Substance Use Counselor

Acadia Healthcare; Palm Springs (CA); On-site; USD 37,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

401(k) Plan

Paid vacation and sick time

Employer-paid clinical supervision

Free CEUs access (500+ CEUs)

EAP program

Early morning shifts

Growth opportunities

Job summary

Desert Comprehensive Treatment Center in Palm Springs, part of Acadia Healthcare, seeks a Substance Use Counselor for its outpatient MAT program. The role delivers individual and group counseling to patients with opioid use disorder, supports recovery, and maintains thorough clinical documentation.

Required HS diploma with CA certification/registration; preferred additional certification. Competitive benefits and opportunity for growth are offered. Early shifts align with program needs.

Qualifications

• HS graduate or equivalent required.
• Prefer Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in social or health services field.
• Degree must be from an accredited college or university.
• Previous experience in addiction recovery or behavioral health settings.
• Familiarity with MAT (methadone, buprenorphine, naltrexone).
• Experience conducting individual and group counseling sessions focused on substance use recovery.
• Knowledge of CBT, MI, and relapse prevention techniques.
• Documentation experience in clinical notes and treatment plans.
• Familiarity with state regulatory standards (42 CFR Part 2, HIPAA, Joint Commission).
• Experience collaborating in a multidisciplinary team with medical staff.

Responsibilities

• Provide high quality, compassionate guidance in 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 clearly.
• Prepare individual treatment plans for each patient.
• Perform initial and follow-up assessments.
• Evaluate patient needs and determine referrals to other programs or facilities.
• Provide crisis intervention when needed.
• Provide case management duties ensuring individualized quality care.
• Act as liaison between referral sources and patients.

Skills

Counseling

Group counseling

Documentation

Crisis intervention

Adaptability

Education

High School diploma or GED

Bachelor’s or Master’s in social/health services

Tools

Documentation tools

Job description

Overview

Outpatient MAT Opioid Treatment Program

Seeking:Substance Use Counselor

Requirements:

• AOD Registration is required.
• AOD Certification is preferred.
• Registration/Certification must be obtained from a California-approved Counselor Certification Organization (CAADE, CADTP or CCAPP).

Full time Hours: Monday - Friday 5:00 AM - 1:30 PM

Our Benefits:

• 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:

Desert Comprehensive Treatment Center (CTC), located in Palm Springs,CA, 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.

Responsibilities

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.

Compensation for roles at Desert CTC varies depending on a wide array of factors including but not limited to the specific location, role, skill set, and level of experience.As required by local law, DesertCTC provides a reasonable hourly range of compensation for roles that may be hired in California as set forth below.Role Location: California

Calculated Salary Range for role: $26.50 - 30.16 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, Skills, and Qualifications:

• HS graduate or equivalent required;
• Prefer Bachelor's or Master’s degree in social or health services field;
• 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:

• AOD Registration is required.
• AOD Certification is preferred.
• Registration/Certification must be obtained from a California-approved Counselor Certification Organization (CAADE, CADTP or CCAPP).

We are committed to providingequal employmentopportunitiestoall applicantsforemploymentregardlessofanindividual’scharacteristicsprotected byapplicable state,federalandlocallaws.