New Credential Standards to Attract More Addictions Professionals

ALBANY, NY (12/16/2010)(readMedia)-- New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) Commissioner Karen M. Carpenter-Palumbo today announced changes in credentialing standards for addiction professionals that will open new doors to careers in one of the nation's fastest-growing professions.

The standards apply to professionals who are certified to provide alcohol and substance abuse prevention and counseling services and for counselors who treat individuals with problem gambling disorders. The U.S. Labor Department projects growth of 21 percent in the number of substance abuse and behavioral health disorder counselors by the year 2018.

Known as Part 853 – Credentialing of Addictions Professionals, these new regulatory standards will help elevate the visibility of professionals who work in the addictions field and provide greater access for persons working in related fields to pursue careers as credentialed prevention professionals/specialists, credentialed alcoholism and substance abuse counselors, or credentialed problem gambling counselors. New York currently has approximately 7,400 credentialed counselors statewide, but hopes to increase that number to 10,000 to meet the growing demand for addiction services.

"For the past four years, we have been promoting the addictions field as a profession of choice with a paid workforce of 22,000 and 13,000 volunteer professionals," Commissioner Carpenter-Palumbo said. "Now, with these new credentialing standards, we can provide opportunities for hundreds of individuals who've shown interest in addiction services, but have not been able to meet the narrowly defined work experience requirements that have been in place."

Part 853 – Credentialing of Addictions Professionals introduces a number of important new changes that are expected to draw the attention of potential job seekers, both at the entry level, as well as from those who are considering second career or post retirement employment opportunities. These include:

• Creation of a new professional credential for counselors who specialize in treating problem gambling disorders.

• Broadening the definition of "approved work setting" to ensure that individuals who work in related fields may earn qualifying work experience for an OASAS credential.

• Removing the 10-year limitation on qualifying education and work experience so that second career candidates and retired persons may pursue and become eligible for an OASAS credential.

• Granting six months of work experience credit for acquisition of an Associate's Degree in a Human Services field.

"The field of addictions is increasingly being recognized as a viable career option which is attracting the attention of young professionals, as well as older experienced workers, who are seeking new opportunities to apply their skills," said Commissioner Carpenter-Palumbo.

OASAS expects to see greater numbers of professionals entering the field and more opportunities for its credentialed professionals to work in other settings. This is consistent with the Talent Management focus the agency has promoted in its system to encourage the development, recruitment and retention of professional talent.

The new Part 853 regulations will also permit candidates to sit for the credentialing exams at the point they complete their educational requirements, rather than waiting up to three years to first satisfy the work experience requirements.

The Commissioner also announced today that beginning January 1, 2011. OASAS credentialing exams will be offered on a continuous basis as opposed to four times a year. This will assure significantly greater access to the OASAS credentialing process and accelerate the timeframe for credential candidates to qualify.

OASAS oversees one of the nation's largest addiction services systems dedicated to Prevention, Treatment and Recovery, with more than 1,550 programs serving over 110,000 New Yorkers on any given day. Credentialed Addiction Professionals continue to be crucial to address the needs of the 2.5 million New Yorkers suffering from drug, alcohol or gambling addiction. For more information on Credentialing, please call the OASAS Credentialing Unit at (518) 485-2056 or visit the OASAS website at www.oasas.state.ny.us.

Addiction is a chronic disease, but New Yorkers need to know that help and hope is available. Individuals can get help by calling the state's toll-free, 24-hour, 7-day a week HOPEline, 1-877-8-HOPENY, staffed by trained clinicians ready to answer questions, help refer loved ones to treatment and provide other vital resources to facilitate that first step into recovery.

For more information, please visit www.oasas.state.ny.us.

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