Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Counselor (SUDCC-II, II) or (CADC-II, III) or (CATC-II, III)

Wellpath•Merced, CA

5d•Onsite

About The Position

The Substance Use Disorder Counselor evaluates, treats, and supports individuals in their recovery from substance use disorders. This role works as part of an interdisciplinary team to help support positive clinical outcomes and prepare individuals for discharge. The position promotes continuity of care by collaborating with care teams and supporting ongoing treatment needs. The counselor provides substance use disorder services to justice-involved individuals in alignment with Medi-Cal and CalAIM program requirements. The role is especially focused on CalAIM-related care coordination, reentry planning, and helping patients successfully connect to services after release. Much of the work centers on group facilitation, behavior change, relapse prevention, and supporting patients with co-occurring substance use and mental health needs. This position plays a direct role in improving continuity of care and long-term outcomes for justice-involved individuals.

Requirements

High School diploma and certification required.
Experience providing SUD counseling required.
Certification/Licensure in one of the following is required: Substance Use Disorder Certified Counselor — SUDCC-II or SUDCC-III, Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor — CADC-II or CADC-III, Certified Addiction Treatment Counselor — CATC-II or CATC-III.
Ability to practice independently preferred.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in health services field is preferred.
Experience working with justice-involved populations, Medi-Cal/CalAIM programs, reentry services, MAT programs, co-occurring disorders, community referrals, and multidisciplinary care teams.
Strong group facilitation skills, clear documentation habits, and comfort coordinating with outside providers are highly valuable in this role.

Responsibilities

Conduct SUD screenings, assessments, and provide individual and group counseling while developing person-centered treatment plans.
Focus on engagement, stabilization, relapse prevention, and readiness for continued treatment.
Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams and contribute clinical input to discharge planning and continuity of care.
Coordinate with external providers and agencies to support ongoing treatment and post-release services.
Maintain compliant clinical documentation, provide crisis intervention, and ensure confidentiality requirements are met.
Conduct assessments and intakes, develop individualized treatment plans, facilitate group counseling sessions, and provide individual support to patients at varying stages of recovery.
Document services in the medical record, track patient progress, support medical necessity and compliance standards, and collaborate with internal clinical teams, discharge planners, community providers, and local resources.
Prepare patients for successful reentry by identifying barriers, coordinating referrals, supporting warm handoffs, and building realistic plans for continued SUD treatment, MAT services, behavioral health care, housing, benefits, and other community-based supports.