Substance Abuse Counselor, Assertive Community Treatment
Listed compensation
$49k-$54k
The week · per this posting · Monday – FridayWeekdays only
Ask the employer about the work setting, call expectations and time off.
Job Description
Schedule: Monday-Friday, day shift| Job Location Type: In Person
Assertive Community Treatment (ACT)
programs provide comprehensive, mobile treatment services for adults with a persistent mental health illness. The program is for individuals who have not found success in traditional outpatient settings and who require individualized treatment services when and where it’s needed.
What to expect.
This is a mobile opportunity to provide individualized treatment to individuals who often respond better to non-traditional therapies, such as walk and talk.
You will meet each client where they are and develop treatment plans built on trust and safety.
Specific Responsibilities Include
- Conducting comprehensive assessments that examine the relationship between substance use and mental health.
- Working with the treatment team, community resources, and support systems to maintain and implement treatment goals.
- Maintaining accurate and timely clinical documentation.
- Transporting and/or accompanying clients to medical and other appointments as needed.
Work hours typically follow a Monday – Friday schedule. Must have availability for occasional evening and/or weekend work. You will have independence and flexibility to schedule your appointments and complete your work under the program director’s direct approval and supervision.
What you’ll get from us.
At Sheppard Pratt, you will work alongside a multi-disciplined team led by a bold vision to change lives. We offer:
- A commitment to professional development, including a comprehensive tuition reimbursement program to support ongoing education and licensure and/or certification preparation
- Free clinical supervision to those working towards licensure
- Licensing and certification preparation assistance
- Comprehensive medical, dental and vision benefits for benefit eligible positions
- 403b retirement match
- Generous paid-time-off for benefit eligible positions
- Complimentary Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Grand rounds, CME opportunities, and on-site lectures
- Cross-discipline collaboration
The pay range for this position is $49,275.20 minimum to $53,560 maximum. Pay for this position is determined on a number of factors, including but not limited to, license and years and level of related experience.
What we need from you.
One of the Following Certifications
- Alcohol and Drug Trainee (ADT)
- Certified Supervised Counselor - Alcohol and Drug (CSC-AD)
- Certified Associate Counselor-Alcohol and Drug (CAC-AD).
- Licensed Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LCADC).
- Licensed Graduate Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LGADC).
- If holding an ADT status at time of hire, will be required to obtain CSC-AD certification within 4 years of date of hire, not to exceed the State Board renewal eligibility period.
- Two years of work experience (including volunteer work)
- A driver’s license with 3-points or less and access to an insured vehicle.
Why Sheppard Pratt?
At Sheppard Pratt, we are more than just a workplace. We are a community of healthcare professionals who are dedicated to providing hope and healing to individual’s facing life’s challenges. Join us and be a part of a mission that changes lives!
Key Responsibilities
Conduct comprehensive assessments to evaluate the relationship between substance use and mental health while developing individualized treatment plans. Provide mobile, community-based support and transport clients to necessary medical or support appointments.
Requirements
Requires a valid certification such as ADT, CSC-AD, CAC-AD, LCADC, or LGADC. Candidates must have at least two years of work experience and a valid driver's license with access to an insured vehicle.
Qualifications
- Education
- Professional certificate or licensure
- Experience
- 2+ years of experience
Key Skills
Addiction Medicine — Counselor Career Context
Of the 50 active Substance Use / Addiction Counselor listings this role was benchmarked against, 54% are remote, 32% have no call, 48% require no weekends.
The cost-of-living index for Maryland is 105.0 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)), so the posted ~$51k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $49k in an average-cost state. 62.9% of Maryland clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).
| Measure | This job | Market |
|---|---|---|
| Work-life score | 6.8 / 10 · top 25% in substance use / addiction counselor | ranked against 1,008 Substance Use / Addiction Counselor listingslisting-based score, 0–10 |
| Cost-of-living adjusted pay | ~$49k in purchasing power | Maryland index 105.0 (US = 100)BEA Regional Price Parities (2024) |
| Substance Use / Addiction Counselor listings in Maryland | 393 active | 13,525 nationallylive on WeekdayDoc, Nov 2026 |
| Work setting | on-site | peers: 54% remote · 32% no call · 48% no weekends50 benchmarked listings |
| Sign-on & loan repayment | not stated | Maryland Counselor listings: 13% state a sign-on bonus (median $6k) · 10% offer loan repayment393 active listings, Nov 2026 |
| New Addiction Medicine listings | 464 in the last 30 days | 269 the 30 days before (+72%)U.S., first seen on WeekdayDoc, Nov 2026 |
| Sheppard Pratt | #21 of 37 for pay | Top Employers work-life index |
Work-Life Balance Analysis
WeekdayDoc's proprietary algorithm rates Substance Abuse Counselor, Assertive Community Treatment at Sheppard Pratt a 6.8 out of 10 for work-life balance — classified as good. This places the position in the top 25% in Substance Use / Addiction Counselor — ranked against 1,008 active Substance Use / Addiction Counselor listings on WeekdayDoc. Contributing factors include no weekend requirements, no night shifts.
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