Northstar OTP Substance Use Disorder Professional (SUDP) - Vancouver WA

The Cowlitz Indian Tribe; Vancouver; On-site; USD 69,000 - 84,000; Full time

Job summary

The Cowlitz Indian Tribe is seeking a Substance Use Disorder Professional (SUDP) to provide compassionate counseling and support within their Opioid Treatment Program. This full-time position involves working collaboratively with a dedicated care team to empower patients on their recovery journeys. The ideal candidate will have relevant certifications and a bachelor’s degree in psychology or related fields, along with experience in substance use disorder treatment.

Qualifications

• Must be certified by a Washington-recognized drug-and-alcohol certifying body.
• Three years of work experience in counseling or case management.
• Training in counseling or addiction treatment required.

Responsibilities

• Provides treatment in individual and group settings for patients with substance use disorder.
• Coordinates with medical staff for patient care and treatment plans.
• Maintains confidentiality and adheres to HIPAA requirements.

Skills

Motivational Interviewing

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Patient Education

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Psychology

Social Work

Counseling

Job description

Career Opportunities with The Cowlitz Indian Tribe

A great place to work.

Careers at The Cowlitz Indian Tribe

Current job opportunities are posted here as they become available.

POSITION TITLE: Substance Use Disorder Professional (SUDP)
DEPARTMENT: Health and Human Services (HHS) – Opioid Treatment Program (OTP)
LOCATION: Vancouver, WA
FLSA STATUS: Exempt, fulltime
SALARY RANGE: $69,472.00 - $83,408.00

Open until filled, review Date: July 25, 2025

***If you are an American Indian/Alaska Native and/or a Veteran and would like this to be considered preference in hiring, please upload documentation with your resume and cover letter. Acceptable documentation includes Tribal Enrollment card, a letter from your Tribe stating your enrollment, or BIA 4432 and/or DD214.***

Position Summary:

Provides compassionate, evidence-based counseling and support to individuals navigating recovery from substance use disorders. Works as part of a collaborative care team to support patients' recovery journeys without judgment or coercion and – grounded in motivational interviewing and harm reduction - emphasizes empowerment, respect, and optimism. Adheres to HIPAA and confidentiality requirements. Honors and represents the mission, vision, values of CIT and of the HHS department.

This list of duties and responsibilities is illustrative only of the tasks performed by this position and is not all-inclusive.

• Provides treatment in individual and group settings for individuals and families of individuals with substance use disorder.
• Provides treatment according to the Cowlitz OTP model.
• Answers telephone calls requesting information about addiction or treatment; assists in scheduling treatment appointments or helps with appropriate referral.
• Disseminates substance use disorder information to the community as authorized by the Clinic Director.
• Prepares, maintains, and files charts.
• Assumes a rotation on the on-call schedule.
• Adheres to personnel policies and clinical protocols.
• Utilizes a compassionate and goal-oriented approach and employs therapeutic techniques that help patients improve their ability to manage their emotions, enhance their communication skills, and develop more effective coping skills.
• Utilizes literature, workshops, and other training aids to continually improve clinical and administrative skills.
• Evaluates patient needs and determines course of treatment (including additional referrals to other programs or facilities as needed); conducts follow-up assessments and engages patients in developing their own individualized treatment plan.
• Collaborates with clinical and medical staff and patients in developing treatment goals and provision of necessary services based upon medical necessity.
• Communicates with medical staff regarding a patient’s condition including status of referrals, receipt of treatment documentation, and patient response to care provided by medical team.
• Ensures all documentation regarding patient care, treatment, and incidents is clear, concise, and completed in a timely manner.
• Communicates with administrative staff regarding patient insurance, Medicaid, and third-party payor.
• Participates in individual and group supervision.
• Facilitates group and individual counseling sessions.
• Reviews urine drug screen results with clients.
• Tailors clinical interventions based on urine drug screen results.
• Plans for aftercare and support to patients in effort to maintain a substance-free lifestyle.
• Treats all patients with dignity, courtesy, and respect, recognizing their right to have requests, needs, and complaints responded to in a professional and timely manner.
• Maintains strict patient, employee, company, and computer confidentiality.
• Adheres to all organizational precautions and procedures in the performance of all duties to ensure a safe work environment for self and others.
• Maintains credentials as required by certifying/licensing body.
• Promotes an environment that encourages staff growth and development by developing and supporting ongoing educational programs.
• Maintains professional and technical knowledge by conducting research, attending seminars, educational workshops, classes and conferences; reviewing professional publications; establishing networks; participating in professional societies; conferring with representatives of contracting agencies and related organizations.
• Contributes to a team effort and accomplishes related results as required.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of traditional form of government and tribal customs and traditions.
• Knowledge and skills necessary to assist in providing care appropriate to the needs of patients served.
• Knowledge and understanding of clinical counseling principles, substance and chemical abuse, programs and methodology.
• Knowledge of medications and their biological effects, and the desired effect on treatment of opioid use disorder.
• Knowledge and familiarity with the mandatory reporting requirements under the Indian Child Protection Act, with regards to suspected incidence of child abuse or child neglect.
• Knowledge of related accreditation and certification requirements.
• Knowledge of evidence-based treatments for substance use disorders, treatment plans, crisis interventions, individual and group therapy, case management, patient education, and 12-step principles.
• Knowledge or ability to learn Cowlitz OTP’s model of outpatient chemical dependency treatment.
• Knowledge of intensive case management, mental health concepts, cognitive behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, recovery, and mindfulness concepts.
• Skill in treating patients with tact, courtesy, and respect, and as if the patient is the only person in the room.
• Skill in Motivational Interviewing, Cognitive Behavior Therapy, and other evidence-based practices, including medications for addiction treatment.
• Skill in preparing and maintaining patient records.
• Skill in staying organized and maintaining attention to detail.
• Ability to apply evidence-based counseling methods and techniques.
• Ability to evaluate the progress of therapeutic programs and to make individual modifications.
• Ability to see, treat and be sympathetic towards substance use disorder patients.
• Ability to plan, implement, and evaluate individual patient care programs.
• Ability to build rapport quickly and effectively with clients and their families.
• Ability to maintain quality, safety, and/or infection control standards.
• Ability to work both independently and in a team environment.
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to establish and maintain professional relationships with individuals of varying social and cultural backgrounds and with co-workers at all levels.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Ability to conduct all professional activity in an ethical manner.
• Ability to analyze and evaluate situations and adopt effective courses of action.
• Ability to observe, assess, and record symptoms, reactions, and progress.
• Ability to follow Cowlitz OTP personnel policies.
• Ability to maintain passion for assisting patients under all circumstances.
• Ability to give and receive constructive feedback, to share opinions, and uphold beliefs.
• Ability to maintain calm, focused, professional, and kind in highly stressful situations.
• Ability to be reliable, flexible, and versatile.
• Ability to maintain humility.

Minimum Qualifications:

• High school diploma or equivalent; Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, Marriage and Family Therapy, Social Work, Counseling, or related field preferred.
• Must be certified (or registered) by a Washington-recognized drug-and-alcohol certifying body (including ‘trainee’ categories) and/or certified as an Alcohol and Drug Counselor, or Associate Social Worker, or Associate Marriage and Family Therapist (working toward licensure).
• Training in counseling or addiction treatment.
• Three years' work experience in counseling, case management or social work.
• A combination of relevant education and related work experience may be considered.
• Must be able to provide health and TB clearance.
• Valid driver’s license is required when driving vehicles for work-related purposes.
• Must be able to successfully pass a background screening / investigation according to the established requirements below.

Tribal preference in accordance with Cowlitz Indian Tribe Code and CIT Employee Policies and Procedures Handbook shall apply to all positions. All positions are required to adhere to CIT’s established safety policies regarding vaccine requirements and personal protective equipment (PPE).

• Reference checks, education and employment verification.
• Federal, state, and/or tribal criminal history and sanction checks.
• Has not been found guilty of, charged with, received a deferred sentence, received a conditional discharge of, or entered a plea of not contest to, or entered a plea of guilty to any one felony or misdemeanor crimes of violence, sexual assault, molestation, exploitation or sexual contact; prostitution; or crimes committed against person(s) or children.

Physical Demands:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly is required to stand; walk; sit; stop, kneel, bend, or crouch; use hands to manipulate, touch, or grasp objects and materials and type on a keyboard; reach with hands and arms; and perform repetitive tasks. Sufficient clarity of speech and hearing abilities to discern verbal instructions and communicate effectively in person and via telephone. The employee occasionally is required to lift up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

Work is performed in an office and clinical setting. Employee may be exposed to unpleasant odors, bodily fluids, and infectious disease and frequent exposure to dust, fumes, airborne particles and/or allergens. Situations occur where PPE (personal protective equipment) is needed. Work may involve working with hostile, violent or offensive individuals. Overnight travel, weekend, and/or evening work is occasionally required. Tight time constraints and multiple demands are common.