SUD Counselor

Summary:  

The Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Counselor plays a vital role in supporting clients experiencing challenges related to substance use. Utilizing evidence-based practices, this counselor conducts focused assessments, develops treatment plans, provides case management services, provides appropriate referrals for mental health treatment, and facilitates individual and group counseling sessions focused on developing SUD recovery skills. The SUD Counselor collaborates with clients, their families, mental health therapists, outside agencies and providers, and interdisciplinary teams to promote recovery, resilience, and overall well-being. 

Duties and Responsibilities: 

• Conduct focused assessments to identify substance use issues and facilitate appropriate referral for co-occurring mental health conditions when indicated.

• Function as the primary SUD case manager for each client assigned.

• Develop and implement individualized treatment plans tailored to each client's SUD recovery needs and goals. 

• Facilitate individual and group sessions focused on SUD recovery and coping strategies using provided evidence-based curriculum. 

• Provide psychoeducation regarding substance use disorders, treatment modalities, and relapse prevention techniques. 

• Monitor client progress and adapt treatment plans as necessary to ensure effectiveness. 

• Collaborate with other case managers, healthcare providers, mental health therapists, and community resources to coordinate care for clients. 

• Collaborate with the integrated care team in the collection and packaging of urine drug screens (UDS). 

• Document all client interactions, treatment plans, case management notes, and progress notes following agency and regulatory guidelines. 

• Participate in ongoing training and education to remain informed of best practices in the field of addiction treatment. 

• Ensure compliance with confidentiality standards including HIPAA, 42 CFR regulations, and agency policies. 

Supervision Given:  

This position does not supervise any staff. 

Supervision Received:  

The SUD Counselor reports to the Regional Director of Operations. The Regional Clinical Supervisor provides clinical supervision. 

Qualifications: 

• Must be licensed to practice in the state you are providing services in. 

• NPI and Medicaid Provider Number preferred and required to start work. 

Education: 

• A minimum of an associate’s degree in chemical dependency, addiction, or substance use counseling is required.

• A bachelor’s degree in chemical dependency, addiction, substance use counseling or related field (e.g. human services, social work, or psychology) with a concentration or minor in chemical dependency is preferred. 

Certification: 

• Active licensed alcohol and drug counselor (LADC) certification in New Hampshire (NH), preferred.

• If not currently licensed as a LADC, combination of relevant experience and education, including required CEUs for LADC eligibility, is highly preferred.

• Current or previous Certified Recovery Support Worker (CRSW) certification and Recovery Coach training preferred.

• Must hold and maintain all licenses, certifications, registrations, and other qualifications required to provide assigned services in each state or jurisdiction where services are delivered. 

• All required credentials will be verified through primary source verification prior to service delivery and monitored throughout employment. 

• NPI and Medicaid enrollment, when required for the role or payer participation, must be obtained and maintained in good standing.

Experience: 

• Experience utilizing ASAM criteria to determine appropriate level of care within a continuum of care is required.

• Working knowledge of evidence-based practices in substance use disorder treatment and recovery is required.

• Experience in case management and delivery of individual and group substance use disorder counseling is highly preferred. 

Physical Effort:

Primarily requires sitting during sessions with some movement for activities or group settings. 

Background: 

All applicants must submit to and pass a background check prior to hire. 

Schedule: 

Flexible scheduling options to accommodate both client needs and staff availability. Some evening hours are required.

Benefits: 

Full-time positions are eligible for Medical Benefits, Dental Benefits, Vision Benefits, Voluntary Benefits, Paid Time Off, and Paid Holidays.

Work Location: 

Services provided in the office, community, and via telehealth.

Screening, Credentialing, and Fitness for Duty

Employment in this position is contingent upon successful completion of all required pre-employment screening, verification, and approval processes in accordance with agency policy, applicable law, payer requirements, and accreditation standards.

This includes, as applicable to the position:

• Criminal background checks, including federal, state, and local checks as required 

• Driving record review for positions that require transportation of clients or use of a personal or company vehicle for work duties 

• Verification of all applicable credentials, including licensure, certification, registration, and education 

• Verification of credentials through primary source verification 

• Verification in each state, province, or other jurisdiction in which the employee will provide services 

• Review of sanctions, exclusions, or other findings that may affect employability or ability to bill for services 

• Fitness-for-duty review, when required for the position or when job duties reasonably require such review  

All required background checks, credential verification, and fitness-for-duty requirements must be completed prior to hire or prior to the delivery of services, as applicable. Required verifications must also be maintained throughout employment, including at hire, upon renewal of any required credential, when job duties change, when the employee begins working in another jurisdiction, and whenever otherwise required by policy, law, contract, or regulation.

If information is received that raises concern related to background checks, credentials, driving eligibility, sanctions, exclusions, or fitness for duty, the organization may take action consistent with policy and law, including delaying start date, restricting duties, removing the employee from service delivery, requiring supervision or corrective action, reassignment, suspension, or separation from employment.

Employees are responsible for maintaining all required credentials in good standing and for immediately notifying the organization of any lapse, restriction, investigation, suspension, revocation, exclusion, or other material change affecting their eligibility to perform job duties.