Substance Use Counselor

Alpharus Health • Ocala, FL

33d • $49,296 - $67,917 • Onsite

About The Position

Alpharus Health is a national nonprofit behavioral health provider that delivers substance use and mental health treatment. The Substance Use Counselor works at Marion Correctional Institution in Ocala, Florida, providing counseling and treatment support to clients with substance use disorders. The role involves assessing clients, supporting individualized treatment plans, providing individual and group education and counseling, and coordinating discharge and crisis services under supervision. The counselor maintains treatment documentation and works to support recovery and compliance with organizational, regulatory, accreditation, and contractual requirements.

Requirements

• Minimum bachelor's degree in a helping profession from an accredited college or university.
• Ability to obtain Florida Department of Corrections clearance to work in the correctional institution.
• Basic knowledge of human growth and psychosocial development.
• Basic knowledge of group and individual dynamics, conflict resolution, and intervention techniques based on client maturation level.
• Basic understanding of mental health disorders requiring referrals.
• Basic communication skills for exchanging information and interacting with internal and external audiences regarding client care.
• Active listening skills and social perceptiveness.
• Ability to read and interpret policies and instructions.
• Ability to understand medication side effects and their impact on clients.
• Adaptability and flexibility, including the ability to shift priorities.
• Ability to walk and move about 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/or a negligible amount frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects.
• Ability to record, proofread, and check documents and files; prepare and analyze data and figures; transcribe; and read.
• Ability to use a keyboard and video display terminal to receive, retrieve, and/or audit information and data.
• Ability to respond to telephones and hear and detect alarms and unusual noises.

Nice To Haves

• Previous experience in substance use treatment or counseling and/or mental health counseling is preferred.
• Current Certified Addictions Professional (CAP), Masters Certified Addictions Counselor (MCAP), Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC), Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), or Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) credential is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Conduct client interviews to review substance use disorder and treatment history.
• Evaluate client responses to treatment and recommend treatment-plan modifications; assist with caseloads and develop individualized treatment plans, goals, interventions, and support.
• Assist with and provide basic didactic group counseling, including psychoeducation, drug education, and family education.
• Provide individual counseling, educational programs, and lectures addressing relapse prevention, problem solving, behavior modification, anger management, recovery, adjustment to pro-social life, and cognitive and behavioral change.
• Carry a caseload under direct supervision and with supervisor approval, in accordance with state and contract requirements.
• Collaborate with clients to develop discharge summaries and plans for supervisor approval, integrating aftercare treatment with referral resources.
• Coordinate required services to address emergency problems in crisis situations and support continued recovery.
• Collect and maintain treatment records and reports to ensure organizational, regulatory, accreditation, and contractual compliance.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

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 3% employer match.
• Short-term and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, and AD&D insurance paid for by Alpharus.
• 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.
• eLearning access to online courses providing CEUs and job-related training.
• Formal and informal clinical supervision.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time