Drug and Alcohol Counselor

UCSF•San Francisco, CA

4d•$72,467 - $90,522

About The Position

The Opiate Treatment Outpatient Program (OTOP) and its Mobile Methadone Van Program provide methadone maintenance dosing and counseling alongside medical and psychiatric services for patients with opioid use disorder. The program serves low-income, uninsured or underinsured San Francisco residents, many of whom experience co-occurring substance use and psychiatric disorders, significant health challenges, and barriers to care. The population includes people of all ages and backgrounds, with priority social-work support for HIV-positive patients and those with severe and persistent mental health issues. Under the direct supervision of the Clinical Supervisor, the incumbent provides psychosocial and social-work services to OTOP patients experiencing instability or vulnerability, including needs related to housing, finances, legal matters, medical-care coordination, transportation, food, and clothing. The role supports successful treatment, retention, and connection to community resources through culturally appropriate services, mental health screening, brief interventions, and collaboration with multidisciplinary clinic and community teams. Work may take place in OTOP stabilization or maintenance services, or offsite on the mobile methadone van.

Requirements

A BA/BS degree and one year of related experience, or five years of related experience providing prevocational, job-development, substance-use counseling, or employment-counseling services.
Knowledge of Harm Reduction theory.
Strong interpersonal skills and experience providing culturally competent care to populations diverse in gender, sexual orientation, and ethnicity.
Knowledge of health and psychosocial problems associated with opioid dependence and other substance use disorders, and of effective treatments for these disorders.
Ability to work cooperatively and communicate effectively with others.
Ability to work under pressure in a high-stress, high-volume clinical environment and meet deadlines.
Ability to follow oral and written instructions accurately and maintain attention to detail.
Ability to prepare clinical notes and written summaries efficiently, set priorities, and complete notes and reports within required timeframes.
Knowledge of medical and psychiatric terminology.
Good oral, written, and telephone communication skills.
Excellent attendance and reliability, and professional conduct in a multidisciplinary clinical environment.
California state registration as RADT or SUDRC. Candidates registered on or after July 1, 2025, must have completed the required 80 hours of approved core competency education.
Certification as an Alcohol/Drug Counselor, or registration as an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist, Associate Social Worker, Associate Professional Clinical Counselor, or Psychological Associate.

Nice To Haves

One year of work experience in human services.
Motivational Interviewing training or experience.
Experience working with severely mentally ill adults, people experiencing homelessness, and dual-diagnosis populations.
Experience working with populations diverse in gender, sexual orientation, and ethnicity.
Graduate coursework in psychology, counseling, social work, addiction studies, or public health leading to certification or licensure.
Case-management experience and one year of work experience in human services.
Experience with community outreach, peer educator programs, and volunteer supervision.
One or more years of experience working in opiate treatment programs.
Prior UCSF experience.

Responsibilities

Provide substance use intake and assessments using standardized interview protocols.
Orient patients to the clinic and explain policies; develop care plans.
Provide substance use counseling individually, in groups, and with families as indicated.
Analyze clinical data, plan and implement interventions, and evaluate patient responses and progress toward goals.
Base practice on research findings; maintain quality of care and provide culturally competent services.
Protect clients’ dignity and rights and follow hospital and departmental policies, health and safety rules, infection-control practices, and resource-utilization standards.
Coordinate and link patients to services and make referrals.
Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, participate in case conferences, and receive clinical supervision.
Document clinical work according to policies and Title 22, Title 9, and federal requirements.
Participate in a unit-based committee and support day-to-day clinic operations, including chart documentation, colleague coverage, required meetings, and training.
Contribute to the professional development of self and others, communicate effectively through available mediums, and provide leadership.
Provide services in OTOP stabilization or maintenance settings and, as needed, offsite on the mobile methadone van.