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Community Medical Centers
Stockton, California

Substance Use Counselor II

CounselorFull-Time

Listed compensation

$25-$34.07/hr

The week · per this posting · weekdays assumed

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

Posted 10m ago · Verified live

Job Description

Job Details:

Job Location: CMC Respite Center - Stockton, CA, Position Type: Full Time, Salary Range: $25.00 - $34.07Hourly, At Community Medical Centers (CMC), we’re passionate about improving health and well-being in the communities we call home.

That’s why we work to ensure even our most vulnerable neighbors have affordable access to quality healthcare, regardless of age, income, or background. We offer integrated medical, dental, behavioral health, and supportive services, with a model of care that puts the patient at the center of a team-based approach.

As one of the region’s largest healthcare providers, our growing network of neighborhood health centers serves over 100,000 patients in San Joaquin and Solano counties. MISSION Working together to improve health and well-being in our communities.

BENEFITS Competitive Pay Medical, Dental, & Vision benefits options for full-time employees Flexible spending account for medical expenses Dependent care Employee assistance program Life Insurance Pet Insurance Short Term/Long Term Disability Insurances 403(b) retirement saving plan with company match 10 paid sick days/12 Holidays/Vacations days vary on position In Shape Discounted Gym Membership Excellent growth and advancement opportunities Collaborative and diverse environment POSITION SUMMARY: The primary focus of the Substance Use Counselor II is to use a patient centered approach and effective communication to assist patients to cope with the substance abuse and dependence issues and practical arrangements related to the patient’s illness.

Effective outreach and engagement strategies that establish trust and overcome barriers resulting from isolation, stigma, and the symptoms of mental health and/or substance use problems will be utilized.

A sustained support model to meet basic needs and respond to individual preferences as well as trauma-informed services that restore hope will be utilized.

The Substance Use Counselor II is a member of the healthcare team providing assessments, coordination, treatment planning, information and referral to community resources and other social work services.

The primary goal and offered individualized and group intensive substance use services using a multidisciplinary approach, including, but not limited to: Mental health and substance use assessment; health system navigation; housing and benefits advocacy; health coaching, referrals and brief treatment, pharmacy consultation and supportive counseling.

The Substance Use Counselor II reports to the Director of Substance Use. SPECIFIC DUTIES: Promotes the mission, vision, and values of the organization. Conducts individual counseling related to substance use, substance use treatment and recovery services.

Transports/escorts patients to/off hospital grounds to patient care activities. Performs patient and family interviews/ assessments to obtain psychosocial histories. Conducts environmental and patient safety rounds to ensure safety of the patients.

Participates with the multidisciplinary treatment team in the development, implementation and evaluation of treatment or therapy approaches for patients and their families in all phases of comprehensive substance use and/or mental health programs.

Maintains communication between patients, family, care-team, and other employees utilizing appropriate channels and assists in coordinating patient linkage with substance use recovery services. Monitors and documents client and patient progress in substance use/mental health recovery.

Develops and promotes interest in the substance use and/or mental health fields by speaking before community groups. Uses effective communication skills and motivational interviewing techniques to obtain relevant psycho-social information from patients and families.

Identifies financial, environmental, emotional, and social factors which greatly contributes to the condition/illness or work against the ability of the patient and family/caregiver to benefit from medical and health care.

Creates and implements an efficient and sure social work treatment scheme for patients and families/caregivers based on analysis of the psycho-social factors as well as the medical illness of the patient.

Conducts home visits that would help identify the need for added equipment or service and arranges supportive services as appropriate. Collaborates with primary care providers, the behavioral health clinician, pharmacist, and other members of the treatment team through a multi- or interdisciplinary approach. Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS: High School Diploma or GED. One year of experience as a Substance Use Counselor Alcohol and Drug Counselor Certificate issued by the State of California. Must possess knowledge of chemical dependency, substance use and personality dynamics of the substance user.

Excellent Microsoft Office Program skills. Must be in possession of a valid California Driver’s License. Current BLS Certificate or ability to obtain a BLS Certificate.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: Knowledge of principles and practices of counseling techniques Knowledge of community resources and referral agencies Knowledge of group dynamics Knowledge of office management principles and practices Skill in counseling Skill in interviewing and communicating to elicit information and cooperation from patients Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with patients, staff, and the public Skill in public speaking Skill in facilitating support groups.

Ability to write reports, correctly reflecting intervention, and document progress. TYPICAL PHYSICAL DEMANDS: May require sitting for long periods of time; also stooping, bending, and stretching for files and supplies. May require lifting up-to 25 pounds.

Vision must be correctable to 20/40 and hearing must be in the normal range for telephone contacts. Requires ability to drive to outreach areas for presentations and other activities. TYPICAL WORKING CONDITIONS: Work is performed in an office environment within a clinic setting.

Involves frequent contact with staff and the public. Work may be stressful at times. Contact may involve dealing with upset people.

This job description is not intended to be a complete list of all responsibilities, skills, or duties required for the job and is subject to review and change at any time, with or without notice, in accordance with the needs of Community Medical Centers.

Since no job description can detail all the duties and responsibilities that may be required from time to time in the performance of a job, duties, and responsibilities that may be inherent in a job, reasonably required for its performance, or required due to the changing nature of the job shall also be considered part of the jobholder’s responsibility.

Community Medical Centers is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

It is CMC’s policy to provide equal employment opportunities to all persons, regardless of age, national origin, race (including hair texture and hairstyle), color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), parental status, disability, genetic information (including family medical history), political affiliation, military service, or other non-merit based factors.

Key Responsibilities

The Substance Use Counselor II provides patient-centered substance use assessments, treatment planning, and counseling within a multidisciplinary healthcare team. They also facilitate health system navigation, conduct home visits, and advocate for patient needs to support recovery and well-being.

Requirements

Candidates must possess a High School Diploma or GED and at least one year of experience as a Substance Use Counselor. A valid Alcohol and Drug Counselor Certificate issued by the State of California and a valid driver's license are required.

Qualifications

Education
Professional certificate or licensure

Key Skills

Substance use counselingCrisis interventionPsychosocial assessmentCase managementGroup facilitationDocumentationTrauma-informed carePatient advocacySafety monitoring

Addiction Medicine — Counselor Career Context

Of the 41 active Substance Use / Addiction Counselor listings this role was benchmarked against, 46% are remote, 39% have no call, 61% require no weekends.

The cost-of-living index for California is 110.7 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)), so the posted ~$61k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $55k in an average-cost state. 63.6% of California clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).

Top Counselor Jobs

33 matches · ranked by pay

Salary Distribution33 jobs · 21 employers

5
<$85k
11
$85k-100k
7
$100k-115k
10
$115k-130k

Annual compensation range

Benefits & Perks24 jobs · 21 employers

401k / retirement match
100% this job
CME allowance
33%
Sign-on bonus
29%
Loan repayment
8%
Relocation assistance
8%

Share of similar jobs offering each benefit

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#3

Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC)

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Work-life snapshot

median 6.1this job 3.0
Better work-life than 30% of Substance Use / Addiction Counselor listings

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

Living in Stockton

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$412k
Typical market rent
$2,010/mo
Residents’ average commute
32 min
State income tax
Up to 13.3%
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.

Community Medical Centers logo

About Community Medical Centers

Hospitals and Health Care
Stockton, CA
501-1,000 employees

Benefits & Perks

Competitive Pay
Medical, Dental, & Vision benefits
Flexible spending account
Dependent care
Employee assistance program
Life Insurance
Pet Insurance
Short Term/Long Term Disability Insurances