Counselor

Pinnacle Treatment Brand • Modesto, CA

15d • $20 - $30

About The Position

Pinnacle Treatment Centers is a provider of comprehensive addiction treatment services using evidence-based practices and compassionate care. The Counselor supports patients recovering from substance use disorders by assessing their needs, developing individualized treatment plans, providing counseling, and coordinating referrals and care with other practitioners and community resources. The position is scheduled Monday through Friday, 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

The role involves conducting intakes and assessments, supporting patients’ participation in their recovery plans, monitoring changes and relapse indicators, identifying and escalating high-risk conditions, and maintaining documentation in accordance with applicable regulations, CARF guidelines, and Pinnacle policies. Counselors provide individual and group counseling, use techniques such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Motivational Interviewing, and work with clinical and administrative teammates to support patient safety and continuity of care.

Pinnacle offers compensation and career progression based on experience, education, licensure, and credentials. Counselor tiers have stated hourly ranges: Counselor I, $20–$21; Counselor II, $21–$24; and Counselor III, $24–$27 for certified counselors or $27–$30 for licensed counselors.

Requirements

• Counselor I: Associate degree in a relevant field and the registration or credentials necessary to provide counseling services to the patient population.
• Kern County Counselor I applicants must have a bachelor’s degree or a high school diploma/GED with 75% certification education.
• Counselor II: Associate degree in a relevant field or a majority of approved counselor certification courses, and the license or certification necessary to provide counseling services.
• Kern County Counselor II applicants must have a bachelor’s degree or 75% of required counselor certification courses.
• Counselor II: Registration or certification by a certifying organization recognized by the Department of Alcohol and Drug Programs; proof of registration is required immediately upon employment, and employees must be registered before providing counseling services under DHCS requirements.
• Counselor II: 2–5 years of experience or master’s-level education.
• Counselor III: Degree and credentials must include licensure, license eligibility, or certification; effective clinical skills in complex cases are required.
• 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 applicants who are license-eligible must maintain Board requirements for practice, including required clinical supervision by 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 under DHCS requirements.

Nice To Haves

• Counselor I: Bachelor’s degree or higher.

Responsibilities

• Orient new patients to program rules, policies, procedures, and patient rights.
• Conduct intakes, discharge planning, initial assessments, and initial treatment plans within applicable timelines and regulatory, CARF, and company requirements.
• Involve patients in assessment, treatment planning, and interventions to support their ownership of recovery.
• Administer biopsychosocial assessments at intake and on an ongoing basis, covering addiction, medical and mental health history, socioeconomic circumstances, legal matters, and other areas of patients’ lives.
• Use patients’ Strengths, Needs, Ability, and Preferences (SNAP) to develop and implement individualized treatment plans and determine the clinical necessity of counseling services.
• Monitor and document changes in patients’ circumstances, identify relapse indicators, and address them with early relapse-prevention interventions.
• Implement Medical Quality Assurance and Clinical Risk Management policies, assess high-risk conditions, and administer BAM-R, C-SSRS, GAD-7, and PHQ-9 screening tools.
• Evaluate high-risk cases, consider the appropriateness of OTP treatment compared with other modalities, review involvement of other practitioners, recommend referrals, and seek releases of information when appropriate.
• Flag and refer high-risk patients to Medical Directors, Physician Extenders, or Regional Clinical Leadership according to urgency and applicable referral processes.
• Review physician notes after high-risk patient sessions and escalate any unaddressed concerns to the supervising counselor and clinic manager.
• Advise relevant staff in writing about high-risk patients and their conditions, and maintain and circulate treatment team or case conference minutes.
• Provide counseling and referral services, including referrals to specialized services, support groups, and community resources, and liaise with outside agencies as necessary.
• 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, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Motivational Interviewing.
• Schedule regular patient counseling sessions, issue appointment cards, and record appointments and changes in the EHR scheduler.
• Document counseling services with required signatures and dates in accordance with applicable regulations, CARF guidelines, and company policies.
• Participate in community relations and outreach.
• Attend recommended training, including physician training of counselors and RCL training, and participate in case conferences with physicians and physician assistants.
• Collect research data when requested.
• Observe collection of patients’ urine samples when required.
• Attend team meetings and complete required training courses on time.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Variable compensation based on experience, education, and licensure.
• Career advancement opportunities through the Counselor Tier Program.
• Monthly performance-based bonuses recognizing quality patient care.
• Eligibility at 90% of facilities for the federal Student Loan Repayment Program, which selects applicants for 100% student loan forgiveness.
• 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, subject to licensure and availability.

What This Job Offers

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