Substance Abuse Specialist

Suncoast Center, Inc.; Saint Petersburg (FL); On-site; USD 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

Suncoast Center, Inc. is seeking a substance abuse specialist to join our Assertive Community Treatment (FACT) mental health team in Saint Petersburg, FL.

The role focuses on psychotherapy and case management for individuals with co-occurring disorders within a fast-paced, client-centered environment. The position emphasizes strong organizational and professional skills, collaboration with a multidisciplinary team, and on-call crisis intervention as part of ongoing client care.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in social work, clinical psychology or related human services field.
• Bachelor’s level substance abuse specialists must be certified as a Certified Addiction Professional within one year of employment.
• At least two years’ experience with individuals with a severe mental illness and co-occurring disorders.

Responsibilities

• Provides counseling using solution-based and co-occurring intervention strategies aligned with best-practice principles.
• Continuing case coordination and timely documentation including letters and releases of information.
• Develops and prioritizes measurable treatment plan goals with clients; coordinates with family and team.
• Delivers FACT services including housing, medical, dental, financial support, employment assistance, daily living skills and addiction treatment.
• Maintains accurate assessments, treatment plans and progress notes with client input when appropriate.
• Participates in on-call crisis intervention and multi-disciplinary team activities; attends staff meetings and staffing discussions.
• Coordinates with family, other FACT staff and community supports to ensure holistic client care.

Skills

Counseling

Case management

Co-occurring disorders

Documentation

Team collaboration

Crisis intervention

Education

Bachelor's or Master's degree in social work, clinical psychology or related human services field

Certified Addiction Professional (within 1 year for bachelor level)

Tools

FASAMS

FARS

Job description

Suncoast Center, a leader in quality behavioral health services, is seekinga substance abuse specialist to join ourAssertive Community Treatment (FACT) mental health team. This role is essential in providing psychotherapy and case management to individuals with co-occurring disorders. The position requires strong organizational skills, professionalism, and the ability to work in a fast-paced, client-centered environment.

Suncoast Center has devoted over 75 years to ensuring the community has access to mental health services and support to individuals in need.

Job Duties

• Provides counseling using solution-based strategies and co-occurring strategies of intervention that are recovery oriented and that are consistent with best practice principles. Uses respectful and competency-based words and actions with clients and families while ensuring that client oriented treatment plan goals are incorporated into interventions.
• As continuing case coordinator for a group of assigned clients, ensures that all continuing documentation is completed in the required time frame; including status letters to the court, FASAMS, FARS treatment plan addendums and reviews and obtaining needed releases of information for client hospitalizations, doctor’s visits, etc.
• As case coordinator and in collaboration with the team, assists clients in developing realistic, effective and measurable treatment plan goals and objectives. Establishes and prioritizes behaviorally descriptive, realistic desired changes with clients, and develops a realistic plan for their accomplishment with appropriate time frames.
• Provides specific FACT services depending on staff responsibilities designated by team leader including ensuring clients have a safe and affordable place to live, necessary medical and dental services, financial support (employment and/or entitlements), ability to learn activities of daily living, vocational assistance, activities for leisure time, substance abuse treatment and other services client may request and have on individualized treatment plan.
• As case coordinator for a group of assigned clients, ensures that all initial and ongoing documentation is completed in the required time frame.
• Ensures that all assessments, treatment plans and progress notes are completed with accuracy, attention to detail and demonstrate excellent clinical skills and judgment and involve the client and his/her family input, if appropriate.
• Completes all other documentation correctly and in the required time frame including progress notes with objectives to treatment plan clearly stated and other documentation as requested by the team leader or needed to ensure all client records are complete.
• As part of a multi-disciplinary team, cooperates and participates fully with the FACT Team on-call response system. Provides on-call crisis intervention covering nighttime and weekend hours as requested. Demonstrates flexibility in support of the overall mission of the FACT Team Program in the delivery of the on-call services.
• Participates in daily staff organizational meetings and treatment planning review meetings. Discusses cases appropriately at staffing. When not able to be present at a daily meeting, calls in with or provides a written summary of client contacts over the previous 24-hour period.
• Coordinates with client’s family members, other FACT staff and community supports to ensure client needs are met and all involved with client’s treatment work together.
• Meets with team leader for supervision as necessary; discuss cases appropriately and maintains excellence in clinical practice.
• Accomplishes individual goals

Minimum Qualifications

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree required in social work, clinical psychology or related human services field. Bachelor’s level substance abuse specialists must be certified as a Certified Addiction Professional in accordance with Chapter 397, F.S. at the time of employment, or within one year of employment.

Schedule

Monday-Friday 8:00am-5pm. Must be available for rotation schedule shift of 10:30am-7:00pm.

Experience

At least two years’ experience with individuals with a severe and persistent mental illness and co-occurring disorders. Excellent clinical skills with a recovery orientation.

Additional Requirements

Must be able to complete a level II background screening and pre-employment drug test in compliance with Florida Law. Must be at least 21 years of age. Must be able to provide official transcripts.

Working Conditions

• Required to drive own car and/or company vehicle. Must meet established insurance requirements.
• FACT office, as well as in the community where most contacts occur. Exposure to extreme heat and humidity during the summer months.
• On-call covering nighttime and weekend hours as requested

Computer Literate

Suncoast Center, Inc. is a drug-free workplace and follows federal guidelines/regulations related to marijuana use

EOE/ADA/VETERANS/DFWP

All positions require a screening through the Clearinghouse. This site was implemented under the directive of House Bill 531 (2025).https://info.flclearinghouse.com/