Substance Abuse Counselor

Job Details:

Job Location: Bulloch Substance Abuse Outpatient - Statesboro, GA, Position Type: Full Time, Education Level: 4 Year Degree, Salary Range: Undisclosed, Job Shift: Morning, Job Summary: Provides substance use disorder assessment, counseling, treatment planning, education, case management, and recovery support services to individuals receiving behavioral health and substance use treatment.

The Substance Abuse Counselor I/II assists consumers in identifying treatment needs, achieving recovery goals, accessing community resources, and developing recovery support systems.

This position provides individual, group, and family counseling while ensuring compliance with applicable licensing, certification, and documentation requirements.

Essential Functions: Completes assessments of consumers’ substance use history, treatment needs, and current functioning as part of comprehensive assessments and ongoing treatment services. Assists in coordinating individualized treatment planning, discharge planning, aftercare, and recovery support services.

Engages and motivates consumers to achieve treatment and recovery goals. Provides individual, group, and family substance use counseling services. Assists consumers in becoming involved with self-help and peer support groups. Supports consumers in developing and maintaining social support networks.

Assesses consumers for inpatient, residential, detoxification, or other levels of care as appropriate. Coordinates referrals and access to substance use treatment services. Collaborates with inpatient, residential, outpatient, and community treatment providers to ensure continuity of care.

Ensures referrals are made to appropriately licensed or certified treatment providers. Provides education regarding substance use disorders, recovery principles, relapse prevention, and treatment resources.

Provides training to staff regarding signs, symptoms, and early identification of alcohol and substance use disorders. Provides crisis intervention and on-call support services as assigned. Maintains client confidentiality and compliance with HIPAA and applicable privacy requirements.

Completes all required documentation accurately and within established timelines. Maintains agency productivity standards and performance expectations. Participates in interdisciplinary treatment team meetings and service planning activities. Provides case management and care coordination services.

Maintains current knowledge of substance use treatment best practices and regulatory requirements. Performs related duties as assigned. Required Knowledge & Skills: Knowledge of substance use disorders, recovery principles, relapse prevention strategies, and evidence-based treatment approaches.

Knowledge of serious mental illness, co-occurring disorders, behavioral interventions, and treatment modalities. Knowledge of consumer rights and applicable agency, state, and federal regulations. Knowledge of community resources, healthcare systems, housing services, educational services, and social service programs.

Knowledge of client documentation requirements, service planning, and case management principles. Knowledge of crisis intervention techniques and risk assessment practices. Knowledge of individual, group, and family counseling techniques. Knowledge of family dynamics and recovery support systems.

Ability to observe, document, and report consumer functioning and progress. Ability to understand assessments, evaluations, and treatment recommendations. Ability to develop and implement treatment plans and recovery goals. Ability to identify community resources and coordinate needed services.

Ability to establish effective working relationships with internal staff and external community organizations. Ability to effectively interact with consumers and families from diverse backgrounds. Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.

Ability to maintain confidentiality and professional boundaries. Ability to work independently under general supervision. Ability to demonstrate strong interpersonal, counseling, and active listening skills. Ability to establish priorities and manage multiple responsibilities.

Ability to facilitate relationships with healthcare providers, housing agencies, employers, legal guardians, and other support systems. Primary Responsibilities, but not limited to: Provides substance use assessments and counseling services. Develops and monitors individualized treatment plans.

Facilitates individual, family, and group counseling sessions. Coordinates referrals and recovery support services. Provides crisis intervention and case management services. Maintains required documentation and clinical records. Participates in interdisciplinary treatment planning. Supports consumer recovery, wellness, and community integration.

Qualifications

Competencies: Communication Accountability/Responsibility Cooperation/Teamwork Creative Thinking Customer Service Dependability Flexibility Initiative Analytical Thinking Job Knowledge Judgment Professionalism Quality/Quantity of Work Leadership/Supervision Required Education & Experience: Current Addiction Counselor certification, credential, or eligibility for certification in accordance with state and program requirements.

Minimum two (2) years of experience providing substance use disorder treatment services. Experience in crisis intervention, intensive case management, counseling, treatment planning, and recovery support services.

Experience working with individuals experiencing substance use disorders and co-occurring behavioral health conditions preferred. Valid Georgia driver's license preferred.

Upon appointment to the position, the employee assumes responsibility for meeting and maintaining all minimum qualification requirements, including applicable certifications, licenses, continuing education, competency validations, and mandatory annual or recurrent training.

Failure to maintain such requirements may affect eligibility to perform assigned duties. Supervisory Responsibilities: None. Work Environment: This position operates in outpatient clinics, treatment facilities, community settings, and professional office environments.

The role routinely uses computers, telephones, electronic health record systems, printers, scanners, photocopiers, and other office equipment. Occasional travel between Gateway locations and community service sites may be required.

Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those necessary to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Frequently walks, sits, stands, and kneels. Occasionally climbs, balances, bends, and stoops. Frequently lifts and/or moves up to 15 pounds.

Must have the ability to sit for extended periods while working at a computer. Frequently utilizes fine hand-eye coordination, hearing, and visual acuity. Must be able to travel between Gateway sites and community locations.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Gateway CSB promotes a drug/alcohol-free work environment through mandatory pre-employment drug testing. Terms & Conditions: Reports to work when scheduled and begins and ends work as expected.

Reports anticipated tardiness or absence to the supervisor. Observes policies regarding meal and break periods. Uses work time appropriately and efficiently. Requests and utilizes leave appropriately. Maintains a professional appearance in accordance with site dress code requirements.

Observes health, safety, and sanitation policies. Performs work according to all applicable rules, regulations, policies, and guidelines. Ensures licensure and certification are current and active without suspension or revocation throughout employment.

Ensures compliance with required training, including new employee orientation. Does not engage in activities other than official business during work hours. Does not report to work under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Adheres to Gateway’s Standards of Conduct 3.13 and Employee Ethics 3.23.

May be required to remain at or return to work during agency incidents or emergencies and may work non-traditional schedules as necessary to support agency operations.

Other Duties: Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee in this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.