California is a great place to live, but that doesn’t mean that residents are immune to the havoc that drug abuse and alcohol addiction cause. California saw nearly 6,000 deaths from opioid abuse alone in 2020. With statistics like these, it’s critical that the state has resources to help stem the problem of drug addiction.
One of the best ways to help people with substance abuse is through counseling. If you want to make your mark in this incredible field, then CCAPP certification is a great way to get your foot in the door. Do you want to know everything you can do with this valuable certification?
Read on to find out!
What Is CCAPP Certification?
The CCAPP is the California Consortium of Addiction Programs and Professionals. It was established to help connect substance abuse treatment agencies throughout the state of California. It’s currently California’s largest organization in that area, with over 12,000 members and 500 different programs.
In order to become a member of the CCAPP, you need to become certified. The goal of this certification is to ensure that practitioners are up to date on the latest practices in the field of substance abuse treatment. CCAPP certification gives practitioners an edge over their competitors, and it makes them far more employable.
It’s important to note that CCAPP certification alone does not qualify you for every job in the substance abuse treatment field. For example, if you want to become a substance abuse counselor, you must complete a degree program before you can practice.
Therefore, CCAPP certification is a great way to augment your skillset.
Substance Abuse Counselor
Substance abuse counselors are incredibly important in the recovery process. They’re the primary person that people in recovery lean on in order to get clean and process their feelings toward addiction.
The primary role of a substance abuse counselor is to provide counseling to patients. They also play a major role in the education of the families of those in recovery. The counselor provides information and resources to the family members so they can help their loved ones through the recovery process once they leave rehab.
Substance abuse counselors work in both inpatient and outpatient settings.
People who wish to pursue this career path need to have a bachelor’s degree in psychology, sociology, or public health. You’ll also need additional training in counseling, and at least two years of supervised experience working with people with substance use disorders.
Clinical Director
If you prefer to look at the bigger picture rather than working one-on-one with clients, then a job as a clinical director may be right for you. Clinical directors lead a team of staff at a substance abuse treatment center, including counselors, nurses, and social workers.
One of the biggest tasks that clinical directors take on is implementing and evaluating the programs in place at a treatment center. Without this critical oversight, patient care can go downhill pretty quickly. On top of that, clinical directors are in charge of hiring, training, and supervising staff, and ensuring that the treatment center is in compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
Most people in this role have a master’s degree. You may also need to seek licensure in order to qualify for this position.
Program Director
A program director functions much like a clinical director. They are mental health professionals who work in both public and private substance abuse programs and oversee the program.
Administrative tasks are major in this role. You’ll need to ensure that the program meets the standards set by the state. If your city or county has additional standards, then you’ll need to meet those as well.
You’ll hold meetings with your staff members and discuss the cases you currently have. This gives professionals the opportunity to bounce treatment ideas off of someone else in order to provide quality care to patients. It’ll help you provide oversight of the entire program and ensure that you’re in compliance with laws and regulations.
Like clinical directors, program directors have at least a bachelor’s degree. Master’s degrees are preferable if you want the strongest chance of landing one of these roles.
Registered Nurse
You might be surprised to learn that substance abuse programs require medical professionals on staff to ensure the health and safety of their patients. Drug addiction is more than a mental dependency. Withdrawal symptoms, even from alcohol, are fierce and require medical supervision.
That’s where registered nurses come in. Nurses monitor patients, check their vital signs, and administer medications. With a CCAPP certification, registered nurses are specially qualified to work in drug treatment centers.
Registered nurses have a minimum of a bachelor’s degree. They also participate in a clinical rotation during their education. Finally, registered nurses are licensed by the state.
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Mental health counseling and guidance comes from a variety of sources. Apart from counselors, licensed clinical social workers are a valuable member of any substance abuse program’s staff. Apart from counseling, LCSWs help patients and their families connect with valuable programs and resources to help them succeed.
LCSWs have a minimum of a master’s degree. They’re also required to take a state licensing exam and receive supervised training.
Are You Considering CCAPP Certification?
Substance abuse is a significant issue in California and the United States as a whole. Seeking out CCAPP certification is an excellent way for you to grow your career. The job may not always be easy, but it’ll be full of rewards.
Are you in need of more awesome ways to enhance your career? We can help you out with that. Take some time to look through the rest of our blog for tons of helpful career advice.
