Substance Abuse Counselor

The WAVE International; Lake City (FL); On-site; USD 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay

Growth opportunities

Structured, compliant clinical env.

Training and mentorship

Career advancement with multi-stateorg

Job summary

The Wave International is expanding its North Florida operations and seeks a Substance Abuse Counselor in Lake City, FL. You will deliver direct clinical services, including therapy, group facilitation, treatment planning, and accurate documentation in our EMR (ALLEVA).

The ideal candidate has SUD treatment experience, is comfortable with fast-paced workflows, and supports ASAM-aligned programming within a compliant, patient-centered team.

Qualifications

• Minimum of one year experience in Substance Use Disorder treatment.
• Experience with individual and group counseling in a residential or outpatient setting.
• Strong documentation skills and ability to learn technology quickly.
• Knowledge of ASAM, treatment planning, evidence-based SUD modalities, and crisis response.
• Must be comfortable with digital workflows, EMR systems, and rapid onboarding.

Responsibilities

• Facilitate individual and group therapy for SUD and co-occurring disorders
• Complete biopsychosocial assessments, treatment plans, and progress notes within required timeframes
• Maintain accurate and timely documentation in our EMR (ALLEVA)
• Collaborate with medical, admissions, nursing, and operations teams
• Participate in treatment team meetings, case consultations, and discharge planning
• Provide crisis intervention and support when needed
• Uphold state regulatory standards, client confidentiality, and professional ethics
• Support quality clinical programming aligned with ASAM criteria

Skills

SUD treatment experience

Documentation skills

Fast-paced environment adaptability

Digital workflows proficiency

ASAM knowledge

Crisis intervention skills

Education

Master's degree preferred

Florida credentialing/licensure preferred

Tools

ALLEVA EMR

Job description

Job Title: Substance Abuse Counselor

Location: The Wave of North Florida – Lake City, FL

Employment Type: Full-Time

About Us

The Wave of North Florida is a licensed Substance Use Disorder treatment facility delivering evidence-based services across residential, PHP, and IOP levels of care. We are part of The Wave International network, known for strong clinical programming, compliance standards, and client-centered support. We are rapidly growing and seeking an experienced Substance Abuse Counselor who can integrate quickly into our fast-paced, technology-driven environment.

Position Overview

We are urgently hiring a Substance Abuse Counselor to provide direct clinical services including therapy, group facilitation, treatment planning, documentation, and interdisciplinary collaboration. The ideal candidate has hands-on SUD treatment experience and can immediately contribute to client care without extensive onboarding.

Key Responsibilities

• Facilitate individual and group therapy for SUD and co-occurring disorders
• Complete biopsychosocial assessments, treatment plans, and progress notes within required timeframes
• Maintain accurate and timely documentation in our EMR (ALLEVA)
• Collaborate with medical, admissions, nursing, and operations teams
• Participate in treatment team meetings, case consultations, and discharge planning
• Provide crisis intervention and support when needed
• Uphold state regulatory standards, client confidentiality, and professional ethics
• Support quality clinical programming aligned with ASAM criteria

Required Qualifications

• Minimum of one (1) year experience in Substance Use Disorder treatment
• Experience with individual and group counseling in a residential or outpatient setting
• Strong documentation skills and ability to learn technology quickly
• Knowledge of ASAM, treatment planning, evidence-based SUD modalities, and crisis response
• Must be comfortable with digital workflows, EMR systems, and rapid onboarding

Preferred Licensure/Certification (Florida)

Candidates may hold one of the following (or be actively in the process):

• CAP, MCAP, CAC, CCJAP, or related FL credential
• Registered interns (e.g., RMHC, RCSWI) with active supervision are welcomed if experienced in SUD treatment
• Masters degree strongly preferred, but experienced certified counselors will be considered

What We Offer

• Competitive pay based on experience and credentials
• Full-time schedule with growth opportunities as our programs expand
• Supportive leadership and a structured, compliant clinical environment
• Training, mentorship, and cross-department collaboration
• Opportunity to build a strong career with a growing multi-state organization

Ideal Candidates Will

• Work well in a fast-moving environment
• Be highly organized and accountable with documentation deadlines
• Demonstrate empathy, professionalism, and strong boundaries
• Adapt quickly to new systems, technology, and internal processes

We are actively interviewing and looking to fill this role as soon as possible.

We look forward to considering your experience and learning how you can contribute to our clinical team.