Drug & Alcohol Counselor

UNION COMMUNITY CARE • Lancaster, PA

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Drug & Alcohol Counselor provides counseling and clinical support to clients in residential or outpatient treatment settings, collaborating with interdisciplinary treatment teams and internal and external service providers to deliver coordinated, high-quality care. The role includes monitoring client progress, participating in case reviews, and supporting continuity of care throughout treatment and recovery. Counselors maintain complete and timely clinical records and ensure services comply with Pennsylvania DDAP regulations, including applicable Chapters 704 and 709, ASAM Criteria, agency policies, HIPAA, and 42 CFR Part 2.

This is an essential, on-site position at Camino de Salud 3.5 LOC in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Employees must report during scheduled shifts, including holidays, and may be expected to work during public health crises, pandemics, and severe weather unless management directs otherwise. Counselors may also be asked to cover other Union Community Care Drug & Alcohol facilities when needed.

The position requires participation in mandatory all-staff and team meetings, trainings, clinical supervision, case reviews, and agency-sponsored professional development activities. Counselors must maintain applicable professional licenses, certifications, and credentials and perform other work-related duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Meet at least one of the qualification pathways specified under PA Code 704.7: a master's degree or above in chemical dependency, psychology, social work, counseling, or a related field that includes a practicum in a drug and alcohol setting; or a bachelor's degree in one of these fields and one year (minimum 1,820 hours) of clinical experience in a drug and alcohol setting; or an associate degree in a specified related field and two years (minimum 3,640 hours) of clinical experience in a health or human service agency, preferably in a drug and alcohol setting; or current Pennsylvania registered nurse licensure, a degree from an accredited school of nursing, and one year (minimum 1,820 hours) of counseling experience in a health or human service agency, preferably in a drug and alcohol setting; or full addiction counselor certification from a qualifying statewide or state-government certification body.
• PA Child Abuse Clearance, PA Criminal Background clearance, FBI clearances, and CPR/First Aid.
• Knowledge of and experience using ASAM Criteria, 3rd Edition.
• Strong computer skills and filing and recordkeeping skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Excellent customer relations skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively with diverse groups of individuals.
• Good organizational skills.
• Comply with applicable Pennsylvania DDAP regulations, including Chapters 704 and 709, ASAM Criteria, agency policies, HIPAA, and 42 CFR Part 2.
• Report on-site during scheduled shifts, including holidays, and provide coverage at other Union Community Care Drug & Alcohol facilities as needed.

Nice To Haves

• Bilingual Spanish/English.
• Clinical experience in a drug and alcohol setting for the associate-degree or registered-nurse qualification pathways is preferably in that setting.

Responsibilities

• Maintain a daily caseload of approximately 5–8 clients in a residential setting or no more than 35 clients in an outpatient setting, fostering therapeutic relationships and providing ongoing clinical support.
• Obtain prior authorizations from client funding sources to ensure timely access to approved treatment services.
• Provide individual counseling using evidence-based practices, including relapse prevention, recovery planning, motivational interviewing, cognitive-behavioral interventions, and harm reduction education when clinically appropriate.
• Plan, facilitate, and document psychoeducational and therapeutic group counseling sessions, promoting client participation and addressing substance use disorders, relapse prevention, coping strategies, recovery management, life skills, emotional regulation, and wellness.
• Provide family counseling and education when clinically indicated and with appropriate client consent, supporting communication and recovery goals and educating families about addiction, treatment, relapse prevention, and recovery resources.
• Maintain accurate, timely, and comprehensive clinical records, including assessments, treatment plans, progress notes, discharge summaries, aftercare plans, and other required documentation.
• Coordinate care with healthcare providers, community agencies, referral sources, probation and parole officers, and other treatment professionals as appropriate.
• Advocate for client needs and facilitate continuity of care throughout treatment and recovery support services.
• Assess and appropriately respond to client crises, including relapse episodes, behavioral health emergencies, and safety-related concerns.
• Participate in staff meetings, clinical supervision, case reviews, training programs, and agency-sponsored professional development activities.
• Adhere to ethical standards and professional practices applicable to counseling and substance use disorder treatment.
• Safeguard client confidentiality and protected health information in accordance with HIPAA and 42 CFR Part 2.
• Maintain applicable professional licenses, certifications, and credentials.
• Perform other work-related duties as assigned.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Education Level: Associate degree