Substance Abuse Counselor

Heluna Health; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 50,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Heluna Health in Los Angeles seeks a Substance Abuse Counselor to provide treatment and recovery services for individuals with substance use disorders. This role involves comprehensive assessments, connection to community resources, and support through case management, working part of a multi-disciplinary team.

Candidates should have a year of relevant experience and education in substance abuse counseling. The position requires effective communication and the ability to work in stressful settings. The role aims to improve health outcomes and reduce recidivism.

Qualifications

• One year of experience in a substance abuse program.
• Completion of a substance abuse counselor training program.
• Ability to follow oral and written instructions.

Responsibilities

• Conduct comprehensive client assessments for substance use disorders.
• Connect clients to community-based resources and services.
• Provide screening, counseling, and case management support.

Skills

Counseling individuals, families, and groups

Case management services

Behavioral health assessments

Community resource connection

Data-driven care management

Education

60 semester units in substance abuse counseling or related field

Job description

The Substance Abuse Counselor will provide a variety of substance use disorder and/or mental health prevention, brief intervention, treatment and recovery services, such as patient/client screenings/assessments, and case management, with a focus on linkages for post-release services. The Substance Abuse Counselor will work as part of a multi-disciplinary team. These services will be provided in accordance with California’s Medicaid 1115 JI Reentry Initiative and other Department requirements with the goal of improving health outcomes and reducing recidivism.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Conducting comprehensive client assessments that evaluate behavioral health, physical health, substance use, and social needs, consistent with CalAIM’s whole-person care approach.
• Connecting clients to community-based resources such as housing, employment, legal assistance, health benefits, and medical or behavioral health services, which aligns with CalAIM’s focus on addressing social determinants of health and reducing barriers to care.
• Providing screening, counseling, recovery support, care coordination, and case management services that promote integrated and person-centered treatment planning.
• Assisting with interdisciplinary collaboration, workforce development, and program support activities that strengthen integrated behavioral health systems and expand access to care.
• Collaborating with multidisciplinary treatment teams to develop and implement individualized care plans related to release planning and linkages for post-release services that improve health outcomes and continuity of care.
• Supporting behavioral health prevention, education, and community engagement efforts that advance population health and community-based care initiatives under CalAIM.
• Monitoring and documenting client progress to support data-driven care management, quality improvement, and coordinated service delivery.

JOB QUALIFICATIONS

Ability to follow oral and written instructions. Ability to exercise sound judgement while working in a stressful environment. Able to lift up to a 10-pound limit and some bending, stooping, or squatting.

Education/Experience

• One (1) year of experience in a substance abuse program with experience providing physical assessment of patients, counseling of individuals, families and groups, and documentation.
• One (1) year of training at the level of Substance Abuse Counselor Aid in a substance abuse counselor training program.
• Completion of 60 semester units or equivalent quarter units in an accredited college or university with specialization in substance abuse counseling, social work, psychology, sociology, or human services.

Certificates/Licenses/Clearances

• Successfully clear the LA County Live Scan process.
• Successfully clear the Health Clearance.

Other Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities

• Willing to work in Correctional Health Facilities

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Stand: Frequently
• Walk: Frequently
• Sit: Frequently
• Handling / Fingering: Occasionally
• Reach Outward: Occasionally
• Reach Above Shoulder: Occasionally
• Climb, Crawl, Kneel, Bend: Occasionally
• Lift / Carry: Occasionally - Up to 10 lbs
• Push/Pull: Occasionally - Up to 10 lbs
• See: Constantly
• Taste/ Smell: Not Applicable
• Not Applicable = Not required for essential functions
• Occasionally = (0 - 2 hrs/day)
• Frequently = (2 - 5 hrs/day)
• Constantly = (5+ hrs/day)

EEOC STATEMENT

It is the policy of Heluna Health to provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants, without regard to age (40 and over), national origin or ancestry, race, color, religion, sex, gender, sexual orientation, pregnancy or perceived pregnancy, reproductive health decision making, physical or mental disability, medical condition (including cancer or a record or history of cancer), AIDS or HIV, genetic information or characteristics, veteran status or military service.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.