Hackensack Meridian Health logo
Hackensack Meridian Health
Belle Mead, New Jersey

Licensed Addictions Counselor I - Full Time - Behavioral Health

Addiction CounselorIncludes weekendsFull-Time

Listed compensation

$69,534.40

The week · per this posting · weekdays assumed

Ask the employer about call expectations, nights and shift pattern and time off.

Posted 14m ago · Verified live

Job Description

Our team members are the heart of what makes us better. At Hackensack Meridian Health we help our patients live better, healthier lives — and we help one another to succeed. With a culture rooted in connection and collaboration, our employees are team members. Here, competitive benefits are just the beginning.

It’s also about how we support one another and how we show up for our community. Together, we keep getting better - advancing our mission to transform healthcare and serve as a leader of positive change.

The Licensed Addictions Counselor I provides individual, family and group therapies and case management to individuals who have substance use disorders.

*This position will be based out of Carrier, however, the clinician may travel to other hospitals to meet with patients.

Responsibilities

  • A day in the life of a Licensed Addictions Counselor I at Hackensack Meridian Health includes:
  • Completes patient assessment upon intake, including biopsychosocial, ASAM LOC, ASI (Addiction Severity Index), and other related intake documents.
  • Obtains collateral information and engages family, significant others and referral sources.
  • Provides substance use counseling services to Inpatient and/or IOP clients in individual, group and family modalities utilizing evidence-based interventions.
  • Communicates patient participation/progress to the treatment team

Identifies relevant goals, objectives and interventions documented on the Master Treatment Plan in the patient's chart.

Completes documentation of patient's progress including group and individual progress notes, ASAM notes, NJ SAMS and other documentation as required.

Interacts in a mature and professional manner with patients, visitors and staff. Demonstrates a courteous, cooperative, pleasant and positive attitude. Maintains strict standards of confidentiality.

Meets for weekly group supervision and individual supervision on a regular basis and complies with regulations set forth by the appropriate Division of Consumer Affairs professional licensing board.

Maintains current knowledge of developments within the field of one's specialization by attending in-service programs, conferences or continuing education as stated in the department's policy on professional development.

Participates in departmental meetings, safety huddles, problem solving teams, in-services and other meetings as called by supervisory staff.

  • Handles and disposes of infections and hazardous materials per policies and procedures.
  • Models the 5 Cs standards of behavior.
  • Maintains standards of behavior as established in the Organizational Ethics and Codes of Conduct Policy.

Performs other related duties as assigned or requested. Meets or exceeds expectations of patients, hospital and staff members, in person or via the telephone in the course of performing assigned accountabilities.

  • Adheres to HMH Organizational competencies and standards of behavior.
  • Works with the utilization management team to complete peer to peer reviews and initiate appeals.
  • Develops and implements specialized groups to meet the needs of the current population.

Qualifications

Education, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required

  • Master's Degree in Social Work, Counseling, Psychology or related field.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Proficient computer skills that may include but are not limited to Microsoft Office and/or Google Suite platforms.

Education, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Preferred

  • Knowledge of ASAM criteria.
  • Knowledge of Trauma Informed Care.

Licenses and Certifications Required

BLS AHA Basic Health Care Life Support HCP Certification and Handle W/ Care certification within 90 days of entering position.

  • Licensed Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor or NJ Licensed Social Worker or Associate Counselor License.
  • Must be working towards the Licensed Clinical Alcohol & Drug Counselor (LCADC) if not already licensed.
  • If you believe the above description speaks directly to your strengths and capabilities, then please apply today!
  • Starting Minimum Rate
  • Minimum rate of $69,534.40 Annually

Job Posting Disclosure

HMH is committed to pay equity and transparency for our team members.

The posted rate of pay in this job posting is a reasonable good faith estimate of the minimum base pay for this role at the time of posting in accordance with the New Jersey Pay Transparency Act and does not reflect the full value of our market-competitive total rewards package.

The starting rate of pay is provided for informational purposes only and is not a guarantee of a specific offer.

Posted hourly rates may be stated as an annual salary in the offer and posted annual salaries may be stated as an hourly rate in the offer, depending on the level and nature of the job duties and credentials of the candidate.

The base compensation determined at the time of the offer may be different than the posted rate of pay based on a number of non-discriminatory factors, including but not limited to: Labor Market Data: Compensation is benchmarked against market data to ensure competitiveness.

Experience: Years of relevant work experience. Education and Certifications: Level of education attained, including specialized certifications, credentials, completed apprenticeship programs or advanced training. Skills: Demonstrated proficiency in relevant skills and competencies.

Geographic Location: Cost of living and market rates for the specific location. Internal Equity: Compensation is determined in a manner consistent with compensation ranges for similar roles within the organization.

Budget and Grant Funding: Departmental budgets and any grant funding associated with the job position may impact the pay that can be offered. Some jobs may also be eligible for performance-based incentives, bonuses, or commissions not reflected in the starting rate.

Certain positions may also be eligible for shift differentials for work performed on evening, night, or weekend shifts.

In addition to our compensation for full-time and part-time (20+ hours/week) job positions, HMH offers a comprehensive benefits package, including health, dental, vision, paid leave, tuition reimbursement, and retirement benefits.

Qualifications

Education
Master's degree (postgraduate degree)

Key Skills

Biopsychosocial assessmentIndividual therapyGroup therapyFamily therapyTreatment planningCrisis intervention

Addiction Medicine — Counselor Career Context

Of the 50 active Substance Use / Addiction Counselor listings this role was benchmarked against, 56% are remote, 40% have no call, 74% require no weekends.

The cost-of-living index for New Jersey is 108.8 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)). 63.8% of New Jersey clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).

How many Substance Use / Addiction Counselor jobs are remote?
MeasureThis jobMarket
Cost of livingNew Jersey index 108.8US average = 100BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)
Substance Use / Addiction Counselor listings in New Jersey337 active13,538 nationallylive on WeekdayDoc, Nov 2026
Work settingon-sitepeers: 56% remote · 40% no call · 74% no weekends50 benchmarked listings
Sign-on & loan repaymentnot statedNew Jersey Counselor listings: 9% state a sign-on bonus (median $6k) · 5% offer loan repayment337 active listings, Nov 2026
New Addiction Medicine listings460 in the last 30 days259 the 30 days before (+78%)U.S., first seen on WeekdayDoc, Nov 2026
Sources: WeekdayDoc live listing index, BEA Regional Price Parities (2024); as of Nov 2026. Same values as the Weekday Verdict and Market Insights on this page.

Top Counselor Jobs

37 matches · ranked by pay

Salary Distribution

37 jobs · 27 employers
14
<$80k
10
$80k-95k
7
$95k-110k
4
$110k-125k
2
$125k+

Annual compensation range

Benefits & Perks

25 jobs
401k / retirement match
88% this job
Sign-on bonus
32%
CME allowance
28%

Share of similar jobs offering each benefit

#1

Behavioral Health Specialist Requires LCSW LPC or LMFT

CVS Health · Sun City, Arizona

$61k-$130k
#2

Licensed Clinical Mental Health Therapist - LICSW - LPCC - LMFT

LifeStance Health · Saint Louis Park, Minnesota

$74k-$126k
#3

Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMFT, LMHC, LCSW)

$115k-$120k
#4

Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMFT, LCSW, LPC)

$115k-$120k
+ 35 more · ranked by pay

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.

  • On-site
  • Includes weekends
Hackensack Meridian Health logo

About Hackensack Meridian Health

Hospitals and Health Care
Edison, New Jersey
10,000+ employees

Benefits & Perks

Health insurance
Dental insurance
Vision insurance
Paid leave
Tuition reimbursement
Retirement benefits

Living in Belle Mead

Median resident rent
$2,627/mo≈ 45% of gross pay
Residents’ average commute
38 min
State income tax
Up to 10.8%
Sources & methodology

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

Ratios use this listing’s gross annual pay. Not a cost-of-living guarantee.