Substance Use Counselor

Health Care for the Homeless; Baltimore (MD); On-site; USD 66,000 - 77,000; Full time

Job summary

Health Care for the Homeless seeks a Substance Use Counselor to provide outpatient SUD treatment and recovery support to youth and adults experiencing homelessness. The role employs a trauma-informed, client-centered approach, delivering services across multiple Health Care for the Homeless locations, including fixed-site clinics and mobile/community settings.

The counselor works within the Behavioral Health team, collaborating on treatment plans, engaging in groups, and coordinating care with

Qualifications

• Associates degree in human services or related field is required.
• Maryland licensure/certification for substance abuse counseling (CSC-AD, CAC-AD, or LCADC) is required.
• Minimum two years of experience with individuals with substance use disorders.
• Knowledge of harm reduction and serving underserved populations (homeless individuals) preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide substance use and behavioral health assessments and interventions using harm reduction, trauma-informed, and client-centered approaches.
• Engage clients across clinic, mobile, and community settings to reduce barriers to care and support continuity of treatment.
• Provide individual and group counseling to help clients set goals related to safer use, treatment, or recovery.
• Conduct screening, triage, intake, assessment, and referrals to appropriate levels of care including detox, residential, and outpatient services.
• Facilitate groups to engage clients with substance use or co-occurring disorders and promote health and safety.
• Collaborate with an integrated, multidisciplinary care team to implement individualized treatment plans with SMART goals.
• Participate in interdisciplinary case conferences and care coordination to support holistic care.
• Coordinate with MAT prescribers and medical staff to support MOUD such as Suboxone.
• Provide consultation on substance use resources, harm reduction strategies, and referrals to higher levels of care.
• Assist in administering contingency management programs with behavioral health leadership.
• Document services and authorizations in the electronic health record for reimbursement.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Team collaboration

Verbal communication

Written communication

Crisis management

Education

Associates degree in human services or related field

Bachelor’s degree preferred

Job description

Substance Use Counselor

Salary Range: $66,379.00 - $77,442.00 Salary

Position Type: Full Time

Reports To: Director of Recovery Services

Job Family: Behavioral Health Providers

FLSA Status: Exempt

Supervisor: No

Hours: 8:00am - 4:30pm, M-F

Location: Main Clinic, In-Person and On-Site

Working as part of the Behavioral Health team, the Substance Use Counselor provides outpatient substance use disorder (SUD) treatment and recovery support services to youth and adults experiencing homelessness. This role engages individuals who use substances with a trauma-informed, client-centered approach that prioritizes dignity, autonomy, and practical strategies to improve health and safety. Services are delivered across multiple Health Care for the Homeless locations, including fixed-site clinics, mobile clinics, and community-based settings, to meet clients where they are and reduce barriers to care.

Key Role Responsibilities:

• Provides substance use and behavioral health assessments and interventions that support the client’s overall health and well-being, using a harm reduction, trauma-informed, and non-judgmental approach that respects client autonomy and lived experience.


• Engages and re-engages clients in services across clinic, mobile, and community settings, helping to reduce barriers to care and support ongoing connection to treatment.


• Provides individual counseling and group counseling, supporting clients in identifying goals related to safer substance use, treatment, or recovery based on their readiness for change.


• Conducts screening, triage, intake, assessment, and referrals to appropriate levels of care including detoxification, residential treatment, outpatient services, and recovery support when desired by the client.


• Facilitates groups designed to engage clients with substance use or co-occurring disorders, promote health and safety, and support movement along the continuum of change.


• Participates actively on an integrated, multidisciplinary care team to develop and implement individualized treatment plans using SMART goals that reflect client priorities and needs.


• Contributes to interdisciplinary case conferences and care coordination to support holistic care for clients.


• Works closely with Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) prescribers and medical staff to support clients receiving medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) such as Suboxone.


• Supports the Behavioral Health and MAT teams by providing consultation on substance use resources, harm reduction strategies, and referrals to higher levels of care.


• Partners with behavioral health leadership to administer the contingency management program.


• Completes documentation of services in accordance with established forms, formats, and required timeframes within the electronic health record.


• Completes required documentation and authorizations necessary for reimbursement for behavioral health services.

Qualifications:

Formal Education and Training:

• Associates degree in a human services related field required. Bachelor’s degree preferred.


• Licensed or certified by the Maryland Board of Professional Counselors in substance abuse counseling (CSC-AD, CAC-AD, or LCADC) required.

Experience:

• Minimum two years of experience working with individuals with substance use disorders.


• Knowledge of harm reduction and commitment to translate harm reduction philosophy into practice.


• Experience working with underserved populations, including individuals experiencing homelessness, preferred.

Skills:

• Well-developed interpersonal skills necessary to build trusting relationships with clients and community partners.


• Able to work in an interdisciplinary team and collaborate with others across various disciplines and service locations.


• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.


• Able to work with individuals who may be ill, disabled, emotionally distressed, or experiencing crisis.
  

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