her position. The applicant’s position in the organizational chart should also be defined.

Traditional Counselor (TC)

The ACBHC has defined Traditional Counselors as “Individuals who are Native Alaskan and / or who have been raised with traditional native values and who lived in harmony with these values, who have long years of voluntary service earning them the recognition of their people as a source of traditional knowledge and wisdom as a positive force in resolving community substance abuse issues”.

In order to be considered, this application must be accompanied by three (3) letters of recommendation detailing, in narrative form, the following qualities and characteristics of the nominee:

·        Caring and empathic individual;

·        Active member of village organizations which deal with substance abuse problems;

·        Identified as village and regional resource person;

·        Credible and respected in their culture;

·        Seen as positive role model;

·        Aftercare resource to rural Alaska programs;

·        Outreach and prevention worker in their community;

·        Volunteer;

·        Requested speaker in other villages;

·        Outspoken advocate of their people;

·        Able to influence other’s behavior through traditional methods and values;

·        Effective speaker.

Reciprocity

ACBHC accepts current counselor certification by another certifying body, such as a state certifying affiliate of the National Association of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors (NAADAC) or other similar nationally recognized organization.

Re-Certification

Re-Certification occurs at the end of the certification period.  A certificate holder may apply for a six-month grace period to meet the re-certification requirements by paying a late fee of $50.00.  The $50.00 late fee for re-certification is due before the certificate expires.  

If a certificate holder does not reapply before the certificate expires, the certification will become expired and the individual will need to meet current standards and pay all applicable fees as if the individual was completing a new application.

Renewal applicants must submit proof of 4 hours of Ethics and 4 hours of Confidentiality training every two years.