Temporary Counselor

Pinnacle Treatment Brand • Modesto, CA

84d • $20 - $30

About The Position

Pinnacle Treatment Centers is a provider of comprehensive addiction treatment services, using evidence-based practices and compassionate care to support patients’ holistic well-being. The Counselor supports patients recovering from substance use disorders through assessment, treatment planning, counseling, referrals, risk monitoring, and coordination with clinical and community providers. The role is temporary and part-time, Monday through Friday from 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

The position has three counselor tiers with qualifications and compensation based on education, experience, credentials, and licensure. Counselor I is listed at $20–$21 per hour; Counselor II at $21–$24 per hour; Counselor III at $24–$27 per hour for certified candidates and $27–$30 per hour for licensed candidates.

Requirements

• Counselor I and II: Associate degree in a relevant field or a majority of approved counselor certification courses, license, or certification necessary to provide counseling services to the patient population. Kern County requires a bachelor's degree or 75% of required counselor certification courses.
• Counselor I and II: Counselor registration or certification from a certifying organization recognized by the Department of Alcohol and Drug Programs; California registration proof is required immediately upon employment, and employees must be registered before providing counseling services per DHCS.
• Counselor I: 0–2 years of experience.
• Counselor II: 2–5 years of experience or master’s-level education.
• Counselor III: Degree and credentials must include being licensed, license-eligible, or certified; effective clinical skills in complex cases.
• Counselor III: Certification as an Alcohol and Other Drug Counselor through a California-approved certification agency, or current licensed or license-eligible credentials with the Board of Behavioral Sciences or Board of Psychology.
• Counselor III candidates who are license-eligible must meet Board requirements to practice, including receiving the required clinical supervision from a Board-approved supervisor.
• Counselor III: Proof of licensure or certification by a state-approved regulatory agency is required immediately upon employment, and employees must be credentialed before providing counseling services per DHCS.

Responsibilities

• Orient new patients to program rules, policies, procedures, and patient rights.
• Conduct intakes, discharge planning, initial assessments, and initial treatment plans within applicable regulatory, CARF, and company timelines.
• Involve patients in assessment, treatment planning, and interventions.
• Administer and update biopsychosocial assessments covering addiction, medical and mental health history, socioeconomic circumstances, legal matters, and other areas of patients’ lives.
• Use patients’ strengths, needs, abilities, and preferences to create and implement individualized treatment plans and goals.
• Determine the clinical necessity of counseling services based on assessment and evaluation.
• Monitor and document changes in patients’ circumstances, identify relapse indicators, and support early relapse-prevention interventions.
• Follow medical quality assurance and clinical risk management procedures, assess high-risk conditions, administer BAM-R, C-SSRS, GAD-7, and PHQ-9 screening tools, and evaluate risks and treatment suitability.
• Coordinate appropriate referrals for high-risk patients, communicate and document risk information for relevant staff, review physician notes, and maintain and circulate treatment team or case conference minutes.
• Provide professional counseling and referral services, including connecting patients with specialized services, support groups, and community resources.
• Provide individual and group counseling as clinically necessary, addressing issues identified in assessments and treatment plans, including relapse prevention, peer pressure, anger management, domestic violence, parenting, family preservation, and vocational rehabilitation.
• Use advanced counseling techniques such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Motivational Interviewing.
• Schedule counseling sessions, issue appointment cards, and enter scheduled or rescheduled sessions in the EHR scheduler.
• Document counseling services with signatures and dates in accordance with applicable regulations, CARF guidelines, and company policies.
• Participate in community relations and outreach efforts.
• Attend recommended training, physician training, regional clinical leadership training, case conferences, and team meetings; complete required training courses on time.
• Collect research data when requested.
• Observe the collection of patient urine samples when required.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Variable pay based on experience, education, and licensure.
• Career advancement opportunities through the Counselor Tier Program.
• Monthly performance-based bonus incentives.
• Eligibility for the Student Loan Repayment Program at eligible facilities; the program may forgive 100% of student loans for selected applicants.
• Free access to more than 600 continuing education courses.
• 18 days of paid time off, sick leave, and 8 paid holidays.
• Diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.
• Free clinical supervision, based on licensure and availability.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Associate degree