Substance Use Counselor III (LPC or LSW)

Who Is Alpharus Health?

Alpharus Health is a national nonprofit behavioral health provider dedicated to helping people build healthier lives. For nearly 60 years, we have provided substance use and mental health treatment that helps individuals, families, and communities find healing, hope, and lasting wellbeing.

Our mission is simple: We help people build healthier lives. By combining clinical expertise with a person-centered approach, we help people build the skills, resilience, and support systems needed to create meaningful, lasting change.

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 be 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.

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

Location: 222 S Greenleaf St Ste 106, Gurnee, IL 60031

Work Schedule

Monday through Thursday from 12:30pm-9:30pm and Friday day shift hours

Certified Substance Use Counselors are responsible for:

Conducts comprehensive assessments and develops and implements complex treatment plans for clients with co-occurring disorders.

Maintains patient caseload, including conducting comprehensive assessments, preparing individualized treatment plans. Maintains regular contact with insurance providers to report client treatment progress and obtain required certifications for continued stays. Reports caseload activities and progress to supervisor.

Prepares and conducts group counseling or therapeutic encounter sessions to address specific social or psychological issue to promote the development of effective life skills to support a healthy, drug-free lifestyle.

Prepares and conducts individual counseling sessions to assist patients with overcoming dependencies, adjusting to life, and making life changes.

Develops and implements complex treatment and discharge plans for patients and conducts intensive or comprehensive interventions (family or domestic violence counseling, etc.).

Designs, implements, and integrates intensive service programs for the site to address particular social or psychological problems affecting portion of patient population, e. g., domestic violence, sexual assault, grief, etc.

Serves on variety of department or site committees necessary to plan and evaluate treatment programs and client services. Develops and contributes to improvement of treatment protocols, procedures and outcomes.

Documents treatment plans, narrative progress notes, interventions, treatments, evaluations, discharge summaries, and treatment plan reviews. Maintains patient records and charts to ensure organizational, regulatory, accreditation, and contractual standards.

Serves as a professional resource to clinical team by auditing patient records to ensure compliance with required documentation and service delivery by providing assessments of special needs clients; and consults with clinical staff to resolve complex case problems by implementing case-appropriate procedures, modalities and techniques.

Develops and conducts in-service and continuing education programs on subjects related to assigned specialty for other Counselors or Technicians.

May provides supervision to treatment team as needed.

Job Requirements:

Master’s degree in psychology, social work, mental health counseling, substance use disorder counseling or related field required.

• Minimum of 2 years counseling experience in the substance use disorder field or mental health field.
• Current, valid credential (LPC or LSW).
• Comprehensive knowledge of group and individual dynamics, conflict resolution and intervention techniques.
• Knowledge of federal and state rules and regulations governing health records confidentiality
• Time and project management skills.
• Advanced communication skills to exchange information and interact with treatment team, clients, client families and outside vendors and agencies.
• Active listening skills and social perceptiveness.
• Critical thinking, persuasion and negotiation skills.
• Adaptability/Flexibility: ability to shift priorities.
• Basic coaching / mentoring skills.

Physical Requirements:

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

Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects.

• Ability to record, proofread and check documents and files for accuracy.
• Ability to use a keyboard and video display terminal to receive, retrieve, and/or audit information and data.
• Ability to respond to telephones, and to hear and detect alarms and unusual noises.

Compensation:

Range is between $51,463 - $82,000 annually

Starting rates are determined based on years of experience, qualifications, and relevant skills.

Alpharus Health conducts annual performance reviews, with merit increase eligbility determined by employee performance and organizational financial performance.

Benefits at Alpharus

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 Alpharus
• 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

Alpharus Health 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.