Drug and Alcohol Counselor

University of California, San Francisco•San Francisco, CA

About The Position

The Drug and Alcohol Counselor works in the Opiate Treatment Outpatient Program (OTOP) and its Mobile Methadone Van Program, which provide methadone maintenance dosing and counseling alongside medical and psychiatric services. OTOP serves low-income, uninsured or underinsured San Francisco residents with opioid use disorder, including people with co-occurring substance use, psychiatric, and significant health needs. The population is culturally diverse and includes people of all ages, races, ethnicities, sexual orientations, gender identities, religions or spiritualties, socioeconomic classes, partner statuses, and physical and mental disabilities. Many clients face housing, financial, legal, medical-care, transportation, food, and clothing needs, and are at especially high risk for HIV. Under the direct supervision of the Clinical Supervisor, the incumbent provides culturally appropriate social work services and interventions to OTOP patients, prioritizing HIV-positive clients and patients with severe and persistent mental health issues. The role supports successful treatment, retention in treatment, and connection to community resources. Services include mental health screening, brief interventions, substance use counseling, care coordination, and consultation with multidisciplinary clinic and community teams. The incumbent may work in stabilization, maintenance, or offsite on the mobile methadone van.

Requirements

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.
Knowledge of effective treatments for opioid dependence and other substance use disorders.
Ability to work cooperatively and communicate effectively with others.
Ability to work in a high-stress, high-volume clinical environment, under pressure, and with deadlines.
Ability to follow oral and written instructions accurately and be detail-oriented.
Ability to prepare clinical notes and written activity 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.
Demonstrated excellent attendance and reliability.
Demonstrated professional behavior in a multidisciplinary clinical environment.
California state registration (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 intakes and assessments using standardized interview protocols.
Orient patients to the clinic, explain policies, and develop care plans.
Provide substance use counseling in individual, group, and family modalities as indicated.
Participate in analyzing clinical data, planning and implementing interventions, and evaluating patient responses and progress toward goals.
Use research findings to inform practice and maintain quality of care.
Provide culturally competent services and protect clients’ dignity and rights.
Follow hospital and departmental policies and health, safety, infection-control, and resource-utilization standards.
Coordinate and link patients to services and make referrals.
Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and participate in case conferences and clinical supervision.
Document clinical work according to applicable policies, Title 22, Title 9, and federal requirements.
Participate in a unit-based committee and support day-to-day clinic operations, including chart documentation, coverage for other Social Work Associate colleagues, and required staff meetings and training.
Contribute to the professional development of self and others, communicate effectively through available mediums, and provide leadership.