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University of Rochester
Rochester, New York

Substance Abuse Counselor 2

CounselorNo nightsPart-Time

Listed compensation

$29.05-$40.67/hr

The week · per this posting

Ask the employer about call expectations, weekend coverage and time off.

Posted 1mo ago

Job Description

As a community, the University of Rochester is defined by a deep commitment to Meliora - Ever Better. Embedded in that ideal are the values we share: equity, leadership, integrity, openness, respect, and accountability. Together, we will set the highest standards for how we treat each other to ensure our community is welcoming to all and is a place where all can thrive.

Job Location (Full Address)

150 N Chestnut St, Rochester, New York, United States of America, 14604

Opening

Worker Subtype

Regular

Time Type

Part time

Scheduled Weekly Hours

24

Department: 500127 Psych SMH Ambulatory Reg

Work Shift

UR - Day (United States of America)

Range

UR URC 211 H

Compensation Range

$29.05 - $40.67

The referenced pay range represents the minimum and maximum compensation for this job. Individual annual salaries/hourly rates will be set within the job's compensation range, and will be determined by considering factors including, but not limited to, market data, education, experience, qualifications, expertise of the individual, and internal equity considerations.

Responsibilities

The Substance Use Counselor 2 is a member of the CAT team and serves as the first point of contact for individuals seeking substance use disorder treatment services.

This role is responsible for conducting initial screening phone calls, gathering demographic and clinical information, assessing treatment needs, determining MOUD or MAUD needs, providing information about available services, and scheduling intake appointments.

This position serves as a liaison between patients/referring providers and clinical services to ensure connection to appropriate services. This position provides referrals for adults, young adults and adolescent clinical services.

The Access Team Member demonstrates compassion, professionalism, and a commitment to helping individuals access appropriate care in a timely manner.

Essential Functions

Referral Coordination:

Completes screening for eligibility and facilitates referral for patients; ensures that referral is directed to the appropriate clinical services. Communicates directly with referring offices regarding outcomes or recommendations. Presents complex cases to clinical team for triage/recommendations. Has detailed knowledge of UR Behavioral Health clinics and workflows. Has knowledge of community resources for services not offered at UR. Has ability to complete OASAS LOCADTR

Lead SUD expert with Ongoing Education for the CAT Team:

Functions as the lead subject matter expert on SUD and determining appropriate level of care. Guides the group on SUD Consultation and training team members on SUD services, different levels of care and medications for OUD and AUD. Utilizes and educates on knowledge of community resources and clinical recommendations to facilitate referrals. Identify urgent, priority access or high-risk situations and follow appropriate procedures for crisis intervention and referral.

Develops and maintains resource lists within the electronic medical record. Verify patient’s access to their own safety plan and consults with Sr. Clinical Coordinator if safety concerns arise

Documentation

Maintain accurate, timely documentation in the electronic health record (EHR) system. Coordinate communication between clients, clinicians, care managers, referral sources, and other departments. Follow confidentiality standards and HIPAA regulations. Assist with appointment reminders, follow-up calls, and rescheduling when necessary. Documents all interactions, interventions, referrals in the patient’s chart in compliance with Division, Department and Hospital policy.

Cultural Respect and Administrative

Ensures Psychiatry Department, and Hospital policies and procedures are implemented with regard to professional practice, discharge planning, and patient care. Complies with Division and Departmental quality assurance and staff development activities.

Timely completion of time reporting and other Hospital or Division forms; Hospital and Division mandatory in-service training programs and UHS reviews.

Subscribes to the Departmental goal of creating a culturally competent environment by treating patient, families, trainees, and co-workers in a sensitive manner with appropriate attention to cultural differences. Participates in available cultural competence events and training appropriate to job duties.

Cross Coverage

  • Provides back up services, within scope of practice, as requested in the absence of co-workers.
  • Other duties as assigned

Minimum Education & Experience

Master's degree in a discipline related to human services and 1 year of related experience in substance use disorder treatment setting required

3 years experience in working with behavioral health population in a direct care capacity or equivalent combination of education and experience preferred

Or equivalent combination of education and experience

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Ability to work as cotherapist in group therapy for alcohol/drug dependent persons and has a working knowledge of the concepts underlying group therapy including role of feelings, defenses required

Knowledge of legal rights and societal attitudes toward the alcoholic/addicted person in and out of treatment required

Work as a member of a team and also able to work independently preferred.

Understanding of psychosocial stressors, community resources and safety issues; basic crisis intervention skills; problem solving skills; well-developed listening skills; ability to communicate clearly; ability to advocate, research and collaborate on behalf of patients preferred.

Knowledge of how to use Microsoft Word products and electronic medical record preferred.

Licenses and Certifications

  • CASAC-T upon hire required
  • CASAC Certification within 1 year required

The University of Rochester is committed to fostering, cultivating, and preserving an inclusive and welcoming culture to advance the University’s Mission to Learn, Discover, Heal, Create – and Make the World Ever Better.

In support of our values and those of our society, the University is committed to not discriminating on the basis of age, color, disability, ethnicity, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, military/veteran status, national origin, race, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, citizenship status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law (Protected Characteristics).

This commitment extends to non-discrimination in the administration of our policies, admissions, employment, access, and recruitment of candidates, for all persons consistent with our values and based on applicable law.

Requirements

Candidates must hold a Master's degree in a human services-related discipline and have at least one year of experience in a substance use disorder treatment setting. A CASAC-T certification is required upon hire, with full CASAC certification expected within one year.

Qualifications

Education
Master's degree (postgraduate degree)

Key Skills

Substance abuse counselingClinical assessmentHIPAA complianceCase managementPatient advocacyPsychosocial assessmentCommunication skills

Addiction Medicine — Counselor Career Context

Of the 40 active Substance Use / Addiction Counselor listings this role was benchmarked against, 43% are remote, 23% have no call, 78% require no weekends.

The cost-of-living index for New York is 107.9 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)). 64.6% of New York clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).

Top Counselor Jobs

40 matches · ranked by pay

Salary Distribution19 jobs

9
<$70k
3
$70k-85k
5
$85k-100k
2
$100k-115k

Annual compensation range

Benefits & Perks18 jobs

401k / retirement match
89% this job
CME allowance
39%
Loan repayment
28%
PSLF eligible
28%
Sign-on bonus
6%

Share of similar jobs offering each benefit

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+ 38 more · ranked by pay

Work-life snapshot

median 6.1this job 5.1
Better work-life than 40% of Substance Use / Addiction Counselor listings

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

  • No nights
  • On-site

Living in Rochester

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$247k
Typical market rent
$1,476/mo
Residents’ average commute
19 min
Metro price indexU.S. average = 100
97.0
State income tax
Up to 10.9%
Sources & methodology

Sources: Zillow home values (Aug 2026), Zillow market rents (Aug 2026), U.S. Census ACS 2024 five-year.

BEA 2024 · Rochester, NY metro prices. Housing figures are city-level.

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

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About University of Rochester

Higher Education

Benefits & Perks

Health Insurance
Dental
Vision
Retirement Plan
Paid Time Off