Substance Abuse Counselor

Pinnacle Treatment Brand • Mount Pocono, PA

8d

About The Position

As a Counselor at Pinnacle Treatment Centers, you will support patients through recovery from substance use disorders. The organization combines compassionate care with innovative, evidence-based treatment and emphasizes the holistic well-being of patients and individualized care for teammates. Counselors complete clinical documentation, orient patients to program expectations, assess and place patients in treatment phases, provide counseling and referrals, facilitate group sessions, and participate in case reviews, supervision, and team training.

Requirements

• Counselor I: Associate’s degree and CAAC (Certified Associate Addiction Counselor).
• Counselors in training who are not CADC must be enrolled in courses leading to CADC certification, complete in-service training, and become credentialed within three years of hire; progress is reviewed semiannually.
• Counselor I may qualify with a master’s degree or above in chemical dependency, psychology, social work, counseling, nursing with a clinical specialty in human services, or another related field, including a practicum in a health or human service agency. If the practicum was not in a drug and alcohol setting, a written training plan must address achieving counseling competency in chemical dependency issues.
• Counselor I may qualify with a bachelor’s degree in a related field and one year of clinical experience, or an associate degree in a related field and one year of clinical experience.
• Counselor II: Bachelor’s degree or higher and CADC.
• Counselor II may qualify with a master’s degree or above in a related field and a qualifying practicum, or a bachelor’s degree in a related field and one year of clinical experience.
• Counselor III minimum qualifications for consideration: master’s degree, CAADC, and one of the listed credentials: LCSW, LPC, or LSW.
• Counselor III requires a master’s degree or above in a related field and a practicum in a health or human service agency. If the practicum was not in a drug and alcohol setting, a written training plan must address achieving counseling competency in chemical dependency issues.

Nice To Haves

• Practicum experience in a drug and alcohol treatment setting is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Complete patient databases, treatment plans, progress notes, discharge summaries, and other documentation in accordance with federal and state standards and agency policies and procedures.
• Orient patients to program objectives, phase-system requirements, rules and regulations, sanctions, service hours, patient rights, and other information needed to adjust to the program.
• Ensure patients are assessed and placed according to treatment phases and applicable standards and agency policies.
• Keep clinical documentation and patient charts up to date in accordance with established policies and procedures.
• Counsel patients in crisis by identifying resources and coping abilities to help them manage and resolve crises.
• Counsel patients who do not comply with program requirements to increase their awareness of the consequences of noncompliance.
• Arrange referrals to community agencies and resources when appropriate.
• Perform treatment plan reviews.
• Participate in case conferences and case reviews in accordance with established policies and procedures.
• Develop and maintain knowledge of federal, state, and agency regulations regarding confidentiality, methadone treatment, and substance abuse counseling certification.
• Submit internal and external correspondence to a supervisor for review and approval.
• Complete intakes and facilitate group counseling sessions.
• Collect and test urine or swab drug screens while following proper chain-of-custody procedures.
• Obtain necessary documentation from patients, when appropriate, to ensure compliance with established policies and procedures.
• Submit monthly and quarterly statistical reports to a supervisor.
• Attend scheduled supervision sessions.
• Attend team meetings and complete required training courses on time.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Competitive compensation based on experience, education, and licensure.
• Counselor Tier Program with defined career advancement opportunities.
• Monthly performance-based bonuses.
• Eligibility at 90% of facilities for the federal Student Loan Repayment Program, which selects applicants for student loan forgiveness.
• Free access to more than 600 continuing education courses.
• 18 days of paid time off and 8 paid holidays.
• Diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.
• Free clinical supervision based on licensure and availability.

What This Job Offers

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