Substance Abuse Counselor (521)
Listed compensation
$16.79-$21.15/hr
Listing transparency3 of 6 stated
Ask the employer about call expectations, nights and shift pattern and benefits.
- Employment & setting
- Full-Time · on-site
- Call expectations
- Not specified
- Weekends
- No weekends
Job Description
- vision of Substance Abuse Clinical Director/Program Manager.
Responsibilities include, but are not limited to
- visions, agencies, and community organizations to ensure the maximum utilization of resources available for chemical dependency treatment and rehabilitation. Facilitates substance abuse program services as directed and approved by the SA Program Administrator and the counselors immediate supervisor, SA Clinical Director/Program Manager. Screens, and coordinates admissions into Center outpatient adolescent and adult SA services. Works under general super
- vision with moderate latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. HFC incorporates principles of trauma-informed care, which includes cultural sensitivity, in all areas of service delivery. All job descriptions include the responsibility to learn about and implement trauma-informed practices within the scope of work for the position. Reassignment is a condition of employment that may occur at the employers discretion. Your work location and hours could change based on program needs.
Qualifications
- vision as outlined in the state of Texas licensure requirements. All individuals must meet the educational and experience exemptions/waivers as outlined in DSHS chapter 450.109, pass criminal history standards which includes fingerprints as described in 450.115, sign a written agreement to abide by the ethics contained in 450.121, and be worthy of public trust and confidence as determined by Department of State Health Services. Must be able to pass a pre-employment drug screen to work with this population. Must have current driver’s license and be insurable under Center insurance. Must pass all Center and SA department mandated trainings. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Knowledge of chemical dependency, chemical abuse that is inclusive of alcoholism and drug addiction as treatable diseases, workable knowledge of the DSM-IV to support diagnoses relating to substance abuse and mental health disorders, co-dependency, relapse prevention, family dynamics, support groups in the community setting, related disorders. Possess knowledge of counseling techniques, importance of evidence based practices, willingness to implement these practices; and knowledge of recovery processes. Ability to interview, screen, build rapport with, and evaluate clients; to counsel others; to instruct others; to aid in the implementation and the facilitation of chemical dependency treatment programs; to prepare concise reports; and to maintain records. Ability to write progress notes according to standard, assessments, memos, letters, various complex reports and miscellaneous other documents with acceptable spelling and grammar. Ability to relate verbal instructions, communicate in a courteous and effective fashion with co-workers, consumers, families, agencies and the public. Display a customer service orientation; at all times treating customers with respect and as partners in the recovery process. Skilled in the use of personal and network computers, word processing, database, spreadsheet and office management software (Microsoft Office), familiarity with CMBHS a plus. Ability to abide by the Centers and the specific SA Departments policies and procedures. Demonstration of knowledge of the Texas Administrative Codes specific to delivery of SA services and the ability to abide by the guidelines set forth in the TAC.
Key Responsibilities
The counselor is responsible for planning, coordinating, and implementing substance abuse counseling activities for adolescent and adult clients. They also facilitate program services, conduct screenings, and coordinate admissions while maintaining accurate clinical records.
Requirements
Candidates must possess a high school diploma or GED and hold a current Texas licensure as a Chemical Dependency Counselor, LPC, or LCSW. Applicants must also pass criminal history background checks, drug screenings, and maintain a valid driver's license.
Qualifications
- Education
- Professional certificate or licensure
Key Skills
Work-Life Balance Analysis
WeekdayDoc's proprietary algorithm rates Substance Abuse Counselor (521) at Helen Farabee Center a 6.0 out of 10 for work-life balance — classified as good. This places the position in the top 35% of all Addiction Medicine counselor listings evaluated on our platform. Contributing factors include no weekend requirements.
Addiction Medicine — Counselor Career Context
Of the 50 active Substance Use / Addiction Counselor listings this role was benchmarked against, 28% are remote, 34% have no call, 58% require no weekends.
The cost-of-living index for Texas is 97.1 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)), so the posted ~$39k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $41k in an average-cost state. 57.7% of Texas clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).
Location & Logistics
Texas has no state income tax, which can significantly increase take-home pay compared to high-tax states. At the posted ~$39k midpoint, that is roughly $2k–$3k a year versus a typical 4–7% state rate.
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