Alpharus Health logo
Alpharus Health
Kincheloe, Michigan

Substance Use Counselor

CounselorNo weekendsFull-Time

Listed compensation

$22-$30/hr

The week · per this posting · Monday – Friday

Ask the employer about the work setting, call expectations and nights and shift pattern.

Posted 48m ago · Verified live

Job Description

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'll discover personal and professional fulfillment by aligning your career with your values.

We are honored to offer behavioral healthcare services in Corrections

Perks of Working in Correctional Healthcare

  • Opportunity to make a positive impact on a marginalized population
  • Exposure to diverse patient demographics
  • Focus on driving change, tracking progress, and improving care
  • Development of skills in a unique healthcare setting
  • Location: Chippewa Correctional Facility 4269 W. M-80 Kincheloe, MI 49784
  • Work Schedule: Monday through Friday from 7:00am-3:30pm

Substance Use Counselors Are Responsible For

Provides group orientation, individual intake, comprehensive assessment, Mid-Program assessment and discharge planning including aftercare recommendations, in accordance to MDOC contract requirements.

Documents treatment and discharge plans, and client’s progress and responses to treatment; and maintains related records and charts.

Provides Evidenced-Based group therapy for up to 15 offenders per group in accordance to MDOC contract requirements.

Provides individual segregation discharges as needed/approved for offenders terminated early from substance abuse services, in accordance to MDOC contract requirements and at the discretion of the correctional facility.

Completion of Reporting Requirements

Adherence to MDOC policies and procedures, with specific attention to safety and security, and maintenance of professional boundaries with offender population.

Ability to navigate between internal electronic health record and Michigan Department of Corrections (MDOC) system for reporting.

Job Requirements:

Bachelor’s degree with minimum of two years’ experience OR Master’s Degree and minimum of one year of experience

Experience in substance abuse related field, with specific skills in counseling, assessment, treatment planning and group therapy; working with offender population.

Clinical licensure and/or Certification in State of Michigan or ability to obtain this within designated timeframe specified through the Michigan Board of Addiction Professionals (MCBAP) - preferred

  • Ability to follow MDOC directives and remain flexible as needed to accommodate facility space and scheduling.
  • Ability to work independently and/or with team members as available.
  • Ability to receive and apply clinical supervision feedback as needed.
  • Excellent attendance and punctuality to ensure consistent delivery of services.

Compensation:

Range is between $22.00 - $30.00 per hour

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 Apharus Health

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.

Key Responsibilities

The Substance Use Counselor provides group and individual therapy, comprehensive assessments, and discharge planning for offenders within a correctional facility. They are responsible for maintaining accurate clinical documentation and adhering to strict safety and security policies.

Requirements

Candidates must possess a Bachelor's degree with at least two years of experience or a Master's degree with at least one year of experience in a substance abuse field. Proficiency in counseling, treatment planning, and group therapy is required, along with the ability to navigate electronic health records.

Qualifications

Education
Master's degree (postgraduate degree)
Experience
2+ years of experience

Key Skills

Substance use counselingEvidence-based practiceCrisis intervention

Addiction Medicine — Counselor Career Context

Of the 50 active Substance Use / Addiction Counselor listings this role was benchmarked against, 44% are remote, 32% have no call, 66% require no weekends.

The cost-of-living index for Michigan is 96.2 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)), so the posted ~$54k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $56k in an average-cost state. 61.8% of Michigan clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).

Work-Life Balance Analysis

WeekdayDoc's proprietary algorithm rates Substance Use Counselor at Alpharus Health 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.

Top Counselor Jobs

30 matches · ranked by pay

Salary Distribution30 jobs · 23 employers

8
<$75k
10
$75k-90k
6
$90k-105k
6
$105k-120k

Annual compensation range

Benefits & Perks26 jobs · 23 employers

401k / retirement match
100% this job
Loan repayment
38% this job
CME allowance
38% this job
PSLF eligible
31% this job
Sign-on bonus
23%

Share of similar jobs offering each benefit

#1

Licensed Clinical Therapist (LCSW, LPC, LMFT)

LifeStance Health · Milwaukee, Wisconsin

$84k-$113k
#2

Licensed Mental Health Therapist (LMFT, LPCC, LPP, LCSW)

Gotham Enterprises · Nicholasville, Kentucky

$100k-$110k
#3

Mental Health Clinician (LMFT, LCSW, LMSW)

$90k-$110k
#4

Licensed Therapist (LCSW, LMHC, LMFT) $5k+ Signing Bonus!

$84k-$107k
+ 28 more · ranked by pay

Work-life snapshot

median 6.1this job 6.0
Better work-life than 50% of Substance Use / Addiction Counselor listings

Listing-based score, 0–10, across 1,008 comparable listings. Shaded area = the share scoring below this one.

  • No weekends

Living in Kincheloe

Median resident rent
$854/mo
Residents’ average commute
19 min
State income tax
Up to 4.3%
Sources & methodology

Sources: U.S. Census ACS 2024 five-year.

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

Alpharus Health logo

About Alpharus Health

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

Benefits & Perks

Medical, dental, and vision insurance
Employee wellness program
Employee assistance programs
403(b) Retirement Plan with 3% employer match
Short-term and Long-term Disability and Life and AD&D Insurance
Flexible Spending Accounts
Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)
18 paid time off days per year