Substance Use Counselor

Acadia Healthcare; Lynchburg (VA); On-site; USD 34,000 - 39,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Semi-Annual Bonus Program

Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance

Competitive 401(k) plan

Paid vacation and sick time

Employer-paid clinical supervision

Free CEUs (500+)

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Early morning hours

Growth opportunities in industry

Job summary

Acadia Healthcare's Lynchburg Comprehensive Treatment Center is seeking a dedicated Substance Use Counselor to support patients with opioid use disorder through individual and group counseling. The role emphasizes MAT awareness, compassionate care, and thorough documentation to meet regulatory standards.

Working Monday–Friday 6 AM–2 PM in Lynchburg, VA, you will plan treatment, assess needs, coordinate referrals, and provide crisis intervention as needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in counseling, social, or health services field with 2+ years’ experience.
• Master’s degree in counseling, social, or health services field with 1 year of professional work experience.
• Degree must be from an accredited college or university.
• Experience in addiction recovery or behavioral health settings (outpatient/residential/correctional).
• Familiarity with MAT including methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone.
• Experience conducting individual and group counseling sessions focused on substance use recovery.
• Knowledge of CBT, MI, and relapse prevention techniques.
• Documentation experience with clinical notes, treatment plans, and updates.
• Familiarity with state regulatory standards (42 CFR Part 2, HIPAA, Joint Commission).
• Experience collaborating in a multidisciplinary team with medical staff, case managers, and peer support specialists.

Responsibilities

• Provide high quality, compassionate guidance in both individual and group counseling sessions.
• Plan, oversee, facilitate and document patient's recovery.
• Co-facilitate assigned group or family sessions as needed.
• Ensure all documentation regarding patient care, treatment, and incidents is completed timely and in a clear, concise manner.
• Prepare individual treatment plans for each assigned patient.
• Initial assessments as well as follow up assessments.
• Evaluate patient needs and determine if referrals to other programs or facilities are needed.
• May plan for aftercare for assigned patients.
• Provide crisis intervention to patients, as needed.
• Provide case management duties for patients, ensuring individualized quality care as needed.
• Act as a liaison between referral sources and patients, as needed.

Skills

Counseling Experience

MAT Knowledge

Documentation Skills

Regulatory Knowledge

Multidisciplinary Collaboration

CBT & MI Techniques

Group Counseling

Assessment & Planning

Education

Bachelor's degree in Counseling

Master's degree in Counseling

Accredited College/University

Job description

Overview

Outpatient MAT Opioid Treatment Program

Seeking: Substance Use Counselor

• CSAC-R, CSAC, or CSAC eligible (required)

Full-Time Hours: Monday - Friday 6 AM - 2 PM

Our Benefits:

• Semi-Annual Bonus Program
• Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance
• Competitive 401(k) plan
• Paid vacation and sick time
• Employer-paid clinical supervision (free to employees)
• Free and unlimited access to 500+ accredited Continuing Education Units (CEUs)
• Employee Assistance Program(EAP) offering continued support to employee lifestyle and well-being
• Early morning hours offering a great work/life balance
• Opportunityfor growth that is second to none in the industry

Our Team:

Lynchburg Comprehensive Treatment Center (CTC), located in Lynchburg, VA, is part of Acadia Healthcare's Comprehensive Treatment Centers, the leading provider of medication-assisted treatment in the nation. Our counseling team provides compassionate, high-quality counseling and therapy to patients that are seeking recovery from Opioid Use Disorder.

Your Job as a Substance Use Counselor:

The Substance Use Counselor is instrumental in our patient’s treatment and recovery from opioid use disorder. Substance Use Counselors provide high quality, compassionate care through various mediums which include both individual and group counseling sessions.

Job Responsibilities:

• Provide high quality, compassionate guidance in both individual and group counseling sessions.
• Plan, oversee, facilitate and document patient's recovery.
• Co-facilitate assigned group or family sessions as needed.
• Ensure all documentation regarding patient care, treatment, and incidents is completed timely and in a clear, concise manner.
• Prepare individual treatment plans for each assigned patient.
• Initial assessments as well as follow up assessments.
• Evaluate patient needs and determine if referrals to other programs or facilities are needed.
• May plan for aftercare for assigned patients.
• Provide crisis intervention to patients, as needed.
• Provide case management duties for patients, ensuring individualized quality care as needed.
• Act as a liaison between referral sources and patients, as needed.

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

Role Location: Virginia

Calculated Salary Range for role: $25.00 - $28.00 per hour

Qualifications

Required Education, Skills, and Qualifications:

• Bachelor'sdegree in counseling, social, or health services field, with 2+ years’ experience in counseling or social services field;
• Master's degree in counseling, social, or health services field, with 1 year of professional work experience;
• Degree must be from an accredited college or university.
• 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.

Required Licenses/Certifications:

• Certified Substance Use Disorder Counselor: CSAC-R, CSAC– must be eligible to obtain within90 daysofemployment.
• Licensed Mental Health Professionals: LPC-R, LPC, LCSW-R, LCSW, LSATP
• Please note that anyone with an “R” on their license is required to have their supervisor sign off on all documentation notes.

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.

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