Job Description

Substance Abuse Counselor

Working as a member of an interdisciplinary treatment team in an Intensive Ouptatient and Partial Hospitalization Facility, the Substance Abuse Counselor serves individuals with substance use disorders and co-occuring mental health disorders. The counselor provides initial program orientation, Assesses individuals’ substance use disorders. Assesses individual’s treatment needs and assists him/her to develop self-directed individual treatment goals.
Meets with individuals at established intervals to discuss progress toward goals. Works with the treatment team to identify unmet needs, review available resources, and suggest modifications to the treatment plan. Writes clear, concise, complete, grammatically correct, and timely progress notes that relate directly to the treatment outcomes described in the service plan. Completes discharge summaries and other documentation and reports accurately and timely. Assembles, analyzes, and interprets new/updated information about the client in order to reassess treatment needs.
Serve as case manager to facilitate and ensure communication, linkage, and continuity of care between clients, physicians, other organizational components, community resources and service providers. Establishes linkages and coordination of services with community agencies. Develops and maintains cooperative working relationships with community service providers. Informs clients and families of the availability of community advocacy and support groups.
With a focus on group dynamics and building a therapeutic milieu, counselor provides group, family, and individual counseling, psycho-education, skills-based training, and case management to individuals and their families/significant others. Designs counseling/education services that meet the individual needs of individuals served. Educates families/significant others on the addiction and recovery process and facilitates family support sessions as needed.

Your Responsibilities as a Substance Abuse Counselor:

  • Conduct individual counseling sessions as scheduled and documents as required;

  • Conduct group and/or family sessions as scheduled and documents as required;

  • May co-facilitate assigned group or family sessions;

  • Responsible for initial assessments, as well as follow up assessment, for patients;

  • Prepare an individual treatment plans for each assigned patient;

  • Ensure all documentation regarding patient care, treatment and incidents is completed timely and in a clear, concise manner;

  • May act as a liaison between referral sources and patients;

  • Provide crisis intervention to patients, as needed;

  • May plan for aftercare for assigned patients;

  • May act as a liaison with insurance carriers, as requested;

  • May provide case management duties for patients, ensuring individualized quality care;

  • Evaluate patient’ needs and determines if referrals to other programs or facilities are needed; and,

  • Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications | Education | Certifications:

  • Current addiction/substance abuse certification/license

  • CAC I, CACII, or higher preferred

  • Previous experience working with chemically dependent individuals a plus. Must demonstrate a positive, non-judgmental, and accepting attitude toward our patient population

Job Requirements

Your Skills and Qualifications as a Substance Abuse Counselor:

  • Bachelor's degree in social or health services field, with 2+ years exp in counseling field; or bachelor's degree in other field with 4+ years in the counseling field; master's degree in social or health services field, with 1 year professional work exp; degree must be from an accredited college or university.

  • The Certified Addiction Counselor provides professional substance abuse/mental health treatment relating to addiction and substance abuse, clinical case management and interventions for assigned clients.

A Drug & Alcohol Counselor is a specialized type of Counselor. Also known as: Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselor, Certified Drug and Alcohol Counselor, Addictions Counselor, Chemical Dependency Counselor, Substance Abuse Counselor, Drug and Alcohol Counsellor, Drug and Alcohol Counselor.

Typically, counselors work within a rigid program structure as determined by their employer. These programs are often implemented by facility managers and chiefs of staff. For example, the twelve step program may be used to treat alcohol addiction at a particular hospital or treatment facility where a counselor is employed.

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