Substance Use Counselor

Alpharus Health; Ocala (FL); On-site; USD 49,000 - 68,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

403(b) Retirement Plan with employer 3

PTO 18 days per year

9 paid holidays

Tuition reimbursement up to $5,250 per

Professional development & CEU access

Job summary

Alpharus Health is seeking a Substance Use Counselor in Ocala, FL to provide counseling services for individuals with substance use disorders, including group and individual sessions, under supervision. This role supports treatment planning, aftercare, and coordination of services in a correctional healthcare context.

The counselor will conduct interviews, monitor progress, and adjust plans to promote recovery, with emphasis on relapse prevention and pro-social skills development.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a helping profession from an accredited college or university.
• Active listening and social perceptiveness are required.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills are essential.

Responsibilities

• Conduct client interviews to review substance use history and treatment.
• Evaluate responses to adjust treatment plans and manage caseloads.
• Provide didactic group counseling and psychoeducation to support relapse prevention.
• Deliver individual counseling and educational programs for behavior change.
• Carry caseload under supervision and approvals per state/contract requirements.
• Develop discharge summaries and aftercare plans with supervisor input.
• Coordinate services to resolve crises and support recovery.

Skills

Active listening

Communication skills

Adaptability

Social perceptiveness

Education

Bachelor's degree in a helping profession

Job description

Substance Use Counselor

Post Date: Sep 11, 2026

Location: Ocala, FL, US, 33513

Position Type: Full Time

Requisition Number: 34414

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8AM - 5PM

Who is Alpharus Health?

Alpharus Health is a national nonprofit behavioral health provider dedicated to helping people build healthier lives. For nearly 60 years, we have provided substance use and mental health treatment that helps individuals, families, and communities find healing, hope, and lasting wellbeing. Our mission is simple: We help people build healthier lives. By combining clinical expertise with a person-centered approach, we help people build the skills, resilience, and support systems needed to create meaningful, lasting change.

Why join us?

Consider joining our team, where your impact can be truly meaningful. Our organization focuses on delivering high quality clinical services as a recognized leader in evidence-based treatment proven to get results. By joining our team, you'll be working for an organization that values you and aims to be an employer of choice. You can expect to be part of a vibrant culture that emphasizes teamwork and professional growth. When you join us, you'll discover personal and professional fulfillment by aligning your career with your values.

We are honored to offer behavioral healthcare services in Corrections

Perks of working in correctional healthcare:

• Opportunity to make a positive impact on a marginalized population
• Exposure to diverse patient demographics
• Focus on driving change, tracking progress, and improving care
• Development of skills in a unique healthcare setting

Location:

• Lowell C.I. Annex
• 11120 NW Gainesville Rd, Ocala, FL 34482

Substance Abuse Counselors are responsible for:

• Conducts client interviews to review substance use disorder and treatment history.
• Evaluates client response to treatment to recommend modifications to the treatment plan and assist with caseloads and development of individualized treatment plan and preparing individually appropriate goals, interventions, and necessary support.
• Assists with and provides basic didactic group counseling, including psychoeducation, drug education, and family education to ensure peer support occurs.
• Provides individual client counseling, educational programs and lectures to address relapse prevention, problem solving, behavior modification, anger management, etc., and to assist in overcoming substance use disorder, adjusting to pro-social life, and making cognitive and behavioral changes.
• Under direct supervision and with supervisor's approval, carries case load, per State and contract requirements.
• Collaborates with clients to develop discharge summary and plans for supervisor's approval to integrate aftercare treatment with referral resource services.
• Coordinates required services to resolve emergency problems in crisis situations in support of continued recovery.
• Collects and maintains treatment records and reports to ensure organizational, regulatory, accreditation, and contractual compliance.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Job Requirements:

• Minimum of a Bachelor's Degree in a helping profession from an accredited college or university
• Some previous experience substance use treatment/counseling and/or mental health counseling is preferred
• Current Certified Addictions Professional (CAP) or Masters Certified Addictions Counselor (MCAP) or Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) or Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) or Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) preferred
• Must be able to obtain Florida Department of Corrections clearance to work in the correctional institution.
• Basic knowledge of the principles of human growth and psychosocial development
• Basic knowledge of group and individual dynamics, conflict resolution and intervention techniques based on client maturation level
• Basic understanding of mental health disorders requiring referrals
• Basic communication skills to exchange information and interact with various internal and external audiences regarding client care
• Active listening skills and social perceptiveness
• Ability to read and interpret policies and instructions
• Ability to understand side effects and impact of medications on client
• Adaptability / flexibility: ability to shift priorities

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to walk and move about the facilities for up to two hours at a time, to monitor and interact with clients
• Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects.
• Ability to record, proofread and check documents and files for accuracy, to prepare and analyze data and figures, transcribe, read
• Ability to use a keyboard and video display terminal to receive, retrieve, and/or audit information and data
• Ability to respond to telephones, and to hear and detect alarms and unusual noises

Compensation:

• Range is between $49,296 - $67,917
• Starting rates are determined based on years of experience, qualifications, and relevant skills.
• Alpharus Health conducts annual performance reviews, with merit increase eligibility determined by employee performance and organizational financial performance.

Benefits at Apharus Health

Health and Wellness:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees and dependents
• Employee wellness program promoting health and fitness and offering cash-saving premiums
• Employee assistance programs focused on mental health

Financial Wellbeing:

• 403(b) Retirement Plan with 3% employer match
• Short-term and Long-term Disability and Life and AD&D Insurance paid for by Alpharus
• Flexible Spending Accounts for medical and dependent care
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)

Flexibility and Time Off:

• 18 paid time off days per year - accrual rates increase with years of service
• 9 paid company holidays
• Work-life-balance

Personal Development:

• Training & Development Programs
• Tuition Reimbursement - up to $5,250 per calendar year
• eLearning access to online courses that provide CEU's and job-related training
• Clinical Supervision: Formal and informal guidance

Alpharus Health is an Equal Opportunity Employer: Race/Color/Sex/Sexual Orientation/ Gender Identity/Religion/National Origin/Disability/Vets. Please view Equal Employment Opportunity Posters provided by OFCCP here.

Nearest Major Market: Orlando