Substance Abuse Counselor

GATEWAY CSB PEO LLC•Reidsville, GA

18d

About The Position

The Substance Abuse Counselor I/II provides substance use disorder assessment, counseling, treatment planning, education, case management, and recovery support services to people receiving behavioral health and substance use treatment. The role helps consumers identify treatment needs, pursue recovery goals, access community resources, and develop support systems. Services include individual, group, and family counseling, delivered in compliance with applicable licensing, certification, privacy, and documentation requirements. The position operates in outpatient clinics, treatment facilities, community settings, and professional office environments. It may require occasional travel between Gateway locations and community service sites. The employee may be required to remain at or return to work during agency incidents or emergencies and may work non-traditional schedules as needed to support agency operations. Gateway CSB requires pre-employment drug testing and promotes a drug- and alcohol-free work environment.

Requirements

Current addiction counselor certification or credential, or eligibility for certification in accordance with state and program requirements.
At least two years of experience providing substance use disorder treatment services.
Experience in crisis intervention, intensive case management, counseling, treatment planning, and recovery support services.
Knowledge of substance use disorders, recovery principles, relapse prevention strategies, and evidence-based treatment approaches.
Knowledge of serious mental illness, co-occurring disorders, behavioral interventions, and treatment modalities.
Knowledge of consumer rights and applicable agency, state, and federal regulations.
Knowledge of community resources, healthcare systems, housing and educational services, social service programs, documentation requirements, service planning, and case management principles.
Knowledge of crisis intervention techniques, risk assessment practices, individual, group, and family counseling techniques, family dynamics, and recovery support systems.
Ability to observe, document, and report consumer functioning and progress; understand assessments, evaluations, and treatment recommendations; and develop and implement treatment plans and recovery goals.
Ability to identify community resources, coordinate services, and establish effective working relationships with staff and external organizations.
Ability to interact effectively with consumers and families from diverse backgrounds and communicate effectively verbally and in writing.
Ability to maintain confidentiality and professional boundaries, work independently under general supervision, and demonstrate interpersonal, counseling, and active listening skills.
Ability to prioritize and manage multiple responsibilities and facilitate relationships with healthcare providers, housing agencies, employers, legal guardians, and other support systems.
Maintain applicable certifications, licenses, continuing education, competency validations, and mandatory annual or recurrent training throughout employment.
Comply with required training, including new employee orientation, and maintain current, active licensure and certification without suspension or revocation.
Meet scheduled work expectations and comply with agency rules, policies, safety requirements, professional appearance standards, and conduct and ethics policies.

Nice To Haves

Experience working with individuals experiencing substance use disorders and co-occurring behavioral health conditions.
Valid Georgia driver's license.

Responsibilities

Assess consumers’ substance use histories, treatment needs, and current functioning as part of comprehensive assessments and ongoing treatment.
Coordinate individualized treatment planning, discharge planning, aftercare, and recovery support services.
Engage and motivate consumers to work toward treatment and recovery goals.
Provide individual, group, and family substance use counseling.
Help consumers participate in self-help and peer support groups and develop and maintain social support networks.
Assess consumers for inpatient, residential, detoxification, or other appropriate levels of care.
Coordinate referrals and access to substance use treatment services, ensuring referrals go to appropriately licensed or certified providers.
Collaborate with inpatient, residential, outpatient, and community treatment providers to support continuity of care.
Educate consumers about substance use disorders, recovery principles, relapse prevention, and treatment resources.
Train staff on signs, symptoms, and early identification of alcohol and substance use disorders.
Provide crisis intervention and on-call support as assigned.
Maintain client confidentiality and comply with HIPAA and applicable privacy requirements.
Complete required documentation accurately and within established timelines, and maintain clinical records.
Meet agency productivity standards and performance expectations.
Participate in interdisciplinary treatment team meetings and service planning.
Provide case management and care coordination services.
Support consumer recovery, wellness, and community integration.
Maintain current knowledge of substance use treatment best practices and regulatory requirements.
Perform related duties as assigned.