Substance Use Disorder Counselor - Certified
Listed compensation
$67K–$74K /yr
The week · per this posting · weekdays assumed
Ask the employer about call expectations, weekend coverage, nights and shift pattern and time off.
Job Description
For more than 55 years, Family Health Centers of San Diego’s (FHCSD) mission has been to provide caring, affordable, high-quality health care and supportive services to everyone, with a special commitment to uninsured, low-income and medically underserved persons.
FHCSD is one of the top 10 largest federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) in the country. We operate more than 90 sites across San Diego County, including 29 primary care clinics, 23 behavioral health facilities, 10 physical rehabilitation clinics, nine dental clinics, five vision clinics, four outpatient substance use treatment programs, three mobile medical units, two mobile counseling centers, two urgent care centers, and a pharmacy.
Our staff provides care to over 227,000 patients each year, of whom 91% are low-income and 29% are uninsured. FHCSD provides care to all.
Services include, but are not limited to adult care, chronic disease management, pediatrics, comprehensive women’s care including obstetrics, dental, vision, case management, physical rehabilitation, speech therapy for children, vaccinations, infectious diseases, behavioral health, substance use counseling and a host of specialty services including cardiology, podiatry, endocrinology, dermatology, among others.
FHCSD also offers supportive services to those who are unsheltered and in need of intensive case management.
The breadth of our clinic locations, services and programs has grown over the last five decades, making us the largest community clinic provider of health care to the uninsured in the county and one of the top 10 largest community clinic organizations in the nation. We are also the largest health care safety-net provider, largest school-based health care provider and the largest mental health provider in the San Diego region.
Family Health Centers of San Diego (FHCSD) is looking for Substance Use Disorder Counselor (SUDC) - CERTIFIED to provide substance abuse screening, brief interventions, therapy for individuals and groups, and coordinate referrals for patients. As the Substance Use Disorder Counselor (SUDC), the responsibilities also include providing leadership and training to staff related to chemical dependency issues, and serving as a subject matter expert in the cross-functional treatment team.
Responsibilities
Completes all required documentation accurately, in a timely manner, and thoroughly in accordance with department standards; in addition, documentation complies with patients' insurance requirements.
Develops and maintains community resources information and contacts related to assigned patient population. Acts as a liaison and may provide consultations with community agencies.
Participates in the design and implementation of mental health and substance abuse service delivery, working closely with multi-disciplinary team to ensure continuity of care.
Provides direct substance abuse counseling services, including crisis intervention and individual, group, and family counseling, targeting assigned patient population groups experiencing substance abuse/dependency disorders. Provides support and assistance to maintain patients' treatment and recovery.
Provides substance abuse education and referral information to patients, families, and other staff members in the areas of substance abuse counseling and treatment services.
Provides substance abuse screening and assessments. Participates in the development of patients' individualized care plans. Assesses patients' need for enrollment in medical, self-help programs, outpatient services, and/or residential facilities and makes referrals, if necessary.
Performs other duties as assigned.
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in related field required.
- Certification from a California State Substance Use Disorders (SUD) Services certifying agency required.
Current American Heart Association healthcare provider CPR (BLS), or Advanced Cardiac Life Support, Advanced Trauma Life Support, or Advance Resuscitation Training required.
1 year experience in providing counseling required; 2 years of experience providing counseling to assigned patient demographics, such as patients diagnosed with serious mental illness or HIV, preferred.
Traveling between sites and other locations is occasionally required. Must have a valid California driver’s license, an automobile, and proof of minimum levels of car insurance as required under California law, although limits of $100,000 are recommended. An acceptable driving record is also required.
California law requires all drivers to obtain a valid California driver’s license within ten days of establishing residency. Reasonable accommodation may be provided on a case-by-case basis. Mileage and other reimbursement governed by policy.
Rewards
- Job type: Regular Full Time
- Competitive Salary with Excellent Benefits
- Retirement Plan with Employer Match
- Paid Time Off, Extended Sick Leave and Paid Holidays
- Medical/Dental/Vision/FSA/Life Insurance
Employee Discounts and Wellness Programs
The successful candidate will have a demonstrated commitment to community medicine and providing culturally competent care to the medically underserved.
We are excited to share that the salary range for this position is:
$32.00 - $35.39
Information on our extensive benefits package can be found here: FHCSD Wellness – Employee Hub (gobenefits.net)
FHCSD provides Equal Employment Opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, transfer, leave of absence, compensation, and training.
Qualifications
- Education
- Bachelor degree
Certifications
Key Skills
Addiction Medicine — Counselor Career Context
Of the 50 active Substance Use / Addiction Counselor listings this role was benchmarked against, 48% are remote, 38% have no call, 58% require no weekends.
The cost-of-living index for California is 110.7 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)), so the posted ~$70k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $63k in an average-cost state. 63.6% of California clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).
| Measure | This job | Market |
|---|---|---|
| Work-life score | 6.6 / 10 · top 25% in substance use / addiction counselor | ranked against 1,008 Substance Use / Addiction Counselor listingslisting-based score, 0–10 |
| Listed pay | $67k–$74k | Substance Use / Addiction Counselor median $60k (middle half $56k–$65k)109 comparable listings, Nov 2026 |
| Cost-of-living adjusted pay | ~$63k in purchasing power | California index 110.7 (US = 100)BEA Regional Price Parities (2024) |
| Addiction Medicine listings in California | 113 active | —live on WeekdayDoc, Nov 2026 |
| All substance use / addiction counselor listings in California | 1,023 active | 12,843 nationallylive on WeekdayDoc, Nov 2026 |
| Work setting | on-site | peers: 48% remote · 38% no call · 58% no weekends50 benchmarked listings |
| Sign-on & loan repayment | not stated | California counselor listings (all specialties): 12% state a sign-on bonus (median $3k) · 9% offer loan repayment1,000 active listings, Nov 2026 |
| New Addiction Medicine listings | 432 in the last 30 days | 231 the 30 days before (+87%)U.S., first seen on WeekdayDoc, Nov 2026 |
| Family Health Centers of San Diego | silver tier, 73/100 | Top Employers work-life index34 active listings |
Work-Life Balance Analysis
WeekdayDoc's proprietary algorithm rates Substance Use Disorder Counselor - Certified at Family Health Centers of San Diego 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.
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