Counselor III HBR $28.40+ DOE

Volunteers of America Oregon•Portland, OR

1d•Onsite

About The Position

This Counselor III in Home-Based Recovery (HBR) is responsible for providing comprehensive substance use and mental health treatment services, including individual counseling, group facilitation, assessments, and treatment planning, utilizing evidence-based practices. Additionally, it involves providing mentorship to junior staff.

Requirements

A Master’s degree in a MHACBO-approved field that qualifies for registration as a qualified mental health professional (QMHP), such as social work, counseling, or psychology, is required for this role.
Experience conducting assessments, developing individualized treatment plans, and facilitating individual and group counseling sessions.
Certification as an Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC I).
Must be eligible for registration with MHACBO as a QMHP-R or already registered as a QMHP-C.

Nice To Haves

Experience working in a residential, outpatient, or community-based behavioral health setting preferred.
Familiarity with trauma-informed care, motivational interviewing, and culturally responsive service delivery strongly preferred.
An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience may be used to satisfy these requirements.
CADC I certification must be obtained within 24 months of registering as a CADC I candidate if not already obtained upon hire.

Responsibilities

Provides culturally responsive, trauma-informed services through individual counseling, talk therapy, such as Motivational Interviewing (MI), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and other evidence-based practices, as well as structured group sessions that support client recovery, behavior change, and relapse prevention.
Performs initial and ongoing substance use and mental health assessments, including ASAM and DSM-5-TR, to determine clinical needs and inform individualized treatment planning (independently or under the supervision of a credentialed or licensed mental health professional (QMHP-C, LCSW, LPC)).
Collaborates with clients and supervisors to create and regularly update individualized treatment plans that address substance use, mental health needs, risk factors, and social determinants of health.
Facilitates structured, curriculum-based groups and psychoeducation sessions in the outpatient setting that support skill-building, emotional regulation, relapse prevention, and pro-social behavior.
Responds to client crises and behavioral escalations using clinical judgment and de-escalation techniques, conducts risk screenings and develops safety plans when appropriate, and notifies other individuals as needed.
Conducts routine check-ins during scheduled appointments or outreach to maintain therapeutic engagement with clients, monitor progress, identify support needs, and reinforce recovery goals.
Maintains accurate, timely, and clinically appropriate documentation in the electronic health record, including assessments, progress notes, treatment plans, discharge summaries, and external communications.
Participates in case consultations, clinical supervision, and team-based meetings to review care progress, receive feedback, and enhance service coordination.
Collaborates with external systems such as courts, DHS, PO, medical providers, and housing resources.
Observes clients for signs of relapse, intoxication, withdrawal, or other risk behaviors and follows established protocols to address and document concerns during sessions or client contacts.
Provides informal peer support and mentorship to Counselor I and II staff, assists with documentation, clinical practice, and client engagement strategies.
Supports onboarding and training of new clinical staff by modeling program expectations and evidence-based engagement approaches.
Collaborates with interdisciplinary staff including medical providers, peers, and case managers to align treatment efforts and ensure consistent implementation of care plans.
Participates in new client intakes, including program orientation, screenings, and assessment scheduling.
Routinely incorporates client feedback and outcome monitoring tools (e.g., FIT) to inform clinical decision-making and improve client-centered care.
Contributes to the development and refinement of clinical programming and workflows to ensure alignment with evidence-based practices and outpatient service needs.
Complies with all applicable professional codes of ethics (e.g., MHACBO), agency policies, and federal and state regulations, including HIPAA and 42 CFR Part 2 regarding confidentiality and client rights.
Engages in regular clinical supervision, case consultations, and program meetings to receive feedback, enhance clinical skills, and contribute to team-based service delivery.
Conducts risk screenings (e.g., for suicide, violence, psychosis, or self-neglect) and collaborates in the development of client safety plans in accordance with supervision protocols and clinical best practices.
Conducts regular check-ins and schedules follow-up with clients to monitor progress, assesses well-being, and identifies emerging risks or support needs; escalates concerns per clinical protocols.
Collaborates and communicates regularly with other outpatient staff and program managers to support coordinated care, treatment planning, and quality of service delivery.
Manages administrative responsibilities such as checking email, responding to phone calls, managing appointment schedules, and maintaining timely documentation.
Participates in ongoing training and professional development activities to maintain certification and improve service delivery.
Performs other duties as assigned.

Benefits

Comprehensive health coverage – medical, dental, and vision insurance, with an employee medical premium starting at just $12.50 per paycheck
Financial protection – life insurance, short- and long-term disability insurance
Retirement security – 403(b) with an automatic 5.5% employer contribution after 18 months, regardless of employee participation
Work-life balance – a generous paid time off (PTO) plan, starting with accruals that earn 15 days in the first year, 23 days in the second, and 26 days in the third
Upfront sick leave – 80 hours of front-loaded sick time (prorated in the first year), which resets annually on January 1
Paid holidays – 10 paid holidays each year, plus three personal holidays (prorated in the first year)
Student loan forgiveness – As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, VOA Oregon is a qualifying employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program
Flexible spending accounts
An employee assistance program
Other voluntary benefits and discounts