Substance Use Counselor

Alpharus Health; Valdosta (GA); On-site; USD 26,000 - 34,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

403(b) retirement plan with employer 3

Disability & Life insurance

Flexible Spending Accounts

PSLF

Paid time off

Company holidays

Tuition reimbursement

CEU/training access

Job summary

Alpharus Health seeks a Substance Use Counselor to provide individual and group counseling within a correctional setting in Valdosta, GA. The role includes interviewing clients, assessing treatment history, and developing individualized plans.

You may carry up to 25 clients and coordinate discharge planning with supervisors. Requirements include a Bachelor's Degree in a helping profession, some counseling experience, and eligibility for state certifications/licensing within 24 months.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in a helping profession from an accredited college or university.
• Some counseling experience, preferred in substance use disorder or mental health treatment.
• Must obtain state-identified certification within 24 months; acceptable certifications include GACA/NAADAC/ICRC/CCS; licensures include LPC/LCSW/LMFT/LAPC.

Responsibilities

• Conduct client interviews and assessments for substance use history and treatment.
• Evaluate response to treatment and adjust plans; manage caseload and goals.
• Provide didactic group counseling, psychoeducation, and family education for peer support.

Skills

Counseling experience

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's Degree in a helping profession

Certification/licensure options (GACA/NAADAC/ICRC/CCS; LPC/LCSW/LMFT)

Job description

Substance Use Counselor

Post Date: Sep 2, 2026

Location: Valdosta, GA, US, 31602

Position Type: Full Time

Requisition Number: 34352

Work Schedule: Monday - Thursday; 10 hour shifts

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: Valdosta State Prison 3259 Val Tech Rd Valdosta, GA 31603

Work Schedule: Monday through Thursday, 6:45 AM - 5:15 PM (10-hour shifts)

Substance Use Counselors are responsible for:

• Conducts client interviews and assessments 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 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.
• Carries case load up to 25 clients, per State and contract requirements.
• Collaborates with clients to develop discharge summary and continuing care and relapse prevention 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 office administrative duties, such as answering telephones; relaying messages; responding to inquiries regarding program services and policies; filing, photocopying and faxing documents; planning special events, assembling intake packets, etc.

Job Requirements:

• Must have a minimum of a Bachelor's Degree in a helping profession from an accredited college or university.
• Some previous counseling experience, experience in substance use disorder or mental health treatmentis preferred
• Must obtain certification as identified by state within 24 months of the first date that the counseling services are provided. Acceptable Certifications include Certified Addiction Counselor from the Georgia Addiction Counselor's Association (GACA), Certified Addiction Counselor from the National Association of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors (NAADAC), Certified Drug and Alcohol Counselor from the International Certification and Reciprocity Consortium (ICRC), and Certification as a Certified Clinical Supervisor (CCS). Acceptable Licensures include Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Licensed Associate Professional Counselor (LAPC), Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), and Certified Professional Counselor Supervisor (CPCS).
• Must be able to obtain Georgia Department of Corrections clearance to work in the correctional institution

Physical Requirements:

• Works in a correctional facility
• 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 use a keyboard and video display terminal to receive, retrieve, and/or audit information and data
• Ability to record, proofread and check documents and files for accuracy
• Ability to respond to telephones, and to hear and detect alarms and unusual noises

Compensation:

• Non-Credentialed Counselors range is between $19.00 - $20.00 per hour
• Certified Counselors range is between $23.00 - $25.00 per hour
• Starting rates are determined based on years of experience, qualifications, and relevant skills.
• Alpharus Health conducts annual performance reviews, with merit increase eligbility 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

Equal Opportunity Employer

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

Valdosta