Better Morning logo
Better Morning
Washington, District of Columbia

Certified Addiction Counselor

Counselor Top 25% in Addiction Medicine (Counseling)Full-Time

Listed compensation

$30-$35/hr

The week, per this posting

Ask the employer about call expectations, weekend coverage and nights and shift pattern.

Posted 4mo ago

Job Description

Company Description

Better Morning emerged as an outpatient behavioral health practice in Ashburn, VA in the year of 2014.

In addition to providing counseling from the Ashburn office, Better Morning started off as a certified provider for intensive in home and community-based services (IHCBS), for at risk youth in District of Columbia.

In August of 2017, Better Morning was certified as a Core service agency (CSA) by DC Department of Behavioral Health. Better morning founder’s passion for at risk youth and their family were the motivation to keep expanding the evidenced based programs to meet the need of the underserved population.

Job Description

Summary

As a Certified Addiction Counselor, you will be instrumental in providing compassionate care and support to individuals struggling with addiction. Reporting to the clinical supervisor, your role involves conducting diagnostic evaluations, developing treatment plans, and implementing behavioral therapies.

You will utilize your core skills in patient assessment and medical documentation, alongside premium skills in crisis intervention and psychotherapy, to foster recovery. Your expertise in ICD coding and effective communication will ensure compliance with HIPAA regulations while enhancing patient outcomes. Join our dedicated team to make a meaningful impact in the lives of those in need.

  • Job Responsibilities
  • Conduct AASM evaluations to assess clients' substance abuse issues and mental health needs

Develop individualized treatment plans based on clients' specific needs and goals - Provide individual and group counseling sessions to address clients' addiction and mental health issues - Utilize evidence-based therapeutic techniques such as cognitive behavioral therapy to help clients develop coping skills and prevent relapse

Assist clients in accessing additional support services such as medical care, housing, and employment resources

Collaborate with other healthcare professionals, including doctors and social workers, to ensure comprehensive care for clients - Maintain accurate and up-to-date client records and documentation

Documents a summary of the patient's progress in achieving goals and objectives weekly and at the time of discharge. Enforces PIW expectations in a non-punitive manner.

  • Keeps information related to the patient's identity, history, and course of treatment confidential.
  • Observes the patient's behavior and promptly detects behavior that may result in injury to the patient and others.
  • Attends educational programs/classes directed towards meeting stated objectives for professional growth.
  • This job description is not exhaustive, and additional duties may be assigned as needed.

Qualifications

  • Education:
  • A bachelor's degree in addiction counseling, psychology, social work, or a related field.

Training

Complete specific training programs in addiction counseling. These programs often include coursework in substance abuse, counseling techniques, ethics, and related topics.

Certification Exam

National Certified Addiction Counselor, Level I (NCAC I), Level II (NCAC II

Skills

  • Strong knowledge of addiction counseling principles and techniques
  • Familiarity with medical terminology, diagnostic evaluation, and ICD-9 coding
  • Proficiency in crisis intervention strategies to effectively manage high-stress situations
  • Ability to conduct individual and group counseling sessions using various therapeutic approaches
  • Excellent communication skills to establish rapport with clients and effectively convey information
  • Strong organizational skills to manage caseloads, maintain documentation, and meet deadlines
  • Empathy and compassion for individuals struggling with addiction and mental health issues
  • Ability to work collaboratively as part of a multidisciplinary team
  • Strong problem-solving skills to address complex client needs
  • Additional Information
  • Job Types: Full-time, Part-time, Contract
  • Pay: $30.00 - $35.00 per hour

Schedule

  • 8 hour shift
  • Work Location: In-person, 2041 Martin Luther King Jr Ave SE, Washington, DC 20020

Office Address: Any Location

Key Responsibilities

Conduct diagnostic evaluations and develop individualized treatment plans for clients struggling with addiction. Provide individual and group counseling using evidence-based therapies while maintaining accurate medical documentation.

Qualifications

Education
Bachelor degree
Experience
2+ years of experience

Key Skills

Individual CounselingHIPAA ComplianceCase Management

Work-Life Balance Analysis

WeekdayDoc's proprietary algorithm rates Certified Addiction Counselor at Better Morning a 6.6 out of 10 for work-life balance — classified as good. This places the position in the top 25% in Addiction Medicine (Counseling) — ranked against 1,299 active Addiction Medicine (Counseling) listings on WeekdayDoc.

Addiction Medicine — Counselor Career Context

Of the 50 active Substance Use / Addiction Counselor listings this role was benchmarked against, 56% are remote, 24% have no call, 74% require no weekends.

The cost-of-living index for Washington is 107.0 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)), so the posted ~$68k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $63k in an average-cost state. 59.8% of Washington clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).

Location & Logistics

Washington has no state income tax, which can significantly increase take-home pay compared to high-tax states. At the posted ~$68k midpoint, that is roughly $3k–$5k a year versus a typical 4–7% state rate.

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Annual compensation range

Benefits & Perks26 jobs · 20 employers

401k / retirement match
88%
Sign-on bonus
50%
CME allowance
23%
Loan repayment
19%
Relocation assistance
15%

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Work-life snapshot

median 6.1this job 6.6
Better work-life than 80% of Addiction Medicine (Counseling) listings

Listing-based score, 0–10, across 1,299 comparable listings. Shaded area = the share scoring below this one.

  • On-site
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About Better Morning

Mental Health Care
Washington, District of Columbia
11-50 employees