SUD COUNSELOR (CERTIFIED) - PIR/PIRM

NHA•San Diego, CA

22h

About The Position

The Certified Substance Use Counselor provides services to incarcerated individuals age 18 and older who have substance use or mental health challenges, including co-occurring disorders, as they prepare for release from detention facilities. Services include Targeted Case Management (TCM), individual and group sessions, and coordination of community-based resources to support reentry and continuity of care. The counselor provides services consistent with applicable CalAIM Behavioral Health Linkage fee-for-service requirements, meets productivity standards, and completes accurate, timely documentation. The role uses culturally responsive, trauma-informed, recovery-oriented, and person-centered practices with people from diverse backgrounds, and follows through on referrals and service linkages. The counselor assesses client needs, provides crisis intervention, develops service plans, supports job readiness, and coordinates access to treatment and community resources such as housing and employment. The position works with multidisciplinary teams, law enforcement, and community partners, monitors client progress, supports program safety, and may provide or arrange transportation to appointments and community services. Duties also include maintaining client charts and service records, conducting outreach and community engagement, and performing related work as assigned.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED equivalent.
Current and active Substance Use Disorder Counselor certification through a California DHCS-recognized certifying organization, such as CADTP, CCAPP, or CAADE.
Completion of the education, supervised experience, and examination requirements established by the applicable certifying organization.
Knowledge of substance use disorders, co-occurring mental health conditions, evidence-based treatment approaches, relapse prevention, motivational interviewing, and recovery-oriented services.
Experience providing substance use disorder counseling, assessments, treatment planning, case management, and referrals to appropriate levels of care.
Ability to maintain certification and complete required continuing education throughout employment.
Valid California driver’s license and acceptable driving record; current and valid California automobile insurance.
Ability to transport clients in personal vehicles.
Obtain CPR/First Aid certification within six months of hire.
Complete a TB test upon hire and maintain testing every four years.
Ability to conduct clinical assessments and develop appropriate case management and treatment plans.
Ability to facilitate individual and group counseling, psycho-educational and reentry-focused groups, and provide crisis intervention.
Knowledge of case management principles, recovery-oriented care, trauma-informed engagement, documentation standards, chart maintenance, data tracking, and accurate record keeping.
Ability to collaborate with multidisciplinary partners, including corrections, probation/parole, courts, community agencies, law enforcement, and reentry stakeholders.
Ability to maintain confidentiality and professional boundaries; exercise sound judgment; communicate effectively; prioritize and organize work; interpret regulations; and operate standard office, database, spreadsheet, and documentation software.
Ability to analyze complex service needs, identify solutions, and implement action plans in office- and field-based settings.
Ability and willingness to work effectively and respectfully with diverse populations, including people experiencing homelessness, co-occurring disorders, severe mental illness, and justice involvement.

Nice To Haves

Associate or bachelor’s degree in social work, psychology, behavioral health, human services, or a related field.
Experience providing services to individuals with co-occurring substance use and mental health disorders.
Bilingual English/Spanish communication skills; bilingual candidates must pass a competency test before their hire date.
Sheriff’s background clearance.

Responsibilities

Provide Targeted Case Management in accordance with applicable medical necessity, documentation, service authorization, billing, and fee-for-service requirements.
Conduct crisis intervention, identify client needs, and coordinate referrals and linkages to mental health and substance use treatment, housing, employment, and other community-based supports.
Complete job readiness activities, including employment applications, community resource linkages, and mock interviews.
Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and consult with management to coordinate services, address barriers, and support client progress and continuity of care.
Complete treatment and service plans, progress notes, and other required documentation; maintain accurate and timely client charts, service records, logs, and related records.
Meet established productivity expectations and service delivery, documentation, and reporting standards while maintaining quality of care and compliance with program requirements.
Provide transportation or schedule Medi-Cal transportation to appointments and community service linkages; conduct outreach and community engagement as needed.
Provide culturally responsive and linguistically appropriate services, when applicable, and apply cultural humility, trauma-informed practices, and person-centered approaches.
Maintain program safety, positive working relationships with law enforcement and community partner agencies, and monitor client progress.
Work respectfully and effectively with underserved and marginalized populations, including people with sex offender registration requirements, transgender and gender-diverse individuals, and people living with severe mental illness or co-occurring substance use disorders.
Perform other duties as assigned.