CADC

Ascension Recovery Services•Iowa City, IA

19d•$58,000 - $75,000•Onsite

About The Position

Thrive Now Recovery Center is seeking a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC/IADC) to join their clinical team in Iowa City. This role is for a counselor passionate about substance use disorder treatment, who values person-centered and trauma-informed care, and aims to help individuals build a strong foundation for long-term recovery. The counselor will provide individual and group counseling, contribute to individualized treatment planning, facilitate recovery-focused programming, and collaborate with clinical, medical, nursing, peer support, and case management professionals. The work directly supports individuals in developing skills, insight, resources, and support systems for recovery. Thrive Now Recovery Center provides structured, recovery-focused treatment for individuals with substance use disorders and co-occurring behavioral health needs, emphasizing person-centered care, evidence-based treatment, multiple pathways to recovery, trauma-informed practices, strong therapeutic relationships, interdisciplinary teamwork, respect, dignity, accountability, and hope.

Requirements

Current CADC or IADC credential recognized in Iowa, or ability to meet the credentialing requirements established for the position.
Knowledge of substance use disorders, recovery principles, relapse prevention, and evidence-based counseling approaches.
Strong verbal and written communication skills.
Strong clinical documentation and organizational skills.
Ability to maintain patient confidentiality and appropriate professional boundaries.
Ability to work effectively as part of an interdisciplinary behavioral health treatment team.
Ability to complete all required pre-employment screenings, orientation, training, and competency requirements.

Nice To Haves

A bachelor’s degree in behavioral health, social services, psychology, counseling, human services, addiction studies, or a related field is preferred.
Master’s degree in counseling, social work, psychology, behavioral health, addiction studies, or a related field.
Previous experience in residential substance use disorder treatment.
Experience providing individual and group counseling.
Experience working with individuals with co-occurring mental health conditions.
Familiarity with ASAM criteria and levels of care.
Experience with evidence-based approaches such as: Motivational Interviewing (MI), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), DBT-informed skills, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Relapse-prevention strategies, Trauma-informed care.
Experience working within an electronic medical record.
Familiarity with Joint Commission or similar behavioral healthcare accreditation standards.

Responsibilities

Conduct individual and group substance use disorder counseling sessions.
Complete assigned clinical assessments, screenings, and other components of the admission and treatment process.
Develop, implement, review, and update individualized treatment plans in collaboration with patients and the interdisciplinary treatment team.
Facilitate evidence-based, recovery-oriented, and psychoeducational groups.
Provide education related to substance use disorders, relapse prevention, coping skills, emotional regulation, relationships, recovery planning, and other identified treatment needs.
Monitor patient progress toward established treatment goals and modify interventions based on clinical needs.
Identify barriers affecting treatment engagement, motivation, recovery, and successful transition to the next level of care.
Participate in interdisciplinary treatment team meetings.
Communicate relevant patient progress, risks, barriers, and treatment needs to appropriate members of the treatment team.
Collaborate with case management, peer support, nursing, medical providers, behavioral health technicians, and other treatment professionals.
Assist with discharge and continuing-care planning to support safe and successful transitions from residential treatment.
Maintain accurate, complete, timely, and clinically appropriate documentation in the electronic medical record.
Complete documentation in accordance with organizational policies, payer requirements, applicable Iowa requirements, and accreditation standards.
Protect patient confidentiality and comply with applicable privacy and confidentiality requirements, including HIPAA and 42 CFR Part 2.
Maintain appropriate professional and therapeutic boundaries with patients.
Follow organizational policies, ethical standards, and requirements applicable to the employee’s professional credential.
Recognize and appropriately escalate concerns involving patient safety, relapse risk, significant behavioral changes, suicidal ideation, or other clinical concerns.
Utilize appropriate de-escalation, therapeutic communication, and trauma-informed approaches.
Seek clinical consultation or supervisory support when patient needs exceed the scope of the counselor’s role or credential.
Participate in clinical supervision, consultation, training, quality-improvement activities, and required competency assessments.
Maintain required credentials, continuing education, and professional standards.
Perform other duties within scope as assigned to support patient care and clinical operations.