Substance Abuse Counselor Job Description
Substance abuse counselor
provides psychiatric and substance abuse clinical services including individual, family and group psychotherapy for a caseload of adults with a diverse range of mental health and substance abuse problems.
Substance Abuse Counselor Duties & Responsibilities
To write an effective substance abuse counselor job description, begin by listing detailed duties, responsibilities and expectations. We have included substance abuse counselor job description templates that you can modify and use.
Sample responsibilities for this position include:
Facilitates psycho-educational and behavior modification groups using principles of the “What Works” system
Conducts risk and need assessments and creates individual treatment plans for each assigned participant
Establishes and maintains relationships with outside referral sources, such as in-patient substance abuse facilities or detox facilities
Maintains accurate clinical documentation including intake summaries, group notes, discharge summaries, treatment plans and updates
Identifies problem areas that may impact participants’ ability to successfully complete treatment
Collects participants’ fees for program participation
Conducts risk/need assessments and creates individual treatment plans for each assigned participant
May maintain a specific substance abuse treatment case file for every program participant
Providing inmates or family members with information about addiction issues and about available services and programs
Must be able to collaborate and communicate with referring agencies, such as EAP professionals, private practitioners, probation officers, halfway house staff, primary care doctors, community mental health agencies
Substance Abuse Counselor Qualifications
Qualifications for a job description may include education, certification, and experience.
Licensing or Certifications for Substance Abuse Counselor
List any licenses or certifications required by the position: AOD, ACLS, BLS, CSAC, CADC, CPR, DOJ, NC, DHCS, IDEP
Education for Substance Abuse Counselor
Typically a job would require a certain level of education.
Employers hiring for the substance abuse counselor job most commonly would prefer for their future employee to have a relevant degree such as Bachelor's and Master's Degree in Counseling, Human Services, Social Work, Psychology, Health, Substance Abuse, Social Sciences, Education, Criminal Justice, Sociology
Skills for Substance Abuse Counselor
Desired skills for substance abuse counselor include:
New developments in the field of substance abuse
Twelve Step Program of Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous
Client record management
Cognitive behavioral approaches
Narcotics Anonymous
Twelve Step Program of Alcoholics Anonymous
Cognitive behavioral therapy programs
Ability to perform mental health assessments
Clinical file maintenance
Substance abuse therapy
Desired experience for substance abuse counselor includes:
Must be 21 years of age and posess a valid driver's license
Certified as an alcohol and drug (AOD) counselor with a certification recognized by the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS)
Have a minimum of one (1) year experience providing substance abuse treatment services to an offender population in a correctional setting
Certified as an alcohol and drug (AOD) counselor with a certification recognized by the State of Florida
Have a minimum of one (1) year experience providing substance abuse treatment services to an offender population
Certified in California as an Alcohol and Drug (AOD) Counselor with a certification recognized by the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS)
Substance Abuse Counselor Examples
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Substance Abuse Counselor Job Description
Job Description Example
Our company is growing rapidly and is searching for experienced candidates for the position of substance abuse counselor. We appreciate you taking the time to review the list of qualifications and to apply for the position. If you don’t fill all of the qualifications, you may still be considered depending on your level of experience.
Responsibilities for substance abuse counselor
- Conduct initial counseling psych/social evaluations including strengths, needs, abilities, preference for aftercare, addiction and development and psychiatric history and assessment
- Conduct daily individual counseling session with assigned case load (up to 12 patients) focusing on progress in treatment, needs and aftercare plans, arrangements with community based resources, legal, family, and discharge arrangements
- Conduct family discharge session
- Identify resources and refer patient to community service provider, PCP, on-going substance abuse detox or maintenance, and other sources of support and education
- Lead large group counseling sessions (20-30 patients) utilizing various counseling approaches and formats (didactic, interactive, engagement worksheets) on addiction topics such as relapse prevention, self-help, triggers, feelings, denial, and stress management
- Identify and complete all necessary releases to complete aftercare arrangements
- Develop a self-help plan for each patient including educatino and identification of local meetings
- Completes comprehensive assessment of clients’ substance abuse history and treatment requirements and develops individualized treatment plans
- Facilitates community meetings
- Serves as the lead staff member in substance abuse service
Qualifications for substance abuse counselor
- Prefer A.A
- The work environment and physical demands described below are representative of those that an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job
- Use of standard office equipment such as computer, keyboard, telephone, fax machine and copier
- Have a minimum of one (2) years experience providing substance abuse treatment services to an offender population
- Knowledge of addiction, chemical dependency, dual diagnosis, mental health, psychiatric diagnosis and the recovery process
- Ongoing education on psychiatric disorders, depression/anxiety/PTSD and their impact on addictions
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Substance Abuse Counselor Job Description
Job Description Example
Our company is looking to fill the role of substance abuse counselor. Thank you in advance for taking a look at the list of responsibilities and qualifications. We look forward to reviewing your resume.
Responsibilities for substance abuse counselor
- Assists the Program Director in daily administrative or support tasks
- Counsels inmates, individually and in group sessions, to assist in overcoming substance dependencies, adjusting to life, and making changes
- Completes and maintains accurate records and reports regarding the inmates' histories and progress, services provided, and other required information
- Develops individualized client treatment plans based on research, clinical experience, and client histories
- Reviews and evaluates clients' progress in relation to measurable goals described in treatment and care plans
- Interviews inmates, reviews records, and confers with other facility professionals to evaluate the inmate’s and physical condition and to determine their suitability for participation in specific programs
- Provides inmates or family members with information about addiction issues and about available services and programs, making appropriate referrals when necessary
- Modifies treatment plans to comply with changes in client status
- Provides relevant substance abuse information in a classroom-like environment
- Facilitates and co-facilitates educational presentations and group counseling on substance related matters
Qualifications for substance abuse counselor
- Must be able to pass a detailed background check
- Certification as a Certified Addiction Counselor based on the requirements of the state in which the position works in
- Graduated from an accredited college or university with a minimum B.A
- CADC, required
- CADC (Illinois Substance Abuse Certification) is required
- AOD credentials (California certfication)
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Substance Abuse Counselor Job Description
Job Description Example
Our growing company is looking for a substance abuse counselor. If you are looking for an exciting place to work, please take a look at the list of qualifications below.
Responsibilities for substance abuse counselor
- Maintains professional relationships with other substance abuse professionals, programs, and associations
- Participates in staff training
- Participates in program disciplinary activities for inmates
- Maintains inmate records storage area in a secure manner
- Assists in the development of inmate schedules
- Provides case management and individual and group counseling for an assigned caseload of inmates, create, update and maintain case records
- Utilizes crisis intervention techniques if an emergency situation arises
- Utilizes conflict resolution strategies
- Completes comprehensive assessment of inmates’ substance abuse history and treatment requirements and develops individualized treatment plan
- Collects statistics as required for reporting purposes
Qualifications for substance abuse counselor
- Working knowledge of support agencies such as Alcoholics Anonymous
- IV
- Licensed independent Arizona Substance Abuse Counselor (LISAC) is required
- Reports immediately to supervisor or Director
- Reports medical or safety concerns to the Director or RN in charge of
- A Master's Degree in Counseling Psychology, Social Work, or equivalent thereof
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Substance Abuse Counselor Job Description
Job Description Example
Our company is growing rapidly and is hiring for a substance abuse counselor. Thank you in advance for taking a look at the list of responsibilities and qualifications. We look forward to reviewing your resume.
Responsibilities for substance abuse counselor
- Participates in inmate classification hearings and program disciplinary activities for inmates
- Assists in the development of inmate schedules and inmate release planning
- Implements the Company's therapeutic community treatment model
- Prepares and submits all treatment and educational outlines, lectures, handouts and other relevant materials
- Maintains records and clinical charts as required by Company and client's contractual requirements
- Prepares schedules, reports, or other information required for the program
- Assesses client aftercare needs, issues and services
- Coordinates individual clinical care of assigned client caseload
- Maintains and updates resident client records and documents program in charts
- Facilitates of group therapy and utilizes appropriate treatment modalities in group sessions
Qualifications for substance abuse counselor
- Associate's Degree in counseling or human services and a minimum of two year's experience working with the substance abuse treatment population, or
- Bachelors, Degree in counseling or human services and a minimum of one year of experience working with the substance abuse treatment population, or
- Master's Degree in counseling or human services
- Experience working with a corrections population is desired
- Minimum of three year's experience counseling criminal justice population in a substance abuse population
- Associate degree and/or high school diploma
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Substance Abuse Counselor Job Description
Job Description Example
Our growing company is hiring for a substance abuse counselor. Please review the list of responsibilities and qualifications. While this is our ideal list, we will consider candidates that do not necessarily have all of the qualifications, but have sufficient experience and talent.
Responsibilities for substance abuse counselor
- Prepares and presents lectures as assigned
- Responsible for maintaining resident files and preparing necessary paperwork and documentation as required by the Department of Health, Department of Corrections, Corporation
- Attend staff meetings and clinical supervision as scheduled
- When assigned, transports residents by company vehicle to out-of-facility appointments
- Provides input to the Clinical Supervisor as to the current and future therapeutic/resident needs and issues
- Responsible for maintaining or receiving the minimum credentials required by the Department of Health
- Responsible for meeting the goals and objectives of the individual training plan and completing the training requirements of the staff development plan
- Functions and serves as a team member with treatment staff, clinical supervisor and support staff
- Enforces the facility rules of conduct with the residents
- Provide substance abuse counseling and recovery skills training
Qualifications for substance abuse counselor
- Associate of Arts or Associate of Sciences degree from a granting institution accredited by the WASC or equivalent and/or high school diploma or equivalent
- Additionally, applicants who have completed the Offender Mentor Certification Program (OMCP) and having obtained AOD Certification may be considered for this position
- Certification as a Certified Addiction Counselor based on the requirements of the state in which the position works in preferred
- Waivers for AOD certifications may be available to candidates who have registered with certification boards recognized by DHCS
- AOD certfication waivers may be available to candidates who have registered with the certifying agency recognized by DHCS
- AOD certification waivers may be available to candidates who have registered with the certification boards recognize by DHCS