Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon

Upon completion of the course students will be able to:

• Implement an academic plan that will facilitate their movement into practicum on the date they have targeted for entry.
• Implement an action plan that will result in being eligible for addiction counseling certification.
• Build a cover letter and resume that is specific to addiction treatment.
• Utilize job search and interview skills, including knowledge of requirements, appropriate to an addiction treatment setting. 

ACTIVITIES

Outcome 1: All participants will have a clear understanding of the purposes and structure of the Alcohol/Drug Counselor practicum requirement.
A. The student will demonstrate a clear understanding of A&D Program requirements for documentation while they are earning practicum credits.
B. The student will clearly define the overlap between PCC program requirements and the requirements for the Addiction Counselor Certification Board of Oregon (ACCBO) CADC I examination.
C. The student will produce a document detailing the range of care and usual job task options in Portland area treatment agencies.
Outcome 2: Students will demonstrate appropriate entry-level writing skills by producing an alcohol/drug specific cover letter, resume, and an updated academic plan. Each student will:
A. Meet with Perkins advisor to update student’s academic plan.
B. Meet with Career Services staff to complete resume & cover letter, then submit to instructor.
C. Post resume & cover letter to Career Connections
Outcome 3: Each student will enter their first site “workforce ready.”
A. Each student will list and define five common elements of employee workforce readiness.
B. Each student will list and define the most common problems encountered by
employers in regard to workforce readiness.
C. Student will complete a document assessing his or her own level of
workforce readiness.
D. Students will develop an individual plan to address their workforce
readiness issues.
Outcome 4: Each participant will understand how to effectively utilize clinical supervision.
A. Each student will complete an inventory of their experiences with and
attitudes toward authority figures.
B. Each student will list and define the five most common issues faced by beginning counselors and how clinical supervision can assist in dealing with them.
C. Each student will develop a template agenda form to assist them in planning for weekly clinical supervision.
Outcome 5: The student will understand the requirements for Criminal History checks and expungement of criminal records.
A. Student will list contact persons, document requirements, and timelines for the required history check.
B. Student will list and/or describe contact information, document requirements, and outline the process for expungement of criminal records.
Student will outline how criminal history requirements differ from one employer to another and how this may affect them individually.

Complete acceptable addiction-counseling specific cover letter & resume.
Complete personal assessment related to workforce readiness.
A complete outline and description of the purpose of, and and processes required for, successful completion of 18 practicum credits is submitted and approved.
Submit acceptable clinical supervision planning documents.
Complete and accurate summary of the criminal history check and expungement requirements.
 

Themes: Importance of timely processes and documentation.
Understanding of clinical supervision, its purpose and effective utilization of it.
Workforce readiness skills
Criminal history and expungement process: requirements and steps.