Substance Use Counselor

Volunteers of America; Sioux Falls (SD); On-site; USD 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

Volunteers of America in Sioux Falls, SD, seeks a Substance Use Counselor to deliver individual, group, and family counseling within an open-access outpatient model under the CCBHC initiative. You will perform psychosocial and substance use assessments, create individualized treatment plans, and work with a multidisciplinary team, including Mental Health Therapists and Case Managers.

The role supports same-day access, applies ASAM criteria, and requires licensure progress toward SD LAC along

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree is required.
• Experience conducting psychosocial and substance use assessments and developing treatment plans.
• Experience with electronic health record documentation is required.
• LAC or advanced SUD counseling certification preferred; licensure pathway noted.

Responsibilities

• Provide individual, group, and family counseling to clients with substance use disorders.
• Maintain same-day/open-access schedule for walk-in care.
• Apply ASAM criteria in treatment planning and level-of-care decisions.
• Provide crisis intervention and safety planning as needed.
• Coordinate with Case Managers, Mental Health Therapists, primary care, and DCO partners.

Skills

Strong communication

Engagement

Cultural humility

Time management

Bilingual

Education

Bachelor’s degree in psychology, social work, counseling, addiction studies, or a related field

Tools

Electronic health records (EHR)

Job description

Location: Sioux Falls, SD

Department: Behavioral Health

Job Status: Full-Time

Reports To: Director of Outpatient Operations

Work Schedule: Full-time, requiring flexible hours. Occasional evening hours may be required to support access and engagement needs.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Substance Use Counselor delivers individual, group, and family substance use disorder (SUD) counseling as part of VOA, Dakotas’ expansion of same-day/open-access outpatient behavioral health capacity under its Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) initiative. This position conducts psychosocial and substance use assessments, develops individualized treatment plans, and delivers evidence-based counseling interventions to individuals with substance use and co-occurring mental health disorders. The Substance Use Counselor participates in a rotating schedule that ensures same-day and walk-in access to care and works closely with Mental Health Therapists, Case Managers, and the Medical Director to deliver coordinated, integrated treatment.

Reasonable Accommodations Statement

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Clinical Service Delivery

• Provide individual, group, and family counseling to clients with substance use disorders.
• Deliver services within a rotating same-day/open-access schedule to support timely, walk-in outpatient care.
• Apply evidence-based practices and ASAM (American Society of Addiction Medicine) placement criteria in treatment planning and level-of-care decisions.
• Provide crisis intervention and safety planning as needed, and coordinate with Designated Collaborating Organization (DCO) crisis partners for higher levels of care.

Assessment & Treatment Planning

• Conduct comprehensive psychosocial and substance use assessments for new and existing clients.
• Develop, implement, and regularly update individualized service plans in collaboration with clients and the treatment team.
• Monitor client progress and adjust treatment plans based on outcomes and changing needs.

CCBHC Access & Care Coordination

• Support VOA Dakotas’ same-day/open-access model by maintaining availability for walk-in intake and engagement.
• Coordinate care with Case Managers, Mental Health Therapists, primary care, and DCO partners to ensure integration across all nine CCBHC core services.
• Refer and connect clients to Medicaid enrollment, benefits navigation, and other supportive services as needed.

Documentation & Compliance

• Maintain timely, accurate clinical documentation in the electronic health record consistent with CCBHC, Medicaid, and licensure requirements.
• Ensure documentation supports CCBHC quality measure reporting and PPS billing readiness.
• Comply with all applicable South Dakota licensure, confidentiality, and ethical practice standards.

Professional Development

• Participate in clinical supervision toward South Dakota LAC licensure, as applicable.
• Engage in ongoing training on evidence-based SUD treatment practices and co-occurring disorder care.

Responsible to carry out other duties as assigned to support program operations and goals.

POSITIONS QUALIFICATIONS SKILLS & ABILITIES

Education: Bachelor’s degree in psychology, social work, counseling, addiction studies, or a related field required. Working knowledge of SUD treatment modalities, ASAM placement criteria, and co-occurring disorder care required.

Experience: Experience conducting psychosocial and substance use assessments and developing individualized treatment plans required. Experience with electronic health record documentation required.

Preferred Qualifications: LAC or other advanced SUD counseling certification. Experience treating co-occurring SUD and serious mental illness. Experience serving Medicaid-enrolled and uninsured populations. Experience in a CCBHC, FQHC, or other integrated behavioral health setting. Bilingual or experience serving rural, veteran, or tribal populations.

Skills: Strong communication, engagement, and cultural humility skills for work with diverse populations required.

Competencies: Clinical assessment, motivational interviewing, crisis intervention, cultural humility, documentation and compliance, collaboration and care coordination, and time management and flexibility

Licenses: South Dakota Licensed Addiction Counselor (LAC) credential, or actively accruing supervised hours toward LAC licensure through the SD Board of Addiction and Prevention Professionals (BAPP) required. Valid driver's license and reliable transportation.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

A. Ability to Stand, Walk, sit, and use standard office equipment for extended periods.

B. Ability to respond flexibly to a same-day/open-access clinical schedule, including walk-in appointments.

Why VOA Dakotas

VOA Dakotas is committed to empowering individuals and communities through compassionate, person-centered services. The Substance Use Counselor will play a direct role in expanding timely access to substance use treatment and helping individuals and families across the region achieve recovery and improved well-being.