Substance Use Disorder Counselor

CounselorFull-Time

Compensation

Pay not listed

The week · per this posting · weekdays assumed

Ask the employer about the pay range, the work setting, call expectations and time off.

Posted 5mo ago

Job Description

Positions Available at the Following Location

Branson - 180 Claremont Driver, Branson, MO 65616

Jackson County Drug Court - 1212 McGee Street, Kansas City, MO 64106 - Position opening for a Licensed Counselor

Withdrawal Management - 1534 Campbell Street, Kansas City, MO 64108

Nixa - 1308 W Schatz Lane, Nixa, Missouri 6571464106S1205 W College St.

Job Description

The Substance Use Disorder Counselor is part of a multi-disciplinary team rendering care and services to persons receiving substance use disorder treatment.

The Counselor conducts assessments(QSUD, LSUD, QMHP), identifies needs and goals for the person in the assessment process and indicates the most appropriate level of care for the person. The Counselor will provide direct service to consumers, crisis assistance, and/or refer consumers for appropriate services.

All services are provided in compliance with the requirements of the Department of Mental Health. Work is performed under the administrative supervision of the Program Manager and reviewed through direct observation, reports, and staff conferences.

Essential Functions

Work may include, but is not limited to the following:

  • Conducts assessments for referred clients and documents findings.
  • Completes initial consumer treatment plans based upon the assessed need of the consumer.
  • Attends periodic meetings with designated team members to assist in the development of a consumer's treatment plan.
  • Provides direct services, including individual counseling, group counseling, group education, family education/therapy.
  • Responsible for managing a caseload of consumers consistent with state standards and regulatory requirements as assigned
  • Maintains timely, clear, concise and well-organized information in the electronic health record of services provided.
  • May record qualifying diagnosis for review and approval of Licensed Counselor if Qualified Mental Health Professional Criteria are met.
  • Assesses, monitors, evaluates and records consumer participation, progress, and adjustment against measurable recorded treatment goals in a timely manner.
  • Provides services at multiple sites, as required.

Examples of Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

  • Thorough knowledge of social work, behavioral sciences and allied disciplines involved in the evaluation, care and rehabilitation of persons suffering from mental illness or emotional disturbance
  • Knowledge of individual, group and family psychodynamics as they relate to addiction
  • Considerable knowledge of the social bases of behavior, such as the psychology of interpersonal relationships, group processes, and organizational and systems theory
  • Considerable knowledge of individual differences, such as personality theory, human development, and abnormal psychology
  • Thorough knowledge of diagnostic criteria and application of the DSM IV-R
  • Knowledge of community resources used in the provision of services
  • Knowledge of State regulatory requirements as it relates to practice of social work and substance use disorder
  • Ability to collect and analyze information in making diagnostic decisions concerning a consumer's treatment
  • Ability to establish a professional and therapeutic rapport with consumers; to assist, and exercise tact, patience, respect and understanding of others
  • Ability to recognize symptoms of substance use disorder and to elicit information from individuals necessary for therapeutic interventions
  • Ability to work effectively with persons from diverse cultures and backgrounds and to respect individual differences
  • Ability to maintain organized consumer records in accordance with certification requirements

Experience and Education Qualifications

Certified or registered as a substance use professional by the Missouri Credentialing Board, Inc.,

OR

Is an LPC, PLPC, LMSW, LCSW, physician, psychologist, or nurse practitioner licensed in the state of Missouri.

AND

Has at least one year of full time equivalent experience in the treatment or rehabilitation of substance use disorder.

Necessary Special Qualification

  • All candidates will be required to submit to a background screening. No candidate may be considered for employment who is under the supervision of Federal, State, County or Municipal Corrections Department nor have any pending felony or misdemeanor charges other than minor traffic charges.
  • Driving may be required for this position. The successful candidate must have and remain in possession of a valid current driver’s license, automobile insurance, and be insurable under the agency’s motor vehicle insurance policy.
  • All candidates for employment must meet the established minimum qualifications for employment as identified by the applicable regulatory agencies.
  • Current certification in CPR and First Aid may be required for this position.

This position is classified as at-will, meaning employment may be ended by either party at any time, with or without cause or notice, as allowed by law.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and welcome applicants from all backgrounds. We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other protected status under applicable law. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace

Key Responsibilities

The counselor conducts clinical assessments, identifies treatment goals, and provides direct services including individual and group counseling. They are responsible for managing a caseload and maintaining accurate documentation in the electronic health record.

Requirements

Candidates must be certified or registered as a substance use professional by the Missouri Credentialing Board or hold a relevant clinical license in Missouri. At least one year of full-time experience in substance use disorder treatment or rehabilitation is required.

Qualifications

Education
Professional certificate or licensure
Experience
2+ years of experience

Key Skills

Substance use disorder counselingClinical assessmentTreatment planningCrisis interventionCase managementElectronic health recordsAddiction psychology

Addiction Medicine — Counselor Career Context

Of the 50 active Substance Use / Addiction Counselor listings this role was benchmarked against, 28% are remote, 24% have no call, 62% require no weekends.

The cost-of-living index for Missouri is 90.8 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)). 60.1% of Missouri clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).

Work-Life Balance Analysis

WeekdayDoc's proprietary algorithm rates Substance Use Disorder Counselor at Heartland Center For Behavioral Change a 6.6 out of 10 for work-life balance — classified as good. This places the position in the top 25% in Substance Use / Addiction Counselor — ranked against 1,008 active Substance Use / Addiction Counselor listings on WeekdayDoc.

Top Counselor Jobs

48 matches · ranked by pay

Salary Distribution47 jobs · 39 employers

17
<$65k
10
$65k-80k
13
$80k-95k
4
$95k-110k
3
$110k+

Annual compensation range

Benefits & Perks41 jobs · 39 employers

401k / retirement match
88%
Loan repayment
39%
CME allowance
32%
PSLF eligible
29%
Sign-on bonus
20%

Share of similar jobs offering each benefit

#1

Licensed Clinical Therapist (LCSW, LPC, LMFT)

LifeStance Health · Milwaukee, Wisconsin

$84k-$113k
#2

Licensed Mental Health Therapist (LMFT, LPCC, LPP, LCSW)

Gotham Enterprises · Nicholasville, Kentucky

$100k-$110k
#3

Mental Health Clinician (LMFT, LCSW, LMSW)

$90k-$110k
#4

Clinical Therapist - Centralized Intake - Carson

$75k-$105k
+ 46 more · ranked by pay

Work-life snapshot

median 6.1this job 6.6
Better work-life than 80% of Substance Use / Addiction Counselor listings

Listing-based score, 0–10, across 1,008 comparable listings. Shaded area = the share scoring below this one.

  • On-site

Living in Kansas City

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$251k
Typical market rent
$1,428/mo
Metro price indexU.S. average = 100
92.5
State income tax
Up to 5.3%
Sources & methodology

Sources: Zillow home values (Aug 2026), Zillow market rents (Aug 2026).

BEA 2024 · Kansas City, MO-KS metro prices. Housing figures are city-level.

City-level figures. Not a cost-of-living guarantee.

HC

About Heartland Center For Behavioral Change