SAIOP Facilitator – Substance Use Counselor

Kaizen Lab Inc.; Nags Head (NC); On-site; USD 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Paid time off

Paid holidays

Retirement plan

Job summary

Pathways to Life, Inc. seeks a compassionate SAIOP Facilitator to deliver group and individual substance use treatment at our Nags Head office. You will develop curricula, perform assessments, coordinate with families and community resources, and ensure timely documentation.

The role is full-time and in-person, Monday–Friday, with a focus on recovery, accountability, and client-centered planning. A Behavioral Health degree and NC credential are preferred.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in social work, psychology, counseling, human services, or another related behavioral health field.
• Current or eligible North Carolina substance use credential, including LCAS, LCAS-A, CADC/CDAC, and/or CCS.
• Knowledge of substance use disorders, the recovery process, treatment modalities, and evidence-based practices.
• Experience facilitating therapeutic or psychoeducational groups.
• Ability to complete timely, accurate, and confidential clinical documentation.
• Understanding of the ethical, legal, and confidentiality requirements associated with substance use treatment.
• Strong verbal, written, interpersonal, and organizational skills.
• Ability to establish appropriate rapport while maintaining professional and therapeutic boundaries.

Responsibilities

• Facilitate structured SAIOP group sessions addressing substance use, recovery, relapse prevention, coping skills, healthy decision-making, and other relevant treatment topics.
• Develop engaging lesson plans, educational materials, and therapeutic activities for group and individual sessions.
• Conduct initial assessments to identify members’ substance use histories, treatment needs, strengths, barriers, and recovery goals.
• Collaborate with members and the treatment team to develop individualized Person-Centered Plans and Crisis Plans.
• Review and update Person-Centered Plans according to agency, payer, and regulatory requirements.
• Provide individual counseling to address members’ specific recovery needs, challenges, and treatment goals.
• Help members address barriers to treatment, including transportation, childcare, healthcare, housing, and other basic needs.
• Monitor member attendance, participation, progress, and continued engagement in services.
• Follow up with members who are absent, disengaged, or at risk of becoming noncompliant with treatment.
• Provide crisis intervention and coordinate higher levels of care or community resources when necessary.
• Complete accurate group notes, individual service notes, treatment plans, assessments, reports, and other required documentation within agency timelines.
• Complete required NCTOPPS interviews by the second billable visit and maintain subsequent interviews according to applicable requirements.
• Maintain current consents for treatment coordination with probation officers, shelters, family members, providers, and other involved parties.
• Coordinate services with medical professionals, therapists, social workers, community providers, and other members of the treatment team.
• Connect members with additional treatment, recovery, housing, medical, and community resources when needed.
• Participate in member discharge planning and support appropriate transitions from SAIOP services.
• Participate in regular clinical supervision, team meetings, training, and professional-development activities.
• Maintain awareness of current research, best practices, and evidence-based approaches to substance use treatment.

Skills

Compassionate

Group leadership

Rapport building

Documentation

Crisis intervention

Team collaboration

Organizational skills

Recovery-focused

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in social work, psychology, counseling, human services, or related behavioral health field

Tools

Electronic Health Records (EHR)

NCTOPPS familiarity

CPR/NCI-B certifications

Job description

SAIOP Facilitator – Substance Use Treatment

Pathways to Life, Inc.
Location: 2808 S. Croatan Highway, Suite D, Nags Head, NC 27959
Schedule: Full-time, in person, Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m., with flexibility based on program and member needs

Position Overview

Pathways to Life, Inc. is seeking a compassionate and engaging Substance Abuse Intensive Outpatient Program (SAIOP) Facilitator to join our Nags Head team.

The SAIOP Facilitator provides group and individual substance use treatment services to members working toward recovery. This position facilitates structured SAIOP groups, develops treatment activities and lesson plans, provides individual counseling, completes clinical documentation, assists members in overcoming barriers to treatment, and coordinates care with families, providers, and community resources.

The ideal candidate understands substance use disorders and evidence-based treatment practices and can create a structured, respectful, and nonjudgmental environment in which members feel supported and accountable.

Primary Responsibilities

• Facilitate structured SAIOP group sessions addressing substance use, recovery, relapse prevention, coping skills, healthy decision-making, and other relevant treatment topics.
• Develop engaging lesson plans, educational materials, and therapeutic activities for group and individual sessions.
• Conduct initial assessments to identify members’ substance use histories, treatment needs, strengths, barriers, and recovery goals.
• Collaborate with members and the treatment team to develop individualized Person-Centered Plans and Crisis Plans.
• Review and update Person-Centered Plans according to agency, payer, and regulatory requirements.
• Provide individual counseling to address members’ specific recovery needs, challenges, and treatment goals.
• Help members address barriers to treatment, including transportation, childcare, healthcare, housing, and other basic needs.
• Monitor member attendance, participation, progress, and continued engagement in services.
• Follow up with members who are absent, disengaged, or at risk of becoming noncompliant with treatment.
• Provide crisis intervention and coordinate higher levels of care or community resources when necessary.
• Complete accurate group notes, individual service notes, treatment plans, assessments, reports, and other required documentation within agency timelines.
• Complete required NCTOPPS interviews by the second billable visit and maintain subsequent interviews according to applicable requirements.
• Maintain current consents for treatment coordination with probation officers, shelters, family members, providers, and other involved parties.
• Coordinate services with medical professionals, therapists, social workers, community providers, and other members of the treatment team.
• Connect members with additional treatment, recovery, housing, medical, and community resources when needed.
• Participate in member discharge planning and support appropriate transitions from SAIOP services.
• Participate in regular clinical supervision, team meetings, training, and professional-development activities.
• Maintain awareness of current research, best practices, and evidence-based approaches to substance use treatment.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in social work, psychology, counseling, human services, or another related behavioral health field.
• Current or eligible North Carolina substance use credential, including LCAS, LCAS-A, CADC/CDAC, and/or CCS.
• Knowledge of substance use disorders, the recovery process, treatment modalities, and evidence-based practices.
• Experience facilitating therapeutic or psychoeducational groups.
• Ability to complete timely, accurate, and confidential clinical documentation.
• Understanding of the ethical, legal, and confidentiality requirements associated with substance use treatment.
• Strong verbal, written, interpersonal, and organizational skills.
• Ability to establish appropriate rapport while maintaining professional and therapeutic boundaries.

Preferred Experience

• Previous experience providing substance use treatment in an intensive outpatient, outpatient, residential, or community-based setting.
• Experience developing and facilitating structured group curricula.
• Familiarity with Person-Centered Plans, Crisis Plans, NCTOPPS, and electronic health records.
• Experience coordinating care with probation, healthcare providers, families, shelters, and community agencies.
• Crisis-intervention experience.

Skills and Abilities

The ideal candidate will be:

• Compassionate, patient, and nonjudgmental.
• Confident leading groups and managing different personalities and levels of participation.
• Able to build rapport while maintaining clear professional boundaries.
• Dependable and consistent with attendance, preparation, documentation, and follow-up.
• Comfortable responding calmly and appropriately during emotionally charged or crisis situations.
• Able to work both independently and as part of a multidisciplinary treatment team.
• Organized and capable of managing multiple members, deadlines, and documentation requirements.
• Committed to helping members develop practical skills that support long-term recovery.

Additional Requirements

• Successfully complete and maintain required CPR and NCI-B certifications.
• Maintain all credentials and required continuing education throughout employment.
• Be able to regularly walk, stand, or stoop.
• Be able to occasionally lift, carry, push, or pull up to 25 pounds.
• Possess a valid driver’s license and be able to drive as required for assigned responsibilities.
• Work in person at the Pathways to Life Nags Head office.
• Maintain schedule flexibility to accommodate program operations and member needs, which may occasionally include evening or weekend hours.

Benefits

• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• Paid time off
• Paid holidays
• Retirement plan

About Pathways to Life, Inc.

Pathways to Life, Inc. provides community-based behavioral health services designed to support individuals and families in achieving stability, independence, and meaningful recovery. Our team is committed to providing high-quality, person-centered care through respectful collaboration, clinical accountability, and connection to meaningful community resources.

Pathways to Life, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law.