About Job

Substance Abuse Counselor

Company Overview:

At River Edge Behavioral Health in Macon, GA, employees are expected to develop meaningful relationships with patients, establishing trust and making a difference in the lives of clients and their families. We believe in supporting our team as well as our clients with our comprehensive benefits package and a supportive work culture, including health, dental, and vision benefits, paid vacation, retirement plans, and more.

Position Overview:

River Edge Behavioral Health is currently seeking a compassionate and dedicated Substance Abuse Counselor to join our outpatient team serving adults with substance use disorders. This role plays a critical part in helping clients build and sustain a life of recovery through evidence-based, person-centered services.

Location/Schedule:

175 Emery Highway, Macon, Ga – Monday, Wednesday, Friday – (Primary daytime hours) Tuesday-8:30am-5:50pm & Thursday 8:30am-7:00pm.

Key Responsibilities:

Provide drug and alcohol counseling and support to individuals and their families.
Facilitate group counseling sessions, including process-oriented psychotherapy and educational groups focused on addiction and recovery.
Conduct confidential behavioral health assessments for substance use disorders and co-occurring conditions.
Use a strength-based, collaborative approach to support clients alongside the River Edge treatment team.
Offer clinical consultation to referral sources, mentors, family members, and others involved in the client’s recovery.
Model and encourage healthy coping strategies, wellness activities, and recovery-supportive behaviors.
Maintain accurate, up-to-date clinical records including case notes, treatment plan reviews, discharge summaries, and outcome surveys.
Enter required documentation into River Edge’s electronic medical records (EMR) system. Adhere to all federal, state, and professional ethical/legal guidelines.
Collaborate with the Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) team.
Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in a related field (e.g., social work, sociology, psychology).
Preferred: CAC I/II or CADC I/II certification.
OR: LMSW or LPC (or license-eligible) with at least two years of experience in addiction-related services.
Experience facilitating process groups and skills-based training sessions.

Competency:

Assessment and Evaluation: The Substance Abuse Counselor conducts thorough assessments to evaluate clients' substance abuse problems and mental health requirements, utilizing standardized assessment tools and conducting clinical interviews to gather pertinent information that informs treatment planning.
Education and Advocacy: The Substance Abuse Counselor educates clients and their families about the impact of substance abuse on mental health and overall well-being. Additionally, they raise awareness about substance abuse issues within the community through outreach activities.
Empathy: A successful Substance Abuse Counselor demonstrates empathy and compassion toward clients, fostering a supportive environment where individuals feel understood and accepted, regardless of their struggles.
Active Listening: By employing active listening techniques, such as paraphrasing and reflecting back content, counselors attentively tune in to clients' concerns and emotions, validating their experiences and building rapport.
Communication Skills: Effective communication lies at the core of counseling practice, as counselors articulate complex information in clear, accessible language, adapting their communication style to suit diverse clients' needs and backgrounds.
Self-Care and Resilience: Prioritizing self-care practices and seeking support from supervisors and peers, counselors safeguard their well-being, acknowledging the emotional demands of their work and cultivating resilience to navigate challenging situations effectively.