SUD Counselor l or ll (Youth)

As part of the Program’s Treatment Team, the Adolescent Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Counselor provides evidence-based individual and group counseling services to youth and adolescent patients participating in the Program, as well as to their families and support systems.

Utilizing a patient-centered, trauma-informed, harm-reduction, and developmentally appropriate approach, the counselor delivers care in compliance with Oregon Administrative Rules (OARs) governing outpatient and residential SUD treatment programs.

The Adolescent SUD Counselor also functions as a community liaison for youth-centered behavioral health services and recovery resources.

Education and/or Experience Requirements

• Education: High School Diploma (or equivalent) required.
• Recovery Requirement: For individuals in recovery from substance use disorder, must have maintained continuous recovery for the previous two (2) years at the time of hire.

Licenses and Certifications

• SUD Counselor Trainee (CS3): CADC-R applicants may be considered with a minimum of three months in active CADC-R status and at least three years of behavioral health experience working with youth.
• SUD Counselor I (CS4): CADC-I required.
• SUD Counselor II (CS5): CADC-II required + 2 years' minimum experience as a certified SUD counselor.
• Driver's License: Must maintain a valid Oregon Driver License or ability to obtain one upon hire, and be insurable under the organization’s auto liability coverage policy (minimum 21 years of age and no Type A violations in the past 3 years, or no more than two Type B violations).

Preferred Qualifications

• Youth Experience: Prior experience working with youth/adolescents in a clinical, educational, or community setting strongly preferred.
• Degree: Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in addiction studies, psychology, social work, or other behavioral health field preferred.
• Language: Bilingual in English/Spanish a plus.

Essential Functions

• Client & Caseload Management: Works closely with the Treatment Team to manage an assigned caseload of adolescent clients enrolled in the Program.
• Assessments & Level of Care: Completes comprehensive, developmentally appropriate intakes and assessments. Utilizes American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) criteria to assess for appropriate levels of patient care (LOC) and integration with Mental Health and SUD programs per applicable OARs.
• Treatment Planning: Collaborates with youth clients and, when appropriate, their parents/guardians to develop individualized treatment plans containing measurable goals and objectives based on assessed clinical and developmental needs.
• Direct Clinical Services: Provides treatment through a variety of modalities including individual sessions, group counseling, and family counseling, as well as comprehensive case management services, ensuring individualized, quality care.
• Group Facilitation: Leads psycho-educational, skill development, relapse prevention, process, gender-specific, and adolescent-focused recovery groups as assigned.
• Crisis Intervention & Safety Planning: Provides crisis intervention as needed; conducts ongoing risk assessments (including health, suicide, and safety risks to self or others) and develops safety plans.
• Continuum of Care & Referrals: Assesses ongoing needs of individuals, updates assessments and recommendations per OAR standards, and makes appropriate referrals for additional youth-serving community services (e. g., schools, juvenile justice, child welfare, medical providers).
• Family & System Engagement: Works effectively and respectfully with youth, parents/guardians, and diverse family populations while maintaining adherence to youth privacy rights under state and federal law.
• Peer Support Collaboration: Collaborates with Certified Recovery Mentors and Youth Peer Support Specialists on patient care and provides support and clinical guidance as needed.
• Discharge & Aftercare: Collaborates with clients, families, and community partners on discharge, transition, and aftercare planning.
• Compliance & Documentation: Maintains strict compliance with all state and federal laws and regulations, as they pertain to position including HIPAA, 42 CFR Part 2, scope of practice, accreditation standards, OARs (e. g., OAR 309-019), and OSHA. Maintains documentation of client services in the electronic client file (EHR) in a timely manner in accordance with policies, procedures, and regulatory standards.
• Community Outreach: Provides information about the Program to individuals, schools, public agencies, and community groups.
• Other Duties: Performs other related duties as assigned.