AOD Certified Substance Use Disorder Counselor

South Coast Children's Society•Rancho Cucamonga, CA

About The Position

The Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) Certified Substance Use Disorder Counselor provides substance use disorder counseling, education, case coordination, recovery support, and related services to people experiencing substance use and co-occurring behavioral health conditions. The counselor works as part of an interdisciplinary behavioral health team to assess client needs; develop and implement individualized treatment and recovery plans; provide individual and group counseling; support treatment engagement and retention; coordinate services; and document care in accordance with agency, payer, contractual, and regulatory requirements. The role requires a current AOD/SUD counselor certification recognized by the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS), or another qualifying credential specifically permitted by the program and applicable regulations. The counselor works within their education, certification, competency, and authorized scope of practice, consulting or escalating to licensed clinical, medical, supervisory, or emergency personnel when client needs exceed that scope. Work may take place in office, clinic, community, school, residential, client-home, or other behavioral health settings. The position may involve contact with clients experiencing significant behavioral health symptoms, substance use, emotional distress, or crisis situations. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with applicable law. The job description outlines the general nature and level of work, and duties may change based on program, contractual, regulatory, and organizational needs.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED required.
Completion of applicable AOD/SUD counselor education and training requirements required.
Must possess and maintain an active, good-standing AOD/SUD counselor certification recognized by the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) through a DHCS-recognized certifying organization, or another certification subsequently recognized by DHCS. Examples may include CADC, CATC, or SUDCC, depending on the certifying organization.
A registered counselor who has not obtained full certification may be considered only when specifically permitted for the position and program and when all current DHCS registration, education, supervision, and certification-timeline requirements are met.
Must successfully complete all background checks, clearances, and health requirements applicable to the position and program.
Must complete required continuing education and agency training.
Must maintain current CPR/First Aid certification when required by the program.
A valid California driver's license, acceptable driving record, and automobile insurance may be required for community-based positions.
Must be able to travel within the community and between agency locations when required.
Must be able to use an electronic health record and other agency technology required to perform essential job functions.

Nice To Haves

Associate's or bachelor's degree in behavioral health, psychology, social work, human services, addiction studies, or a related field.
Previous experience providing substance use disorder, behavioral health, recovery, case management, or related human services.
Experience serving individuals with co-occurring mental health and substance use conditions.
Experience working with children, adolescents, adults, and/or families with complex behavioral health needs; may be required depending on program assignment.
Experience in Medi-Cal, Drug Medi-Cal, county-contracted, community behavioral health, or other publicly funded treatment environments.

Responsibilities

Conduct screenings, intake activities, substance use assessments, and other evaluations within the counselor's authorized scope of practice.
Identify substance use patterns, recovery needs, treatment barriers, strengths, risk factors, and appropriate service needs.
Participate in the development, implementation, review, and modification of individualized treatment and recovery plans.
Recognize signs and symptoms of co-occurring mental health conditions and coordinate with licensed clinical professionals when client needs exceed the counselor's scope of practice.
Identify client condition changes that may require additional clinical, medical, psychiatric, or crisis assessment.
Provide individual and group substance use disorder counseling within the counselor's education, certification, competency, and authorized scope.
Facilitate psychoeducational and recovery-focused groups on topics such as substance use, relapse prevention, coping skills, triggers, recovery planning, decision-making, healthy relationships, and natural supports.
Use motivational interviewing and other evidence-informed engagement strategies as appropriate to the program and population served.
Help clients establish realistic and measurable treatment and recovery goals, identify high-risk situations, and develop strategies to support sustained recovery.
Engage family members, caregivers, and other natural supports when clinically appropriate and authorized by the client.
Coordinate services with interdisciplinary treatment team members and external providers.
Assist clients in accessing behavioral health, medical, housing, educational, vocational, social service, recovery, and community resources.
Participate in case conferences, treatment team meetings, care coordination meetings, and other multidisciplinary activities.
Facilitate referrals to appropriate levels of care and community resources, and support continuity of care during transitions between programs, providers, and levels of treatment.
Maintain effective working relationships with community partners and referral sources.
Complete timely, accurate, objective, and clinically appropriate documentation, including assessments, treatment and recovery plans, counseling activities, progress notes, care coordination, referrals, and discharge planning.
Maintain client records in the agency's electronic health record system and ensure documentation supports services provided and complies with applicable requirements.
Protect client confidentiality in accordance with HIPAA, 42 CFR Part 2, California confidentiality requirements, and agency policy.
Maintain professional boundaries and comply with ethical standards governing AOD/SUD counselors.
Participate in documentation reviews, utilization review, quality improvement, compliance activities, and corrective action processes as required.
Recognize behavioral, substance-related, environmental, and other indicators requiring immediate intervention or escalation.
Follow agency procedures for suicidal ideation, self-harm, homicidal ideation, overdose risk, withdrawal concerns, abuse or neglect, and other safety concerns.
Consult immediately with licensed clinical, medical, supervisory, or emergency personnel when client needs exceed the counselor's scope of practice.
Complete mandated and incident reports when applicable and in accordance with agency policy and California law.
Participate in safety planning and crisis response within the counselor's training and scope.
Collaborate with licensed clinicians, physicians, nurse practitioners, nurses, case managers, peer professionals, family support staff, care coordinators, and other team members.
Participate in supervision, team meetings, case consultation, training, and professional development activities.
Communicate significant changes in client status to appropriate treatment team members.
Maintain professional, respectful, trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and client-centered interactions.
Complete required background checks, clearances, health requirements, continuing education, and agency training applicable to the position and program.
Maintain required AOD/SUD certification in good standing and current CPR/First Aid certification when required by the program.
Travel within the community and between agency locations when required, and use an electronic health record and other agency technology needed for essential job functions.