ACT Substance Use Behavioral Health Counselor

VNS Health; New York (NY); On-site; USD 100,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player in health care is seeking a dedicated professional to provide behavioral health services and coordinate treatment plans for clients with substance use disorders. This role involves working collaboratively with a multidisciplinary team to deliver effective treatment and advocacy. The ideal candidate will have experience in mental health and substance abuse, along with strong assessment and motivational interviewing skills. Join a compassionate organization that values innovation and community service, offering generous paid time off, health insurance, and professional growth opportunities.

Benefits

Referral bonus opportunities

Generous paid time off (PTO), starting at 30 days

Health insurance for you and your loved ones

Employer-matched retirement savings

Wellness programs and tuition reimbursement

Qualifications

• Minimum one year in mental health/substance abuse treatment.
• Skills in assessment, harm reduction, and motivational interviewing.

Responsibilities

• Provide clinical supervision and manage program functions.
• Conduct psychosocial evaluations and develop service plans.
• Coordinate outreach services and community referrals.

Skills

Assessment Skills

Harm Reduction

Motivational Interviewing

Bilingual (English and Spanish)

Education

High School Diploma

Bachelor's Degree

Tools

Electronic Health Record Systems

Job description

Overview

Provides behavioral health services to people with substance use disorder in collaboration with a multidisciplinary team. Responsible for creating and coordinating the treatment plan for clients with substance use disorder diagnoses. Acts as a member of the treatment team to deliver substance use treatment services for clients being treated for both mental health and substance use diagnoses.

• Assists with the development of social work and/or psychosocial assessments of patients/families, emphasizing substance use issues.
• Assists in developing treatment plans and goals based on diagnostic assessments and long-term objectives, including follow-up procedures.
• Provides ongoing substance use services and/or collaborates with and refers to appropriate agencies.
• Conducts individual and group counseling sessions using evidence-based practices.
• Provides advocacy and assistance in obtaining entitlements and community services to patients/families and caregivers.
• Completes accurate and timely documentation in the electronic health record system.
• Provides continuous evaluation of persons involved in treatment.
• Assists staff, patients, families, and caregivers to understand substance use issues, entitlements, and community resources.
• Maintains communication according to department policy and treatment goals.
• Identifies and refers social determinants of health concerns.
• Maintains productivity to meet department goals.
• Identifies opportunities to improve service delivery processes.
• Performs established workflow procedures.
• Acts as a liaison with community agencies.
• Participates in related department activities, e.g., utilization review, staff meetings, education programs.

For Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) only: Provides home visits as specified by program needs and client requirements.

For Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) only: Conducts intake interviews, biopsychosocial assessments, screenings, collects specimens for toxicology tests, prepares monthly updates, develops discharge/transfer plans, and participates in special projects.

What We Provide

• Referral bonus opportunities
• Generous paid time off (PTO), starting at 30 days, plus 9 holidays
• Health insurance for you and your loved ones, including Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Disability
• Employer-matched retirement savings
• Wellness programs, pre-tax FSAs, tuition reimbursement, professional growth opportunities, internal mobility, CEU credits

What You Will Do

• Provide clinical supervision to team members and manage program functions in the absence of the Program Manager.
• Organize program components, including triage, case management, staff scheduling, referrals, outreach, evaluations, and liaison activities.
• Participate in quality assurance and ensure compliance with requirements.
• Screen referrals and perform psychosocial evaluations.
• Develop and implement short-term service plans.
• Provide crisis intervention and supportive counseling, and maintain case records.
• Encourage service-resistant clients to accept mental health services.
• Participate in team meetings, rounds, and case conferences.
• Coordinate and follow up on service linkages and referrals.
• Liaise and consult with community agencies.
• Provide outreach services and serve as a resource for community referrals.
• Participate in training, community programs, and policy development.
• Assist in team functioning and take on coordinator responsibilities when needed.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Licenses and Certifications: Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor (CASAC), valid driver’s license.

Education: High School Diploma or equivalent required; Bachelor's Degree preferred.

Work Experience: Minimum one year in mental health/substance abuse treatment, with skills in assessment, harm reduction, motivational interviewing, and computer literacy. Bilingual in English and Spanish preferred.

Compensation

$28.09 - $35.08 hourly

About Us

VNS Health is a leading nonprofit home and community-based health care organization, serving communities for over 130 years. We deliver compassionate care, expertise, and resources to over 43,000 individuals through a range of health services, emphasizing innovation and data-driven solutions in New York and beyond.