Gateway Foundation logo
Gateway Foundation
Aurora, Illinois

Substance Abuse Counselor (PRN)

Counselor Top 25% in Addiction Medicine (Counseling)Per Diem

Listed compensation

$19.23 - $24.47 per hour

Listing transparency2 of 6 stated

Ask the employer about the work setting, call expectations and weekend coverage.

Employment & setting
Per Diem · on_site
Call expectations
Not specified
Weekends
Not specified
Posted 1mo ago · Verified live

Job Description

Who Is Gateway Foundation?

Gateway Foundation, Inc. is a national non-profit dedicated to helping individuals with substance use and mental health disorders. Established in 1968, Gateway provides essential tools and knowledge for recovery, positively impacting hundreds of thousands of lives. Operating through its Community Services, Corrections Divisions, and Corporate Headquarters, the organization is recognized for innovative, effective treatment approaches and maintaining high standards.

Why Join Us?

Consider joining our team, where your impact can be truly meaningful. Our organization focuses on delivering high quality clinical services as a recognized leader in evidence-based treatment proven to get results.

By joining our team, you'll have the chance to provide essential services to underserved populations, all while working for an organization that values you and aims to be an employer of choice.

You can expect to be part of a vibrant culture that emphasizes teamwork and professional growth, while embracing diversity, equity, and inclusion for every individual in every community.

When you join us, you have the opportunity to find both personal and professional fulfillment by aligning your career with your values.

Location: Gateway Foundation Residential/Outpatient Drug Rehab Center

400 Mercy Ln, Aurora, IL 60506

View the facility details here!

Residential Substance Abuse Counselors are responsible for:

Preparing and facilitating group counseling sessions, educational programs, and lectures to assist clients in meeting therapeutic goals

Conducting individual counseling to provide crises intervention, support & guidance, and address client behaviors and personal problems

  • Documenting clients’ progress and responses to treatment
  • Maintaining client records; ensuring records are complete, accurate, and up to date
  • Monitoring clients in medication self-administration
  • Ensuring client safety and well-being
  • Monitoring client behavior during social, recreational, or daily activities
  • Enforcing house rules
  • Scheduling, coordinating and transporting clients to appointments and maintaining the vehicle
  • Collecting urine samples and administering breathalyzer
  • Other duties as assigned

Job Requirements:

High school diploma or equivalency required

Minimum 6 months of previous experience in substance abuse or mental health counseling required

Related work experience with a program specific population (adolescent/adult) in a residential treatment setting required

Physical Requirements:

Ability to walk and move about the facilities for up to two hours at a time, to monitor and interact with clients.

  • Ability to speak with others in order to exchange information and provide counseling.
  • Ability to record, proofread and check documents and files for accuracy on a regular basis.
  • Ability to use a keyboard and video display terminal to receive, retrieve, and/or audit information and data on a regular basis.
  • Ability to respond to telephones, and to hear and detect alarms and unusual noises.

Ability to drive an automobile or van; remain alert to traffic conditions, and to identify and comply with traffic signals and signs

Compensation (based on experience and credentials):

Range begins at $19.23 - $24.47 per hour

Gateway Foundation conducts annual reviews including merit increases.

Benefits at Gateway Foundation

Health and Wellness

  • Medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees and dependents
  • Employee wellness program promoting health and fitness and offering cash-saving premiums
  • Employee assistance programs focused on mental health

Financial Wellbeing

  • 403(b) Retirement Plan with 3% employer match
  • Short-term and Long-term Disability and Life and AD&D Insurance paid for by Gateway
  • Flexible Spending Accounts for medical and dependent care
  • Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)

Flexibility and Time Off

  • 18 paid time off days per year – accrual rates increase with years of service
  • 9 paid company holidays
  • Work-life-balance

Personal Development

Training & Development Programs

Tuition Reimbursement - up to $5,250 per calendar year eLearning access to online courses that provide CEU’s and job-related training

Clinical Supervision: Formal and informal guidance

Gateway Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer: Race/Color/Sex/Sexual Orientation/ Gender Identity/Religion/National Origin/Disability/Vets. Please view Equal Employment Opportunity Posters provided by OFCCP here.

Key Responsibilities

The counselor is responsible for facilitating group and individual counseling sessions while monitoring client progress and safety. They also maintain accurate clinical records and assist with daily living activities and medication administration.

Requirements

Candidates must have a high school diploma or equivalent and at least 6 months of experience in substance abuse or mental health counseling. Experience working with specific populations in a residential treatment setting is also required.

Key Skills

Substance abuse counselingCrisis interventionClient documentationMedication monitoringCase managementBehavioral monitoringTreatment planning

Work-Life Balance Analysis

WeekdayDoc's proprietary algorithm rates Substance Abuse Counselor (PRN) at Gateway Foundation 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 46 active Substance Use / Addiction Counselor listings this role was benchmarked against, 48% are remote, 26% have no call, 76% require no weekends.

The cost-of-living index for Illinois is 100.0 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)). 62.6% of Illinois clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).

Top Counselor Jobs

46 matches · ranked by pay

Salary Distribution25 jobs · 21 employers

9
<$75k
8
$75k-95k
1
$105k
7
$115k-135k

Annual compensation range

Benefits & Perks39 jobs · 21 employers

CME allowance
59% this job
401k / retirement match
59% this job
Loan repayment
28% this job
PSLF eligible
15% this job
Sign-on bonus
13%

Share of similar jobs offering each benefit

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+ 44 more · ranked by pay

Work-life snapshot

6.6/ 10
Listing-based score

Top 25% in Addiction Medicine (Counseling)

  • On-site

Living in Aurora

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$321k
Typical market rent
$2,253/mo
Residents’ average commute
27 min
State income tax
Up to 5%
Sources & methodology

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

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

Gateway Foundation logo

About Gateway Foundation

Hospitals and Health Care
Chicago, Illinois
1,001-5,000 employees

Benefits & Perks

Medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees and dependents
Employee wellness program promoting health and fitness and offering cash-saving premiums
Employee assistance programs focused on mental health
403(b) Retirement Plan with 3% employer match
Short-term and Long-term Disability and Life and AD&D Insurance paid for by Gateway
Flexible Spending Accounts for medical and dependent care
Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)
18 paid time off days per year – accrual rates increase with years of service