Counselor

Pinnacle Treatment Centers • Modesto, CA

15d

About The Position

Pinnacle Treatment Centers is seeking a Counselor to support patients recovering from substance use disorders through compassionate, evidence-based care. The Counselor helps patients navigate recovery by providing assessments, individualized treatment planning, counseling, referrals, and relapse-prevention support. The role also involves identifying and escalating clinical risks, coordinating with medical and clinical colleagues, documenting services, and participating in training and team activities.

The listed schedule is 2:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. The posting describes Counselor I, Counselor II, and Counselor III qualification and compensation tiers; the position title provided is Counselor.

Requirements

• For Counselor I: associate degree in a relevant field and registration or credentials necessary to provide counseling services to the patient population; Kern County requires a bachelor’s degree or a high school diploma/GED with 75% certification education.
• For 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 requires a bachelor’s degree or 75% of required counselor certification courses.
• Counselor II applicants must have counselor registration or certification from 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 per DHCS requirements.
• Counselor II: 2–5 years of experience, or a master’s-level counselor.
• For Counselor III: degrees must include licensed, license-eligible, or certified status, and clinical skills must be effective in complex cases.
• Counselor III applicants must have Alcohol and Other Drug Counselor certification from a California-approved certification agency, or current credentials as licensed or license-eligible with the Board of Behavioral Sciences or Board of Psychology.
• License-eligible Counselor III applicants must maintain Board requirements to practice, including the required clinical supervision from a Board-approved supervisor.
• Counselor III applicants must provide proof of licensure or certification by a state-approved regulatory agency immediately upon employment and be credentialed before providing counseling services per DHCS requirements.

Nice To Haves

• For Counselor I, a bachelor’s degree or higher is preferred.

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 Pinnacle timelines.
• Involve patients in assessment, treatment planning, and interventions to support their participation in recovery.
• Administer biopsychosocial assessments at intake and on an ongoing basis, including evaluation of addiction, medical and mental health history, socioeconomic circumstances, and legal matters.
• Use patients’ strengths, needs, abilities, and preferences (SNAP) to develop 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 initiate relapse-prevention interventions.
• Assess high-risk conditions, administer BAM-R, C-SSRS, GAD-7, and PHQ-9 screening tools, evaluate risks, and recommend referrals or other levels of care when appropriate.
• Coordinate care for high-risk patients, including referrals to medical directors, physician extenders, regional clinical leadership, specialists, or other practitioners as needed.
• Review physician notes and escalate concerns about unaddressed high-risk factors to the supervising counselor and clinic manager.
• Notify relevant staff in writing about high-risk patients and their conditions, and maintain and circulate treatment team or case conference minutes.
• Provide individual and group counseling and referrals addressing clinical and special needs, 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.
• Maintain referrals to specialized services, support groups, and community resources, and liaise with outside agencies as needed.
• Schedule counseling sessions, issue appointment cards, and record scheduled or rescheduled appointments in the EHR scheduler.
• Document counseling services with required signatures and dates in accordance with applicable regulations, CARF guidelines, and Pinnacle policies.
• Participate in community relations and outreach efforts.
• Attend recommended training, physician training for counselors, regional clinical leadership training, and 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

• Competitive 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 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, based on licensure and availability.

What This Job Offers

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