SUD Counselor - MLK BHC Residential

HealthRIGHT 360 gives hope, builds health, and changes lives for people in need by providing comprehensive, integrated, compassionate care that includes primary medical care, mental health services, and substance use disorder treatment.

HealthRIGHT 360 offers residential treatment services designed to serve individuals and families with substance use disorders and co-occurring mental health disorders. Our program helps clients address addiction and related issues, increase skills, manage stressors, connect to supportive service, and build a foundation for lasting recovery. Residential programs run 24/7 and Individual and group therapy, family therapy, individualized case management, treatment planning, drug and alcohol counseling, Medication support services, and crisis intervention.

Benefits and perks:

• HR360 offers a robust benefits package, including PTO, 15 paid holidays, commuter benefits, retirement plans, and more!
• Employees qualify for public loan forgiveness programs
• Training and professional development opportunities
• Work with mission driven, compassionate colleagues and make a difference every day in the work that you do.

This is a union eligible position.

JOB SUMMARY
HealthRIGHT 360, a nonprofit organization and a family of programs, is committed to providing accessible and comprehensive healthcare services to vulnerable populations. Our mission is to tackle systemic barriers to healthcare and promote health equity for all. We offer a wide range of services, including mental health care, residential and outpatient substance use treatment, and primary health services. Additionally, we provide transitional support for individuals re-entering the community after involvement in the criminal justice system. By integrating physical and behavioral health, we empower individuals to overcome challenges by addressing social determinants of health, fostering resilience, and facilitating recovery.

The Martin Luther King Jr. Behavioral Health Center (MLK BHC) is a program of HealthRIGHT 360 and is contracted with the Department of Public Health's Substance Abuse Prevention and Control (SAPC) program. MLK BHC offers residential Drug Medi-Cal (DMC) services for a maximum of 99 adult individuals, comprising 33 beds each for judicially involved men, men, and women. MLK BHC collaborates closely with other Behavioral Health Center programs to ensure a comprehensive range of services for low-income and Medi-Cal-eligible individuals. Situated on the Martin Luther King Jr. Hospital campus in the Willowbrook area of South Los Angeles, the program serves residents of all Los Angeles County.

The SUD Counselor I is a vital member of an interdisciplinary team, providing client-centered in-person support on an as-needed basis to ensure continuity of care. This role helps fill critical gaps in service delivery, supporting clients in maintaining progress in their treatment and recovery journey. Responsibilities include assessing clients' needs and strengths, providing individual and group counseling, facilitating evidence-based curricula in accordance with program-specific requirements, and offering case management services. The Counselor also assists clients in navigating systems of care while fostering a safe, supportive, and therapeutic environment.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Treatment Setting

• Facilitate group counseling sessions and community meetings.
• Proactively link clients to both internal and external resources based on their treatment needs.
• Teach classes on treatment-related topics to assist clients in meeting their treatment goals.
• Collaborate with each client and other available internal and external resources to develop/maintain treatment plans, transition plans, progress notes and appropriate updates in support of the health and recovery needs of the client.
• Perform crisis intervention and communicate with the treatment team.
• Follow up on clients' treatment progress.
• Monitor and document client medication administration.
• Ensure secure storage and proper accounting of client medications.
• Accompany clients to offsite appointments as needed.
• Assign client duties and sign off upon completion.
• Motivate clients to fulfill their weekly obligations.
• Support intake process and maintain supplies.
• Collect, clean, or dispose of biohazard waste.
• Disinfect and clean rooms and common areas.

Safety and Security

• Maintain safety and security of clients in the facility.
• Perform periodic house runs.
• Perform property and room searches.
• Respond to medical emergencies including overdoses.
• Perform substance use tests such as urinalysis and breathalyzer.
• Observe clients and maintain observation logs.

Documentation

• Document group and individual counseling sessions in a timely manner per program and/or contract requirements.
• Accurately enter data in electronic systems. Document client updates and incidents daily.
• All documentation must be maintained in accordance with guidelines established by HealthRIGHT 360 to satisfy internal and external evaluating requirements.
• Complete discharge paperwork and agency assessments.
• Maintain weekly logs of client contacts.
• Read and respond to communications in a timely manner.

Administration and Other Responsibilities

• Attend meetings and actively participate.
• Meet residential service delivery goals.
• Plan and facilitate celebrations and special events.
• Work on weekends and holidays as needed.
• Complete assigned training on time.
• Maintain full compliance with credential requirements.

And perform other assigned duties.

QUALIFICATIONS
Education, Certification, or Licensure

• High school diploma or equivalent required. Bachelor’s degree in Health and Human Services, Social Work, Psychology, or other related field preferred.
• Registration as a Substance Use Disorder Counselor from an accredited California agency (CCAPP, CAADE, CADTP).
• Valid First Aid and CPR certification.

Experience

• Experience as a registered substance abuse or behavioral disorder counselor or recovery specialist in community mental health setting preferred.
• Bilingual preferred.

Must complete background check and livescan clearance.

We will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.