Substance Abuse Specialist

Step Up • Los Angeles, CA

17h • $26 - $29

About The Position

The Substance Abuse Specialist/Service Coordinator I provides rehabilitation, linkage, and case management support as a member of Department of Mental Health (DMH) teams. Clients are housed in permanent supportive housing or are awaiting housing and receiving outreach while homeless. They have histories of chronic homelessness and mental health diagnoses, often alongside medical or substance-use disorders. The program uses a modified ACT model to support permanent placement, housing stability, life skills, positive mental health behaviors, recovery, and wellness. Step Up follows a trauma-informed model of rehabilitation, wellness, and recovery.

The role conducts substance-use assessment and counseling, supports clients in addressing immediate needs and goals, connects them with community and treatment resources, and coordinates care with team members. Approximately 60% of direct-care time is spent providing in-person, face-to-face services. The position also requires timely DMH documentation, meeting billing quotas, participating in team meetings and supervision, and maintaining relevant counselor skills and certifications. The position is non-exempt, works 40 hours per week, and is part of the SEIU721 bargaining unit.

Work with people experiencing homelessness may involve exposure to infestations, unpleasant odors, poor hygiene, mental health symptoms, poverty, profanity, sexually explicit or derogatory language, and expressions of anger or trauma. Direct-care staff receive de-escalation training, and the organization has procedural safeguards to mitigate workplace risks.

Requirements

• CADC or a related substance-use certification, with training in co-occurring substance disorders and a variety of treatment modalities.
• Bachelor of Arts in psychology, social work, or a related field, or three years of related work experience with co-occurring substance-use disorders among transition-age youth or adults with a mental health diagnosis.
• Case management experience.
• Own transportation, a current California driver's license, a clean driving record, and proof of car insurance.
• Ability to chart patient progress to meet documentation requirements.
• Knowledge of or experience with DSM-5 diagnoses, assessment of level of functioning, and DMH documentation.
• Knowledge of evidence-based practices such as motivational interviewing, DBT, harm reduction, cognitive behavioral therapies, trauma-informed care, and Housing First.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively on a team.
• Initiative and a solution-focused approach.
• Good time-management skills and ability to balance caseload, direct services, and paperwork.

Responsibilities

• Conduct or facilitate and evaluate initial assessments of co-occurring substance-use needs, including functioning, recovery or treatment readiness, support networks, living arrangements, finances, physical health, self-care, and medication and treatment history and compliance; recommend program enrollment.
• Evaluate immediate needs, including crisis intervention, inpatient detox, medical attention, showers, clothing, food, and emergency shelter, and maintain relationships with local organizations to support access to resources.
• Coordinate with the Program Manager and Service Coordinator II staff to monitor and address changes in functioning, behavior, symptoms, support networks, living arrangements, financial status, physical health, and self-care.
• Help clients identify needs and work toward goals and concrete objectives in their Coordinated Care Plans.
• Coordinate access to psychiatric and medical care, appointments, housing, benefits, community rehabilitation and socialization activities, and drug and alcohol services; provide transportation and accompany clients using personal or public transportation when needed.
• Provide in-person, face-to-face services for approximately 60% of direct-care time.
• Outreach to and engage new members within required program timeframes.
• Link members to outside resources, including AA, NA, methadone maintenance, and residential treatment.
• Coordinate with teams and staff to assess readiness for transitions to higher or lower levels of care or managed-care providers, and collaborate with the treatment team to support transitions.
• Conduct active outreach to caseload clients who have not been in contact and support their engagement in services.
• Complete DMH chart paperwork and maintain documentation in the Welligent Electronic Health Record in accordance with Medi-Cal standards and agency timeframes; ensure services are authorized and required signatures and dates are complete.
• Meet weekly, monthly, and quarterly billing quotas set by the Program Manager.
• Conduct individual and group substance-use counseling and provide routine case management.
• Document counseling sessions, substance-use services, and other services in compliance with agency policies, contracts, and regulatory requirements.
• Attend staff meetings and supervision, and maintain counselor skills and certifications through training as requested.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Opportunities for growth and professional development.
• Paid time off, including 13 paid holidays, 10 days of EPTO, and 12 sick days.
• Competitive salary and benefits package.
• Health, dental, vision, Aflac, and $25,000 life insurance coverage.
• 403(b) retirement plan available on the first day of work; after 1,000 hours worked, Step Up matches 3% of the 6% contributed by the employee.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level