Addiction Counselor

Emory Healthcare • Atlanta, GA

2d • $32 - $38

About The Position

The Addiction Counselor provides advanced clinical services as part of a multidisciplinary treatment team, primarily delivering intensive outpatient group and individual therapy to people with co-occurring substance use disorders and mental health problems. The role integrates mental health treatment with addiction recovery within an abstinence-oriented treatment model. Services include diagnostic assessments, individual and group psychotherapy, crisis intervention, and development of initial individualized treatment plans and updates to ongoing care plans.

The counselor provides substance use disorder and mental health treatment according to Addiction Alliance of Georgia standards of care, policies, and procedures. The role requires recognizing addiction and mental health symptoms according to DSM-5 criteria and integrating motivational interviewing, cognitive behavioral therapy, twelve-step facilitation, dialectical behavioral therapy, and recovery management into therapy. The counselor facilitates family sessions and helps patients, families, and referents understand sober support systems, community support groups, and continuing-care recommendations.

The position also involves participating in program development; delivering educational lectures and trainings; representing Addiction Alliance of Georgia services to various audiences; and supervising students and interns. The counselor communicates patient information in accordance with organizational policies, federal confidentiality and health information privacy requirements, and mandated reporting requirements. They provide clear, complete documentation and information to the multidisciplinary team, use the electronic medical record to support care and communication, and build professional relationships with referents through timely communication about referrals, intake, assessment, and care planning. They initiate or attend team meetings, case reviews, conflict resolutions, family conferences, and consultations as needed.

The counselor helps maintain a safe and secure environment, protects patient privacy and confidentiality, follows applicable emergency and environmental safety standards, works safely with relevant procedures and equipment, and completes incident reports for injuries, theft, vandalism, security concerns, or potential hazards on Emory or Addiction Alliance of Georgia property. Physical demands include lifting and carrying up to 25 pounds, standing and walking, sitting, and close eye work. Environmental exposures may include blood-borne pathogens, biohazardous waste, chemicals, communicable diseases, electrical shock, varied floor surfaces and temperatures, indoor and outdoor conditions, latex, patient-care injuries, radiation, shift work, and travel. Personal protective equipment, including respirators, may be used depending on the work area and tasks.

Requirements

• Completed master's-level degree program in counseling, social work, or equivalent.
• Two years of experience providing counseling in a mental health or addiction treatment environment.
• Independent clinical licensure (LPC, LCSW, and LMSW) with certification to provide care in Georgia.

Nice To Haves

• Experience providing therapy services to adults.
• CACII, CADCII, CAADC, CPCS, CMAC, or equivalent certification.

Responsibilities

• Provide intensive outpatient group and individual therapy to people with co-occurring substance use disorders and mental health problems.
• Conduct diagnostic assessments, individual and group psychotherapy, and crisis intervention.
• Develop initial individualized treatment plans and update ongoing care plans.
• Provide treatment in accordance with Addiction Alliance of Georgia standards, policies, and procedures.
• Recognize addiction and mental health symptoms according to DSM-5 criteria and integrate evidence-based approaches into therapy.
• Facilitate family sessions and help patients, families, and referents understand sober support systems, community support groups, and continuing-care recommendations.
• Participate in program development and conduct educational lectures and trainings.
• Represent Addiction Alliance of Georgia services to various audiences.
• Provide clinical supervision to students and interns.
• Communicate patient information according to applicable organizational policies, confidentiality and privacy requirements, and mandated reporting requirements.
• Provide clear and complete verbal and medical-record documentation to the multidisciplinary team.
• Use the electronic medical record to support efficient care and communication with patients or families.
• Build professional relationships with referents and communicate about referrals, intake, assessment, and care planning.
• Initiate or attend multidisciplinary meetings, case reviews, conflict resolutions, family conferences, and consultations as needed.
• Help maintain a safe and secure environment and protect patient privacy and confidentiality.
• Follow fire, weather, emergency, environmental, and work-area safety procedures; complete incident reports when required.

Benefits

• Comprehensive health benefits starting day one.
• Student loan repayment assistance and reimbursement programs.
• Family-focused benefits.
• Wellness incentives.
• Ongoing mentorship, development, and leadership programs. The description also mentions valuable resources and a supportive environment.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level