Substance Use Disorder Counselor (Req 101129)

CounselorFull-Time

Listed compensation

$23-$25.5/hr

The week · per this posting · weekdays assumed

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

Posted 50m ago · Verified live

Job Description

Be a part of the mission at Whitney Young Health (WYH) to provide high quality healthcare that is affordable and accessible to our diverse community.

WYH has a robust benefits package including generous time off, affordable health, dental and vision insurance, 401k with safe harbor employer match, tuition reimbursement, term life insurance, commuter benefits and more!

General Responsibilities

The Substance Use Disorder Counselor (SUD-C) serves as a member of the multidisciplinary team providing recovery-oriented care to individuals with substance use disorders (SUD), co-occurring mental health conditions and chronic co-morbid health issues in the Office of Addictions Services and Supports (OASAS) licensed treatment program(s).

The SUD-C plays an integral role in the facilitation of integrated services-conducting screenings, assessments, individual and group psychoeducation and referrals in the treatment of substance use disorders.

In collaboration with the patient and members of the multi-disciplinary team, the SUD-C develops individualized treatment plans grounded in best practices and harm reduction strategies-designed to empower patients in the pursuit of optimal physical and behavioral health.

Specific Responsibilities

Conducts screenings and face-to-face assessments for all patients seeking treatment for substance use disorders; presents assessments to the multi-disciplinary treatment team and reassesses patients on an on-going basis

Completes level of care determinations and OASAS LOCADTR

Maintain the ability to utilize the latest edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders for individuals with substance abuse disorders.

Maintains knowledge and skills utilized in the treatment of substance use disorders, harm reduction and evidence based treatment approaches.

Sustains a patient caseload and maintains productivity pursuant to industry standard.

Conducts Personal Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7), Social Determinants of Health (SDOH), Fagerstrom Nicotine Screening and other evidenced based risk assessments

Assists patients in developing an individual treatment plan in conjunction with multidisciplinary treatment team and other patient collaterals, as appropriate.

  • Conducts individual and group psychoeducation and counseling.
  • Maintains and protects accurate and timely documentation via the electronic health record (EHR) in adherence with OASAS regulations, OMIG guidelines and WYH policies.
  • Assists in providing a safe and respectful environment for treatment.
  • Attends and participates in all assigned meetings and committees.

Collaborates with other community service providers; ensuring patients have access to a full continuum of care to address individualized needs as identified by the multidisciplinary treatment team and supervisor.

Facilitates referrals to other community based organizations, inpatient/residential facilities and alternative levels of care as appropriate.

Encourages introduction to various support activities, including recovery-oriented mutual support programs and other self-help groups and other social support opportunities.

  • Continues to seek and develop professional growth and activities.
  • Maintains a professional relationship with patients, peers, other providers and the community.
  • Demonstrates excellence in both internal and external customer service.
  • Displays an ability to articulate and ascertain HIPAA, client confidentiality and corporate compliance.

Ensures and/or remains in compliance with local, state, and federal regulation, i. e. DHHS HRSA and NYSDOH, and all accreditation standards (e. g. Joint Commission and NCQA-PCMH).

Adheres to the National Patient Safety Goals as defined by the Joint Commission and Whitney M. Young Jr. Health Center.

Completes other duties as assigned.

Requirements

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Associates Degree in human services or healthcare related field; with at least one (1) year experience working with individuals with substance use and/or mental health disorders; or completion of an approved internship through a certified provider of educational services for New York State Office of Addictions Services and Supports (OASAS).

Preferred Qualifications

Bachelor’s Degree in a human services or a healthcare related field and possession of a NYS State Credential as an Alcohol and Substance Abuse Counselor Trainor trainee (CASAC-T).

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other legally protected status.

Salary Range: $23.00 - $25.50 hourly

Key Responsibilities

The Substance Use Disorder Counselor provides recovery-oriented care, including screenings, assessments, and individual or group counseling. They collaborate with a multidisciplinary team to develop and implement individualized treatment plans grounded in harm reduction strategies.

Qualifications

Education
Bachelor degree

Key Skills

Substance use disorder counselingClinical assessmentTreatment planningCrisis interventionElectronic health record documentationCase managementReferral coordinationHIPAA complianceMental health screeningMultidisciplinary collaborationEvidence-based practice

Addiction Medicine — Counselor Career Context

Of the 50 active Substance Use / Addiction Counselor listings this role was benchmarked against, 26% are remote, 26% have no call, 70% 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 ~$50k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $47k in an average-cost state. 64.6% of New York clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).

Whitney M Young Jr Health Center holds silver-tier status on WeekdayDoc's Top Employers work-life index, composite score 71/100, 4 active listings.

Top Counselor Jobs

44 matches · ranked by pay

Salary Distribution44 jobs · 36 employers

10
<$70k
17
$70k-85k
10
$85k-100k
6
$100k-115k
1
$115k

Annual compensation range

Benefits & Perks33 jobs

401k / retirement match
82% this job
CME allowance
42%
Sign-on bonus
24%
Loan repayment
6%
PSLF eligible
6%

Share of similar jobs offering each benefit

#1

Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC)

LifeStance Health · Providence, Rhode Island

$72k-$115k
#2

Independent Licensed Behavioral Health Clinician

Brown Medicine · Pawtucket, Rhode Island

$68k-$112k
#3

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

$100k-$110k
#4

Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC)

$72k-$110k
+ 42 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.

Living in Albany

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$329k
Typical market rent
$1,631/mo
Residents’ average commute
20 min
Metro price indexU.S. average = 100
99.6
State income tax
Up to 10.9%
Sources & methodology

Sources: Zillow home values (Aug 2026), Zillow market rents (Aug 2026), U.S. Census ACS 2024 five-year.

BEA 2024 · Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY metro prices. Housing figures are city-level.

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

Whitney M Young Jr Health Center logo

About Whitney M Young Jr Health Center

Hospitals and Health Care
Albany, NY
51-200 employees

Benefits & Perks

Generous time off
Affordable health, dental and vision insurance
401k with safe harbor employer match
Tuition reimbursement
Term life insurance
Commuter benefits