SAMI TEAM
TEAM LEADER
The SAMI team leader is
responsible for building and maintaining the treatment team. He or she fulfills a
multifaceted role that combines interpersonal, administrative, and clinical skills. The
team leader meets one-on-one with team members, leads team meetings, facilitates ongoing
clinical training, and represents the team at administrative meetings. Some team leaders
also maintain a small caseload to keep themselves in touch with clinical and programmatic
issues that affect consumers, caregivers, and treatment team members.
This section of the Web site is designed as a general overview of the role of the SAMI team leader.
TEAM BUILDING
The SAMI team leader typically shares responsibility of recruiting and training members of the treatment team with other agency administrators. Here is a general outline of the various components and stages of team growth and development:
- identify the desired skills of team members
- write job descriptions
- recruit and interview candidates
- select new staff
- orient and train new staff
- facilitate communication
- manage stress
- encourage growth
- set and achieve team goals
TEAM MEETINGS
In these meetings, team members review the status of consumer
treatment plans, problem solve about difficult cases, discuss clinical issues and
treatment approaches, and periodically host consumers to take part in the discussions.
Ideally, all members of the treatment team are present, either in person or via
teleconferencing. At least one team member with experience in addictions counseling is
always present. During team meetings, it is the role of the team leader to:
- encourage communication between individual team members
- maintain cohesion during times of disagreement and
conflict
- strive for consensus about treatment strategies
- direct all discussions toward the treatment goals that consumers and caregivers have
set with the treatment team
ONE-ON-ONE MEETINGS
These meetings take place formally and informally in the workplace between the team leader and team members. The meetings are designed to discuss consumer experiences, especially crises and relapse, and to discuss the clinician’s reactions to and experiences with the consumers. The meetings are intended to
- clarify questions
- resolve confusion
- identify solutions
- manage stress
- maximize clinician’s responses to consumer and
caregiver needs
- identify team issues
- identify clinical issues
- identify systems issues
SYSTEMS MEETINGS
At these inter- and intra-agency meetings, the team leader
reviews administrative procedures--such as billing, paperwork, and case records--with
agency directors and county-level board representatives. The team leader represents the
treatment team’s concerns about administrative procedures and resources and works on
their behalf to reduce barriers to efficient and effective service delivery.
STAFF DEVELOPMENT
This is an ongoing process. Team leaders design the
staff-development process to include a variety of mechanisms that introduce team members
to new clinical skills and help them sharpen existing skills. A staff-development meeting
is one of those mechanisms. Examples of clinical skills include reflective listening,
cognitive behavioral strategies, and motivational interviewing.
The staff-development meetings utilize presentations, discussions, and role-playing to
enhance each practitioner’s interaction with consumers and caregivers. Team leaders
either conduct meetings themselves or use the meetings to facilitate the training
activities of consultants.
SURVIVAL TECHNIQUES
The role of the team leader requires regular interaction with
consumers, caregivers, team members, and administrators at the agency and county levels.
It also requires continuous knowledge of new research results and clinical practice
techniques. Each team leader develops a unique style and method for managing multiple
tasks, time, and the stress associated with having to respond to many demands. The SAMI
CCOE does not prescribe one style or method for managing stress. Rather, it encourages
team leaders to find personal approaches and techniques that work for them. A good source
of information can be your Ohio peer network. Connect to that network by signing up for
the Listserve that pertains to you. A Listserve is an e-mail messaging service. Click on
the icon to the right.
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