Job title Substance Abuse Counselor

Reports to Counselor Supervisor, Medical Director and/or Executive Director

Job purpose

Are you passionate about helping individuals on their journey to recovery? We're looking for a skilled and empathetic Substance Use Counselor to join our team. This is a meaningful opportunity to make a lasting impact in your community. The primary role of the counselor will be to facilitate groups, enter appropriate documentation, work with the individual patients in developing goals, treatment plans and helping patient complete their goals. Our substance abuse counselors are a support system for people with drug and alcohol problems and other behavioral issues.

They teach individuals how to modify their behavior with the intention of full recovery.

Because clients are susceptible to relapses, substance abuse counselors work with clients on an on-going basis.

Duties and responsibilities

• Engage clients for both substance use disorders as well as co-occurring mental health disorders in both an individual and group setting.
• Identify issues and create goals and treatment plans
• Teach clients coping mechanisms
• Lead group therapy sessions.
• Assist in the development of specific group therapy including but not necessarily limited to gender specific groups, substance specific (i.e. alcohol, stimulant, cannabis) groups and groups focusing on co-occurring disorders as the need may arise
• Provide updates and progress reports to courts
• Refer clients to support groups
• Set up aftercare plans
• Timely completion of patient paperwork. Clinical record will be complete, accurate and completed ideally within 3(three) days of encounter.
• Communicate with other clinical staff including physicians as to the status of clients to optimize their treatment
• Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team to support client wellness and recovery.
• Attend and participate in staff meetings
• Maintain state required certifications and licenses.
• Attend required training for keeping abreast of new knowledge and techniques related to the practice of social work and new substance abuse treatment modalities.
• Perform quality management/assurances activities, as applicable.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Human Service field from accredited college
• Licensed as a Mental Health Practitioner (LMHP) in the State of Vermont
• Licensed as an Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LADC) in the State of Vermont
• Demonstrated ability to provide quality program interventions and coordination to mental health and chemically dependent clientele
• Counseling experience with patients with addiction in a group setting strongly preferred.
• Experience with individual therapy approaches such as CBT, DBT, Motivational Interviewing, or other relevant modalities.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Facility/experience with electronic medical records
• Commitment to ethical and culturally competent care.
• Time management and organizational skills.

Job Types: Full-time, Part-time

Pay: $40,000.00 - $55,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance

Work Location: In person