Primary Addiction Counselor- Cayuga Addiction Recovery Services Ithaca Outpatient Clinic- Full Time- Days
Listed compensation
$24-$30/hr
The week · per this posting · Monday – Friday
Ask the employer about the work setting, call expectations, nights and shift pattern and time off.
Job Description
About Cayuga Health
Cayuga Health offers patient-centered, comprehensive health services at Cayuga Medical Center in Ithaca; Schuyler Hospital in Montour Falls; and more than 40 medical offices in the Finger Lakes and Central New York. Cayuga Health employs more than 450 providers from 40+ specialties. Additional services include a neo-natal intensive care unit, a home health care agency, an addiction recovery organization, and a skilled nursing facility.
Cayuga Health is a member of Centralus Health, a community-based integrated delivery system. Our mission is to deliver high-quality care, empower our teams to succeed, and improve the wellbeing of the communities we serve.
Our commitment to quality personalized care begins with our exceptional team—over 6500 employees strong. At Cayuga Health, you will work in a collaborative environment that values excellence, integrity, compassion and stewardship. Together, we create an environment where empathy, honesty and a dedication to quality thrive, empowering us to make a positive impact on the lives we touch.
We offer competitive wages, comprehensive benefits, and professional development opportunities to help our employees grow and thrive. Whether you are just starting your career or taking the next step in healthcare, we invite you to join us in shaping the future of care in our communities.
Learn more at cayugahealth.org.
Job Summary
The Primary Addiction Counselor is responsible for treating and promoting recovery from the effects of substance use, mental health disorders, and other behavioral healthcare issues. This role collaborates with a multidisciplinary treatment team to ensure comprehensive, high quality, and client-centered care.
Roles and Responsibilities
Perform essential counseling responsibilities including screenings, intake and orientation, evaluation and intervention, treatment planning, referrals, crisis intervention, counseling, patient education, case management, reporting and record keeping
- Co-Facilitate psychoeducational groups ranging from small group coaching to didactic sessions
- Exhibit exemplary knowledge of the biopsychosocial process of substance use disorders/recovery, behavioral health, self-help group processes, and principles of counseling.
- Implement existing curricula to engage clients in goal setting and individualized treatment planning
- Participate as a collaborative member of the Interdisciplinary Treatment Team and attend team meetings
- Maintain regular communication with team members, external providers, and staff to ensure coordinated service delivery
- Knowledge of addiction/recovery, behavioral health, self-help group process and principles of counseling.
Document group notes, individual session notes, and clinical visit summaries in EPIC EMR in accordance with regulatory requirements
Qualifications
Any one of the following licenses or credentials: Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor (CASAC) Licensed mental health practitioner (including permit eligible) Licensed social worker (including permit eligible)
Required Skills and Experience
Bachelor's degree in human services or related field; or equivalent combination of education and SUD experience total 4 years. QHP status required (see above Qualifications section).
- Two years employment experience in the Human Services field.
- A basic understanding of addiction and recovery issues.
- Knowledge of basic counseling techniques, including treatment planning is essential.
Working knowledge of motivational interviewing, cognitive behavioral therapy, strength-based principle of treatment and an individualized approach to treatment.
Preferred Skills and Experience
Master's degree with 4+ years SUD experience. Provisional CASAC, CASAC or other QHP.
Physical Requirements
Frequent hand and finger use (e. g., to operate a computer keyboard).
Lifting and carrying items up to 40 lbs. (e. g., boxes, equipment), with or without reasonable accommodation.
Ability to stoop, kneel, or crouch for tasks such as retrieving items from lower shelves or filing in low drawers.
- Ability to sit, stand, or walk for extended periods, as the position may require.
- Capacity to operate job-related equipment, with or without reasonable accommodation.
Location and Travel Requirements
- Location: Onsite CARS Ithaca Outpatient Clinic: 334 West State Street, Ithaca, NY 14850
- Shift: Five(5) 8-hour shifts 8am - 5pm Monday through Friday; Federal Holidays off
- Travel: 0% Travel can be expected in this role
Pay Range Disclosure
Standard rate of $24.00 - $30.00 per hour plus benefits
Centralus Health and its affiliates are committed to treating all patients, providers, staff and volunteers equitably and with dignity, ensuring the highest levels of safety, care and respect, and striving to recognize and overcome biases and policies that contribute to disparities in healthcare access, equitable care and positive health outcomes for all.
We are proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer, supporting the growth and health of our employees and community by embracing the rich diversity, needs and circumstances of all peoples and prioritizing opportunities to build a diverse and inclusive workplace. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable protected characteristics.
If you require reasonable accommodation to complete a job application, pre-employment testing, a job interview or to otherwise participate in the hiring process, please contact the Centralus Health Talent Acquisition team at talentacquisition@cayugahealth.org.
Key Responsibilities
The Primary Addiction Counselor performs screenings, intake, treatment planning, and crisis intervention for individuals with substance use and mental health disorders. They also facilitate psychoeducational groups and collaborate with an interdisciplinary team to ensure coordinated, client-centered care.
Qualifications
- Education
- Bachelor degree
- 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, 42% are remote, 28% have no call, 64% require no weekends.
The cost-of-living index for New York is 107.9 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)), so the posted ~$56k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $52k in an average-cost state. 64.6% of New York clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).
| Measure | This job | Market |
|---|---|---|
| Work-life score | 6.4 / 10 · above average in substance use / addiction counselor | ranked against 1,008 Substance Use / Addiction Counselor listingslisting-based score, 0–10 |
| Listed pay | $50k–$62k | Substance Use / Addiction Counselor median $59k (middle half $54k–$66k)55 comparable listings, Oct 2026 |
| Cost-of-living adjusted pay | ~$52k in purchasing power | New York index 107.9 (US = 100)BEA Regional Price Parities (2024) |
| Substance Use / Addiction Counselor listings in New York | 827 active | 13,597 nationallylive on WeekdayDoc, Oct 2026 |
| Work setting | on-site | peers: 42% remote · 28% no call · 64% no weekends50 benchmarked listings |
Work-Life Balance Analysis
WeekdayDoc's proprietary algorithm rates Primary Addiction Counselor- Cayuga Addiction Recovery Services Ithaca Outpatient Clinic- Full Time- Days at Cayuga Medical Center a 6.4 out of 10 for work-life balance — classified as good. This places the position in the Above average in Substance Use / Addiction Counselor — ranked against 1,008 active Substance Use / Addiction Counselor listings on WeekdayDoc. Contributing factors include no weekend requirements.
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