Substance Use Counselor

Heritage Behavioral Health Center; Decatur (IL); On-site; USD 52,000 - 64,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Every other Friday off (paid)

NHSC loan forgiveness eligibility

Two years to earn CADC, LPC, or LSW

Competitive pay aligned with state/nat

401(k) and Roth options

Tuition assistance

EAP and fitness reimbursement

Health, dental, vision insurance

Generous time off

Life insurance options

Job summary

Heritage Behavioral Health Center in Decatur, IL is seeking Substance Use Counselors to support adults on their recovery journey. You will provide compassionate, evidence-based care including assessments, treatment planning, and ASAM-aligned counseling.

Bachelor's or Master's candidates are welcome; CADC/LPC/LSW licensure can be earned within 2 years. This full-time role offers every other Friday off, NHSC loan forgiveness eligibility, and a collaborative, recovery-oriented team.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or graduate degree in a human service field
• Ability to obtain CADC within 2 years of employment
• CADC/LPC/LSW licensure eligibility within 2 years of employment
• Must be at least 21 years of age

Responsibilities

• Conduct substance use and mental health assessments using ASAM Criteria and IM-CANS
• Develop individualized treatment plans based on assessment findings
• Provide ASAM Level 1 and Level 2 services including individual and group counseling
• Use Motivational Interviewing and evidence-based practices to engage clients
• Incorporate harm reduction strategies and support MAR
• Facilitate psychoeducational and therapeutic groups on recovery and coping skills
• Coordinate care with internal and external providers for continuity
• Maintain accurate documentation in compliance with standards
• Participate in team meetings and ongoing professional development

Skills

ASAM Criteria knowledge

Harm reduction

Motivational Interviewing

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Counseling sessions

Cultural competence

Therapeutic relationships

Crisis management

Documentation in EHR

Ongoing professional development

Education

Bachelor's degree in human services

Graduate degree in counseling/psychology/social work

CADC/LPC/LSW licensure eligibility within 2 years

Tools

Electronic health records (EHR)

Job description

If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, contact this employer to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process.

Substance Use Counselor

SU Outpatient Full Time QMHP - Unlicensed 151 North Main, Decatur, Decatur, IL, US

2 days ago Requisition ID: 1603

Salary Range: $25.00 To $32.00 Hourly

Substance Use Counselor

Heritage Behavioral Health Center

$25/hour – $64,000/year | Every other Friday off, paid | NHSC loan forgiveness eligible

Looking for a career where your work truly matters? Heritage Behavioral Health Center is hiring Substance Use Counselors to support adults on their recovery journey. Bachelor's and Master's candidates are welcome, and you don't need your CADC yet: you'll have two years to earn your certification or license.

Pay and Schedule

Pay is based on education and licensure or certification:

• Bachelor's Degree: $25.00/hour + every other Friday off paid
• Bachelor's Degree + CADC: $27.00/hour + every other Friday off paid
• Master's Degree: $60,000/year + every other Friday off paid
• Master's Degree + LPC, LSW, or CADC: $64,000/year + every other Friday off paid

Schedule: Full-time | Every other Friday off (paid wellness day)

Why You'll Love Working Here

• Every other Friday off as a paid wellness day: that's 26 three-day weekends a year
• Loan forgiveness eligibility through the National Health Service Corps (NHSC)
• Time to grow: two years to earn your CADC, LPC, or LSW after you start
• A recovery-oriented, harm reduction approach that meets people where they are
• Competitive pay aligned with state and national benchmarks
• Generous time off: vacation, sick, personal, and holiday leave
• Health, dental, and vision insurance with substantial agency contributions
• 401(k) and Roth retirement options
• Tuition assistance and continuing education support
• Flexible Spending Accounts (healthcare and dependent care)
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and fitness reimbursement
• Additional life insurance options
• A collaborative, mission-driven team where every role impacts client care

Your Role

As a Substance Use Counselor, you will play a vital role in supporting adults with substance use and/or co-occurring mental health disorders. You will provide compassionate, evidence-based care that empowers individuals on their recovery journey, including assessments, individualized treatment planning, and counseling aligned with ASAM criteria and harm reduction principles. You will work with a multidisciplinary team to ensure integrated, person-centered care.

What You'll Do

• Conduct substance use and mental health assessments using ASAM Criteria and IM-CANS
• Develop individualized treatment plans based on assessment findings and client goals
• Provide ASAM Level 1 (Outpatient) and Level 2 (Intensive Outpatient) services, including individual and group counseling
• Use Motivational Interviewing (MI) and other evidence-based practices to engage and support clients
• Incorporate harm reduction strategies and support Medication-Assisted Recovery (MAR)
• Facilitate psychoeducational and therapeutic groups on recovery, relapse prevention, and coping skills
• Coordinate care with internal and external providers to ensure continuity of services
• Maintain accurate, timely documentation in compliance with agency, state, and federal standards
• Participate in team meetings, case consultations, and ongoing professional development

What You'll Bring

• Knowledge of ASAM Criteria, levels of care, and integrated treatment for co-occurring disorders
• Understanding of harm reduction, recovery-oriented care, and Medication-Assisted Recovery
• Familiarity with evidence-based approaches such as Motivational Interviewing and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
• Skill in facilitating individual and group counseling sessions
• A nonjudgmental, culturally competent approach that adapts to each client's stage of change
• Ability to build trusting therapeutic relationships and maintain professional boundaries
• Calm, effective crisis management
• Strong organizational and electronic health record documentation skills
• Commitment to ongoing learning and best practices in substance use treatment

Qualifications

One of the following:

• Bachelor's degree in a human service field, with the ability to obtain CADC certification within 2 years of employment
• Graduate degree in counseling, clinical psychology, social work, or another human service field, with the ability to obtain CADC certification or LPC or LSW licensure within 2 years of employment

Also required:

• Minimum of 21 years of age
• Valid driver's license, reliable transportation, and proof of automobile insurance

About Heritage Behavioral Health Center

Heritage is a mission-driven Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic with locations in Decatur and Clinton, Illinois, dedicated to improving mental health and substance use care across a multi-county area. We recognize that everyone at our organization has an impact on client care, regardless of the position they hold.