Substance Use Counselor – Community Support Team (CST)

Arbor Care Solutions LLC; Winston-Salem (NC); Hybrid; USD 28,000 - 39,000; Full time

Job summary

Arbor Care Solutions LLC is seeking a Substance Use Counselor for the Community Support Team in Winston-Salem, NC. The role delivers counseling, recovery support, and care coordination to adults with substance use disorders, within credentialed scope and supervision requirements.

The CST comprises a small team and serves ~24 clients. Local travel to homes and community settings is required; remote administrative work is allowed with approval. Scheduling includes evenings, weekends, and holidays.

Qualifications

• Hold active NC credential: LCAS, LCAS-A, CADC or CCS.
• Meet CST staffing and supervision requirements.
• At least one year of direct experience serving adults with SUD.
• Possess a valid NC driver’s license and reliable transportation.
• Demonstrate engagement, communication, documentation, and organizational skills.
• Be able to provide face-to-face services in homes and community settings.
• Available for crisis coverage including evenings, weekends and holidays.

Responsibilities

• Provide substance use counseling within authorized scope and supervision.
• Assist clients in identifying triggers, coping skills, motivation for change, and relapse prevention.
• Provide education on substance use, harm reduction, wellness, and engagement in treatment.
• Develop, implement and review goals in Person-Centered Plans with CST Team Lead.
• Connect clients with treatment, providers, peer supports, and community resources.
• Coordinate services with CST staff, healthcare providers, and client supports.
• Complete timely, accurate service documentation per Medicaid and agency requirements.
• Participate in assigned crisis response and rotating on-call coverage.
• Attend team meetings, supervision, required training, and case reviews.

Skills

Valid NC driver's license

Reliable transportation

Face-to-face services

Communication skills

Documentation skills

Organizational skills

Evenings/weekends/holidays coverage

Education

Licensed Clinical Addiction Specialist (LCAS)

Licensed Clinical Addiction Specialist Associate (LCAS-A)

Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC)

Certified Clinical Supervisor (CCS)

Job description

JOB DESCRIPTION

Position: Substance Use Counselor – Community Support Team (CST)
Department: Clinical
Reports to: Licensed Clinical Team Lead
Employment type: Full-time, hourly
Location: Winston-Salem, North Carolina; community-based with approved remote administrative work
Weekly work target: 36 hours

POSITION PURPOSE

Provide substance use counseling, rehabilitation, recovery support, and care coordination to adults with substance use disorders and co-occurring mental health conditions. Services are delivered as part of CST and must remain within the employee’s credential, authorized scope of practice, training, and applicable supervision requirements.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIP AND TEAM ASSIGNMENT

The position reports to the Licensed Clinical Team Lead and works with two Qualified Professionals (QPs). The four-person team consists of one Licensed Clinical Team Lead, one Substance Use Counselor, and two QPs.

The team collectively serves approximately 24 clients. The caseload is shared across the team and is not an individual assignment of 24 clients to the counselor. Client contacts and responsibilities are coordinated according to client needs, clinical priorities, and staff qualifications. Caseload size may vary with program needs.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide substance use counseling and recovery interventions within authorized scope of practice and supervision requirements.
• Assist clients in identifying triggers, developing coping skills, strengthening motivation for change, and implementing relapse prevention strategies.
• Provide education regarding substance use, harm reduction, wellness, and treatment engagement.
• Participate in developing, implementing, and reviewing substance use recovery goals in Person-Centered Plans (PCPs), in coordination with clients and the CST Team Lead.
• Connect clients with addiction treatment, medication treatment providers, peer recovery supports, and other community resources.
• Coordinate services with CST staff, healthcare providers, and client supports as appropriate.
• Complete timely, accurate service documentation, including client responses and progress, in accordance with applicable Medicaid, confidentiality, and agency requirements.
• Participate in assigned crisis response and rotating on-call coverage, including de-escalation, safety planning, and appropriate clinical escalation.
• Attend team meetings, supervision, required training, and case review activities.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Hold at least one active North Carolina credential: Licensed Clinical Addiction Specialist (LCAS), Licensed Clinical Addiction Specialist Associate (LCAS-A), Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC), or Certified Clinical Supervisor (CCS).
• Meet applicable CST staffing and supervision requirements.
• Have at least one year of direct experience serving adults with substance use disorders.
• Possess a valid North Carolina driver’s license and reliable transportation for community travel.
• Demonstrate engagement, communication, documentation, and organizational skills.
• Be able to provide face-to-face services in homes and other community settings.
• Be available for assigned crisis coverage, including evenings, weekends, and holidays.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience in CST or other community-based behavioral health services.
• Experience serving adults with co-occurring mental health and substance use needs.
• Familiarity with PCPs, electronic health records, and Medicaid documentation requirements.
• Training in Motivational Interviewing, harm reduction, trauma-informed care, or other relevant recovery interventions.

WORK SCHEDULE AND CONDITIONS

The weekly work target is 36 hours. Scheduling is based on client needs and CST operational requirements, including assigned on-call coverage. The target does not guarantee a fixed schedule or availability of hours.

Regular local travel throughout Winston-Salem and approved surrounding service areas is required. Services are provided in clients’ homes and other community settings. Remote administrative work requires approval and is subject to client and program needs.

CST operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, throughout the year. This position participates in rotating crisis response coverage, including assigned evenings, weekends, and holidays.

ONBOARDING AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

The employee participates in structured onboarding, required training, supervision, and professional development. Work is performed within the CST multidisciplinary supervision and support structure.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

Arbor Care Solutions is an equal opportunity employer and considers qualified applicants without regard to legally protected characteristics.