Substance Abuse Counselor – Full-Time, Day Shift

UHS • Washington, DC

26d

About The Position

The Psychiatric Institute of Washington is seeking a compassionate and experienced Substance Abuse Counselor to support individuals with substance use and behavioral health needs. The role provides assessment, therapeutic intervention, group facilitation, patient education, and collaboration with an interdisciplinary treatment team. The counselor builds therapeutic relationships and helps patients develop skills and support for recovery.

The position includes completing substance use assessments and clinical documentation; facilitating therapeutic and educational programming; providing interventions aligned with treatment and recovery goals; participating in treatment planning and interdisciplinary collaboration; and monitoring and documenting patient progress. The counselor also supports admission and patient-care processes, communicates concerns about patient behavior, condition, or safety, protects confidentiality, maintains professional boundaries, and collaborates with families and community resources to support continuity of care.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• CPR/BLS Certification through the American Heart Association (AHA).
• Certified Addictions Counselor (CAC) Level I or Level II.
• Three or more years of experience working in mental or behavioral healthcare as an addictions counselor.
• Experience facilitating clinical and/or substance use disorder groups and providing therapeutic interventions.
• Experience with treatment planning, clinical documentation, and direct patient services.
• Compassionate communication, sound clinical judgment, strong professional boundaries, and a collaborative approach to patient care.
• Ability to remain composed in challenging situations, engage patients in treatment, and work effectively with an interdisciplinary behavioral health team.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor’s degree in human services, behavioral health, psychology, social work, counseling, or a related field.
• Knowledge of community-based substance use and recovery support resources.
• Experience with hospital admission procedures and orienting patients to treatment programs.
• Experience using an electronic medical record system.
• Familiarity with Microsoft Office, Zoom, CRISP, or similar healthcare and productivity platforms.

Responsibilities

• Complete substance use assessments and maintain accurate, timely clinical documentation.
• Facilitate therapeutic groups, educational sessions, and other assigned programming.
• Provide therapeutic interventions that support patients’ treatment and recovery goals.
• Build professional, goal-directed therapeutic relationships with patients.
• Participate in treatment planning, staff reports, and interdisciplinary team collaboration.
• Conduct and document family and outside-agency meetings as appropriate.
• Monitor and document patient progress throughout treatment and at discharge.
• Observe changes in patient behavior, condition, or safety and promptly communicate concerns to the appropriate clinical team member.
• Support admission, assessment, and patient-care processes in accordance with established treatment plans and clinical standards.
• Protect patient confidentiality and maintain professional boundaries.
• Collaborate with patients, families, clinical staff, and community resources to support continuity of care.

Benefits

• Generous Paid Time Off.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• Medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug plans.
• Additional insurance coverage, such as life insurance, disability insurance, and pet insurance.
• Pre-tax Metro SmartTrip benefits.
• 401(K) with company match and discounted stock plan.
• Tuition reimbursement and student loan repayment program.
• SoFi Student Loan Refinancing Program.
• Career development opportunities within UHS and its 300+ subsidiaries.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: High school or GED