Counselor

Pinnacle Treatment Centers • Santa Maria, CA

25d

About The Position

Pinnacle Treatment Centers is a provider of addiction treatment services focused on compassionate, evidence-based care and patients’ holistic well-being. The Counselor supports patients’ recovery from substance use disorders by providing assessment, individualized treatment planning, counseling, referrals, risk monitoring, and coordination with clinical and community resources.

The position involves intake and discharge work, biopsychosocial assessment, individual and group counseling, and documentation in accordance with applicable regulations, CARF guidelines, and Pinnacle policies. Counselors also participate in treatment teams, training, community outreach, and other program activities. Compensation depends on counselor tier, experience, education, licensure, and credentials: Counselor I is listed at $20–$22 per hour, Counselor II at $22–$25 per hour, and Counselor III at $25–$28 per hour for certified counselors or $28–$31 per hour 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.
• Counselor I, Kern County: Bachelor’s degree, or high school diploma/GED with 75% of certification education.
• Counselor II: Associate degree in a relevant field or a majority of approved counselor certification courses, plus the license or certification necessary to provide counseling services.
• Counselor II, Kern County: Bachelor’s degree or completion of 75% of required counselor certification courses.
• Counselor II: 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 under DHCS requirements.
• Counselor II: 2–5 years of experience or master’s-level counselor qualification, as stated in the posting.
• Counselor III: Relevant degree and licensed, license-eligible, or certified status; 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, if license-eligible: Maintain Board requirements for practice, including 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; employees must be credentialed before providing counseling services under DHCS requirements.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor’s degree or higher for Counselor I.
• Free clinical supervision may be available depending on licensure and availability.

Responsibilities

• Orient new patients to program rules, policies, procedures, and patient rights.
• Conduct intakes, discharge planning, initial assessments, and initial treatment plans within required timeframes.
• Involve patients in assessment, treatment planning, and treatment interventions.
• Administer and update biopsychosocial assessments covering addiction, medical and mental health history, socioeconomic circumstances, legal matters, and other relevant areas.
• Use patients’ strengths, needs, abilities, and preferences to develop and implement individualized treatment plans.
• Determine the clinical necessity of counseling services based on assessment and evaluation.
• Monitor and document changes in patients’ circumstances and identify relapse indicators to support early intervention and relapse prevention.
• Assess high-risk conditions and administer BAM-R, C-SSRS, GAD-7, and PHQ-9 screening tools as applicable.
• Evaluate risks and the appropriateness of treatment in an opioid treatment program compared with residential or other treatment modalities.
• Review involvement of other practitioners, recommend specialist referrals when needed, and request patient authorization to coordinate care.
• Flag and refer high-risk patients to Medical Directors, Physician Extenders, or Regional Clinical Leadership according to urgency and referral procedures.
• Review physician notes following care for high-risk patients and escalate unaddressed concerns 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 counseling and referral services for patients’ clinical and special needs, including referrals to internal specialists, support groups, and community resources.
• Provide individual and group counseling as clinically necessary, including counseling related to relapse prevention, peer pressure, anger management, domestic violence, parenting, family preservation, and vocational rehabilitation.
• Use counseling techniques such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Motivational Interviewing.
• Schedule 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 regulations, CARF guidelines, and Pinnacle policies.
• Participate in community relations and outreach efforts.
• Attend recommended training, including physician training for counselors, Regional Clinical Leadership training, and case conferences with program 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 a 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 potential forgiveness of 100% of their student loans.
• 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: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Associate degree