Crisis Continuum of Care Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor

Ada S. McKinley Community Services, Inc•Chicago, IL

10d•Onsite

About The Position

The Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC) provides substance use assessment, treatment planning, counseling, relapse prevention, psychoeducation, and care coordination for youth, adults, and families impacted by substance use disorders and co-occurring mental health and behavioral health needs. This position supports recovery-oriented, trauma-informed, and culturally responsive services while ensuring timely, accurate, and audit-defensible documentation in accordance with payer, regulatory, and organizational standards. The Crisis Continuum of Care CADC functions under the Crisis Continuum of Care Program and serves as a flexible, cross-program Substance Use Specialist. This role is fluid across Mobile Response and Stabilization Services (MRSS), the Crisis Stabilization Program, and the 590 Crisis Program, providing consistent substance use expertise, consultation, and direct clinical support wherever operationally needed.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree qualifying as an Illinois Mental Health Professional (MHP); QMHP preferred.
Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC certified). Or must obtain within 1 year.
Knowledge of Illinois MRSS / 590 standards preferred.
Experience in community behavioral health crisis intervention preferred.
Valid Illinois driver's license, reliable transportation, and proof of insurance.
Demonstrate professionalism, flexibility, accountability, and cultural responsiveness.
Maintain HIPAA compliance and confidentiality.

Nice To Haves

QMHP preferred.
Knowledge of Illinois MRSS / 590 standards preferred.
Experience in community behavioral health crisis intervention preferred.

Responsibilities

Conduct substance use screenings, biopsychosocial assessments, and ongoing reassessments in accordance with program and regulatory requirements.
Develop individualized treatment plans with measurable goals, interventions, and discharge criteria based on client need, readiness, and level of care.
Provide individual, group, and family counseling related to substance use, relapse prevention, recovery support, coping skills, and behavior change.
Facilitate psychoeducational groups focused on substance use, triggers, decision making, healthy relationships, harm reduction, and wellness.
Maintain timely and accurate progress notes, treatment plans, assessments, discharge summaries, and all related clinical documentation in the designated electronic health record.
Coordinate care with internal and external providers, including therapists, case managers, medical staff, schools, probation, child welfare, and community partners, as appropriate.
Support crisis response, safety planning, and linkage to higher or lower levels of care when clinically indicated.
Provide expertise and consultation to multidisciplinary staff regarding substance use disorders, evidence-based treatment approaches, and co-occurring behavioral health conditions.
Support staff with substance use screening, brief interventions, motivational interviewing, harm reduction strategies, safety planning, and overdose prevention education.
Assist individuals and families with linkage and coordination to substance use treatment services, including detoxification, residential treatment, outpatient services, Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT), recovery support services, and community resources.
Provide education and psychoeducation to individuals, families, and staff regarding substance use disorders, recovery principles, relapse prevention, and stigma reduction.
Serve as the primary Substance Use Specialist for the Crisis Continuum of Care and remain available to provide consultation to MRSS team members and all Crisis Continuum of Care staff as operational needs require.
Monitor client engagement, attendance, treatment progress, and barriers to participation.
Provide services within MRSS, Crisis Stabilization Program, and the 590 Crisis Program.
Maintain competency across all Crisis Continuum of Care programs.
Complete all required program-specific training.
Adapt to changing assignments based on operational needs.
Collaborate with Team Leads, Program Manager, Director, LPHAs, Peer Support Specialists, Case Managers, Nurses, APNs, Psychiatrists, hospitals, schools, law enforcement, 988, community providers, and Managed Care Organizations.
Maintain timely and accurate electronic health record documentation.
Complete documentation within agency-established timelines.
Maintain compliance with Medicaid, IDHS, HFS, agency policy, and professional standards.
Participate in supervision, quality improvement, and required trainings.