Substance Use Counselor

Gateway Foundation•Garden City, GA

3d•Onsite

About The Position

Alpharus Health is hiring a Substance Use Counselor at Coastal State Probation in Garden City, Georgia. The counselor provides substance use disorder services in a correctional facility, including assessment, individualized treatment planning, counseling, case management, crisis support, and documentation. The role supports clients’ recovery and transition to pro-social living through evidence-based, person-centered care and coordination with referral resources. The schedule is Monday through Thursday, working 10-hour shifts. Available shift options are 6:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m., 6:45 a.m.–5:15 p.m., or 7:00 a.m.–5:30 p.m. The counselor may carry a caseload of up to 25 clients, subject to state and contract requirements. Compensation begins at $20.50–$21.50 per hour for non-credentialed counselors and $25.00–$27.00 per hour for credentialed counselors. Starting rates depend on experience, qualifications, and relevant skills. Sign-on bonuses are offered: $1,500 for non-credentialed counselors and $3,000 for certified or licensed counselors. Annual performance reviews are conducted, with merit increase eligibility based on employee performance and organizational financial performance.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree or higher in a helping profession from an accredited college or university.
Obtain a certification identified by the state within 30 months of the first date counseling services are provided. Acceptable certifications include GACA Certified Addiction Counselor, NAADAC Certified Addiction Counselor, ICRC Certified Drug and Alcohol Counselor, or Certified Clinical Supervisor (CCS).
Must be able to obtain Georgia Department of Corrections clearance to work in the correctional institution.
Ability to walk and move about the facility 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 negligible force frequently or constantly to move objects.
Ability to use a keyboard and video display terminal to receive, retrieve, or audit information and data.
Ability to record, proofread, and check documents and files for accuracy.
Ability to respond to telephones and hear and detect alarms and unusual noises.

Nice To Haves

Previous counseling experience.
Experience in substance use disorder or mental health treatment.
Acceptable licensure includes Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Licensed Associate Professional Counselor (LAPC), Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), or Certified Professional Counselor Supervisor (CPCS).

Responsibilities

Conduct client interviews and assessments to review substance use disorder and treatment history.
Evaluate client responses to treatment and recommend treatment-plan modifications; assist with caseloads and individualized plans, goals, interventions, and support.
Assist with and provide didactic group counseling, including psychoeducation, drug education, and family education.
Provide individual counseling, educational programs, and lectures on topics such as relapse prevention, problem solving, behavior modification, and anger management.
Support clients in overcoming substance use disorder, adjusting to pro-social life, and making cognitive and behavioral changes.
Carry a caseload of up to 25 clients, in accordance with state and contract requirements.
Collaborate with clients on discharge summaries, continuing-care plans, and relapse-prevention plans for supervisor approval, integrating aftercare with referral resources.
Coordinate required services to address emergencies and crisis situations in support of continued recovery.
Collect and maintain treatment records and reports to meet organizational, regulatory, accreditation, and contractual requirements.
Perform office administrative duties, including answering telephones, relaying messages, responding to inquiries about services and policies, filing, photocopying, faxing, planning events, and assembling intake packets.

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, and life 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 that provide CEUs and job-related training.
Formal and informal clinical supervision.
$1,500 sign-on bonus for non-credentialed counselors or $3,000 sign-on bonus for certified/licensed counselors.