Substance Use Counselor III (LPC or LSW)

Gateway Foundation•Gurnee, IL

10h•Onsite

About The Position

Alpharus Health is a national nonprofit behavioral health provider offering substance use and mental health treatment. The Substance Use Counselor III provides comprehensive counseling and treatment services to clients, including those with co-occurring disorders. The role maintains a patient caseload, coordinates with insurance providers, supports clinical documentation and regulatory compliance, and contributes to the development and improvement of treatment programs and protocols. The counselor may also provide supervision and professional guidance to treatment team members. The position is based at 222 S Greenleaf St, Suite 106, Gurnee, Illinois. The schedule is Monday through Thursday, 12:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., and Friday during day-shift hours. The annual compensation range is $51,463–$82,000, with starting rates based on experience, qualifications, and relevant skills.

Requirements

Master’s degree in psychology, social work, mental health counseling, substance use disorder counseling, or a related field.
At least 2 years of counseling experience in the substance use disorder or mental health field.
Current, valid LPC or LSW credential.
Comprehensive knowledge of group and individual dynamics, conflict resolution, and intervention techniques.
Knowledge of federal and state rules and regulations governing health-record confidentiality.
Time and project management skills.
Advanced communication skills for interacting with the treatment team, clients, client families, outside vendors, and agencies.
Active listening skills and social perceptiveness.
Critical thinking, persuasion, and negotiation skills.
Ability to adapt and shift priorities.
Basic coaching and mentoring skills.
Ability to walk and move around the facilities for up to two hours at a time to monitor and interact with clients.
Ability to exert up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and negligible force frequently or constantly to move objects.
Ability to record, proofread, and check documents and files for accuracy.
Ability to use a keyboard and video display terminal to receive, retrieve, or audit information and data.
Ability to respond to telephones and hear and detect alarms and unusual noises.

Responsibilities

Conduct comprehensive assessments and develop and implement complex treatment plans for clients with co-occurring disorders.
Maintain a patient caseload, including conducting assessments and preparing individualized treatment plans.
Contact insurance providers regularly to report client progress and obtain required certifications for continued stays.
Report caseload activities and progress to a supervisor.
Prepare and conduct group counseling or therapeutic sessions addressing social or psychological issues and supporting effective life skills and a healthy, drug-free lifestyle.
Prepare and conduct individual counseling sessions to help patients overcome dependencies, adjust to life, and make life changes.
Develop and implement complex treatment and discharge plans and conduct intensive or comprehensive interventions, including family or domestic violence counseling.
Design, implement, and integrate intensive service programs addressing specific social or psychological problems affecting part of the patient population.
Serve on department or site committees involved in planning and evaluating treatment programs and client services.
Contribute to the improvement of treatment protocols, procedures, and outcomes.
Document treatment plans, progress notes, interventions, treatments, evaluations, discharge summaries, and treatment plan reviews.
Maintain patient records and charts in accordance with organizational, regulatory, accreditation, and contractual standards.
Audit patient records and provide assessments for clients with special needs to support clinical compliance and service delivery.
Consult with clinical staff to resolve complex case problems using appropriate procedures, modalities, and techniques.
Develop and conduct in-service and continuing education programs related to the assigned specialty for counselors or technicians.
Provide supervision to the treatment team as needed.

Benefits

Medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees and dependents.
Employee wellness program promoting health and fitness and offering cash-saving premiums.
Employee assistance programs focused on mental health.
403(b) retirement plan with a 3% employer match.
Short-term and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, and AD&D insurance paid for by Alpharus Health.
Flexible Spending Accounts for medical and dependent care.
Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF).
18 paid time off days per year, with accrual rates increasing with years of service.
9 paid company holidays.
Training and development programs.
Tuition reimbursement up to $5,250 per calendar year.
Access to online courses providing CEUs and job-related training.
Formal and informal clinical supervision.