Substance Use Counselor

Acadia Healthcare; Lawrence (MA); Hybrid; USD 43,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Sign-on bonus

Semi-annual bonus

Medical insurance

Dental & Vision

401(k) with match

Paid vacation & sick leave

Clinical supervision

CEU access

EAP

Job summary

Acadia Healthcare’s Lawrence Comprehensive Treatment Center in Massachusetts is hiring a Substance Use Counselor for a full-time role with early morning shifts. A hybrid schedule may be available after training, and a sign-on bonus is offered.

You will work with a collaborative team delivering MAT and related services to individuals with Opioid Use Disorder, within a supportive, growth-oriented environment.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in psychology, social work, or related health services field from an accredited college or university.
• Licensure or certification in CAC, CAS, CADC, CRC, LADC, LICSW, LCSW, LMHC, or LMFT, or plan to obtain within 60 days of hire.
• Bachelor’s degree holders encouraged to apply if pursuing required credentials within 30–60 days of employment.
• Reimbursement for licensing or certification exam fees to support credential attainment.

Responsibilities

• Lead individual and group counseling sessions with compassion and professionalism.
• Design, manage, and document treatment plans tailored to patient needs.
• Facilitate group or family therapy sessions as required.
• Maintain thorough, clear, timely documentation on patient care, progress, and incidents.
• Conduct initial and ongoing patient assessments.
• Determine the need for referrals to additional programs or external resources.
• Coordinate aftercare plans to support long-term recovery.
• Provide immediate crisis intervention services when needed.
• Manage patient cases to ensure personalized, high-quality care.
• Serve as liaison between patients and referral sources.

Skills

MAT knowledge

CBT

MI

Relapse prevention

Documentation

42 CFR Part 2

HIPAA

Team-based care

Education

Master’s Degree

Bachelor’s Degree with credentialing plan

Licensing/certification credentials (CAC, CAS, CADC, CRC, LADC, LICSW, LCSW, LMHC, LMFT)

Job description

Overview

Outpatient MAT Opioid Treatment Program (OTP)

Now Hiring: Substance Use Counselor

Sign-On Bonus Available!

Full-Time Schedule: Early morning hours encouraging a great work-life balance:

• Monday - Friday, 6:00 AM - 2:00 PM, or
• Monday - Friday, 7:30 AM - 3:30 PM

Hybrid Schedule:

• Offered to candidates with extensive SUD counseling experience.
• Hybrid clinicians will receive a laptop and can split their schedule between on-site and remote work after completing an initial in-person training period.

Why Work With Us? Benefits Include:

• Semi-Annual Bonus Program
• Comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance
• Competitive 401(k) with employer match
• Paid vacation and sick leave
• Free employer-sponsored clinical supervision
• Unlimited access to over 500 accredited Continuing Education Units (CEUs)
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) supporting your well-being
• Industry-leading growth and development opportunities

Our Team:

Lawrence Comprehensive Treatment Center (CTC), located in Lawrence, MA, is part of Acadia Healthcare's Comprehensive Treatment Centers—the nation's leader in medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for individuals seeking recovery from Opioid Use Disorder. We provide a continuum of care that includes Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT), Office-Based Addiction Treatment (OBAT), Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP), and mobile treatment units.

At Lawrence CTC, you’ll have the unique opportunity to work directly with a collaborative team of clinicians, case managers, nurses, and physicians delivering community-based services in a supportive and engaging environment. This role offers exceptional opportunities for learning and skill-building, while contributing to innovative, cutting-edge care. Be part of creating new pathways to recovery and integrated healthcare solutions at the intersection of CTC and local health services.

Key Responsibilities:

As a Substance Use Counselor, you will be essential in guiding patients through their treatment journey and fostering recovery from Opioid Use Disorder (OUD). This role will focus on community engagement, conducting mobile outreach in collaboration with hospitals, emergency departments, and health centers. It will also involve partnering with local providers and government officials, as well as:

• Leading individual and group counseling sessions with compassion and professionalism.
• Designing, managing, and documenting treatment plans tailored to patient needs.
• Facilitating group or family therapy sessions as required.
• Keeping thorough, clear, and timely documentation on patient care, progress, and any incidents.
• Conducting initial and ongoing patient assessments.
• Determining the necessity of referrals to additional programs or external resources.
• Coordinating aftercare plans to support long-term recovery.
• Providing immediate crisis intervention services when needed.
• Managing patient cases to ensure personalized, high-quality care.
• Serving as a liaison between patients and referral sources.

Role Location: Massachusetts

Calculated Salary Range for therole: $31.00 - $38.00 per hour

Eligible positions may qualify for student loan forgiveness through HRSA, depending on clinic site eligibility. Check your eligibilty here: HRSA Eligibility

Qualifications

Required Education:

• Master’s Degree in a relevant field, or one of the following credentials: CAC, CAS, CADC, CRC, LADC, LICSW, LCSW, LMHC, or LMFT.
• Bachelor’s Degree holders without credentials are encouraged to apply if they are committed to obtaining required credentials within 30-60 days of employment.
• For Bachelor’s-level candidates, we provide reimbursement for licensing or certification exam fees to support credential attainment.
• Degree obtained must be in psychology, social work, or related health services field from an accredited college or university.

Licenses/Certifications:

• Candidates who do not hold a Master’s degree must possess one of the following certifications or commit to obtaining it within 60 days of hire:
  • CAC, CAS, CADC, CRC, LADC, LICSW, LCSW, LMHC, LMFT.
  • We provide reimbursement for licensing or certification exam fees to support credential attainment.

Your Skills & Experience:

• Previous experience in addiction recovery or behavioral health settings, such as outpatient, residential, or correctional facilities.
• Familiarity with Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT), including methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone.
• Experience conducting individual and group counseling sessions focused on substance use recovery.
• Knowledge of evidence-based practices, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing (MI), and relapse prevention techniques.
• Documentation experience, including maintaining clinical notes, treatment plans, and progress updates in accordance with state and federal guidelines.
• Familiarity with state regulatory standards (e.g., 42 CFR Part 2, HIPAA, Joint Commission standards).
• Experience collaborating in a multidisciplinary team with medical staff, case managers, and peer support specialists.

We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants for employment regardless of an individual’s characteristics protected by applicable state, federal and local laws.

AHCTC

#LI-CTC

#LI-BB1