Certified Alcohol & Drug Counselor (CADC)

UCAN (Chicago); Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 52,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical

Dental

Vision

Voluntary Life Insurance

Voluntary Short-Term Disability

Voluntary Critical Illness Insurance

Voluntary Accident Coverage

Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)

Health Savings Accounts (HSA)

Retirement Plan (401k) Match

Tuition Reimbursement

Job summary

UCAN in Chicago seeks a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC) to provide assessment, treatment planning, counseling, and care coordination for youth, adults, and families affected by substance use disorders. You will document in the electronic health record, coordinate care with a multidisciplinary team, and support crisis intervention when needed.

Minimum CADC credential and 2 years of related experience are preferred; valid driver's license may be required depending on service model.

Qualifications

• CADC credential required.
• Bachelor's degree in counseling, social work, psychology, human services, or related field preferred.
• High School Diploma.
• Minimum of 2 years of substance use counseling or related clinical support experience preferred.
• Experience with youth, families, justice-involved populations, or community-based settings preferred.

Responsibilities

• Conduct substance use screenings and biopsychosocial assessments.
• Develop individualized treatment plans with measurable goals.
• Provide individual, group, and family counseling.
• Facilitate psychoeducational groups on relapse prevention and recovery.
• Maintain accurate documentation in the electronic health record.
• Coordinate care with internal and external providers.
• Support crisis response and safety planning as needed.
• Monitor engagement and progress to support retention.
• Participate in case consultations and quality improvement activities.
• Ensure confidentiality and compliance with standards.

Skills

Substance use counseling

Trauma-informed care

Empathy and communication

Clinical judgment

Team collaboration

Education

CADC credential

Bachelor's degree in counseling

High School Diploma

Job description

Brief Description

Position Title: Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC)

Department: Behavioral Health Services / Substance Use Services

Reports to: Director of Behavioral Health / Clinical Supervisor

Why This Role Matters

The CADC plays a key role in helping clients reduce substance use related barriers, strengthen recovery supports, and improve overall functioning. This position helps ensure services are clinically sound, mission aligned, and responsive to the needs of individuals and families navigating complex behavioral health challenges.

Position Objective And Summary

The Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC) provides substance use assessment, treatment planning, counseling, relapse prevention, psychoeducation, and care coordination for youth, adults, and families impacted by substance use disorders and co-occurring behavioral health needs. This position supports recovery-oriented, trauma-informed, and culturally responsive services while ensuring timely, accurate, and audit-defensible documentation in accordance with payer, regulatory, and organizational standards.

Essential Functions And Responsibilities

• Conduct substance use screenings, biopsychosocial assessments, and ongoing reassessments in accordance with program and regulatory requirements.
• Develop individualized treatment plans with measurable goals, interventions, and discharge criteria based on client need, readiness, and level of care.
• Provide individual, group, and family counseling related to substance use, relapse prevention, recovery support, coping skills, and behavior change.
• Facilitate psychoeducational groups focused on substance use, triggers, decision making, healthy relationships, harm reduction, and wellness.
• Maintain timely and accurate progress notes, treatment plans, assessments, discharge summaries, and all related clinical documentation in the designated electronic health record.
• Coordinate care with internal and external providers, including therapists, case managers, medical staff, schools, probation, child welfare, and community partners, as appropriate.
• Support crisis response, safety planning, and linkage to higher or lower levels of care when clinically indicated.
• Monitor client engagement, attendance, treatment progress, and barriers to participation, and intervene proactively to support retention and completion.
• Participate in case consultation, supervision, staff meetings, utilization review, and quality improvement activities.
• Ensure confidentiality and uphold all professional, ethical, licensing, and organizational standards.

Education/Job Experience/Certifications

• Current and active CADC credential required.
• Bachelor's degree in counseling, social work, psychology, human services, or related field preferred.
• High School Diploma
• Minimum of 2 years of experience providing substance use counseling, behavioral health services, or related clinical support preferred.
• Experience working with youth, families, justice-involved populations, or community-based behavioral health settings strongly preferred.
• Experience with co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders preferred.
• Valid driver's license and reliable transportation may be required based on service model.

Special Knowledge And Qualifications

• Strong knowledge of substance use disorders, stages of change, relapse prevention, motivational interviewing, and trauma-informed care.
• Ability to engage clients with empathy, professionalism, and sound clinical judgment.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to manage documentation deadlines, maintain confidentiality, and work effectively in a fast paced environment.
• Ability to collaborate across multidisciplinary teams and build strong working relationships with families and partners.
• Working knowledge of Medicaid, managed care, and documentation standards is preferred.

Core Competencies

• Clinical Judgment
• Engagement and Relationship Building
• Documentation and Compliance
• Accountability
• Cultural Responsiveness
• Collaboration
• Organization and Time Management

Working Conditions: Work may be performed in office, school, community, residential, or home-based settings, depending on program need. May require evening hours, occasional weekend coverage, local travel, and participation in crisis related support.

Summary

At UCAN, we prioritize the health and well-being of our team, as it is essential to our mission of serving the community. Our competitive benefits package is designed to help you and your family thrive. Below, you'll find a comprehensive list of the benefits we offer.

Benefits You Can Choose From

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Voluntary Life Insurance
• Voluntary Short-Term Disability
• Voluntary Critical Illness Insurance
• Voluntary Accident Coverage
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
• Health Savings Accounts (HSA)
• Retirement Plan (401k) Match
• Tuition Reimbursement

Benefits Provided At No Cost To You

• Group Life and AD&D Insurance
• Group Long-Term Disability
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

UCAN is an equal opportunity employer and strongly encourages candidates with lived experience and diverse backgrounds to apply.