Substance Use Counselor III

Acadia Healthcare; Burns (TN); On-site; USD 48,000 - 72,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Sign-on bonus

Job summary

Mirror Lake Recovery Center in Tennessee seeks a seasoned Substance Use Counselor III to provide advanced clinical services, including assessments, treatment planning, individual and group counseling, and crisis support, with leadership responsibilities mentoring junior staff.

You will collaborate with the clinical team in a patient-centered environment, ensuring documentation and adherence to ASAM criteria, trauma-informed care, and co-occurring disorders.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher in Counseling, Social Work, Psychology, or related field.
• Licensure or certification preferred (LADAC II, CADC, LPC, LCSW, or equivalent).
• Minimum 3 years of experience in substance use treatment or behavioral health.
• Strong understanding of ASAM criteria, trauma-informed care, and co-occurring disorders.
• Excellent communication, documentation, and crisis-management skills.

Responsibilities

• Conduct individual, group, or family counseling sessions as scheduled and document as required.
• Facilitate group or family sessions and assist with modifying problem behaviors.
• Perform initial assessments and follow-up assessments.
• Prepare individual treatment plans for assigned patients.
• Coordinate referrals to other programs or facilities when needed.
• Maintain timely, clear documentation of patient care and incidents.

Skills

Counseling skills

Crisis intervention

Documentation

Team leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher in Counseling/Social Work/Psychology

Licensure/certification preferred (LADAC II/CADC/LPC/LCSW)

Job description

Overview

$5,000 Sign On Bonus!

Work Schedule:Tue – Sat or Sun – Thurs – (one weekend day per week)

Mirror Lake Recovery Center is seeking a dedicated and experienced Substance Use Counselor III to join our clinical team. This senior‑level role is ideal for a professional who is passionate about supporting individuals on their recovery journey and thrives in a collaborative, patient‑centered environment.

Position Summary

The Substance Use Counselor III provides advanced clinical services, including assessments, treatment planning, individual and group counseling, and crisis support. This role also offers leadership within the counseling team by mentoring junior staff and contributing to program development.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Counseling, Social Work, Psychology, or a related field
• Relevant licensure or certification preferred (e.g., LADAC II, CADC, LPC, LCSW, or equivalent)
• Minimum 3 years of experience in substance use treatment or behavioral health
• Strong understanding of ASAM criteria, trauma‑informed care, and co‑occurring disorders
• Excellent communication, documentation, and crisis‑management skills

About Mirror Lake Recovery Center

At Mirror Lake Recovery Center, we value the input of each person that we treat, and we believe that each person who chooses to heal with us has an inherent potential for change and personal growth. Our treatment approach will not be bound by past learning history, but will respond to both present and future expectations. We believe that the client has the ability to continually adapt to a changing environment that challenges the balance between disease and health.

Treatment is not something that we do to a person; instead, it is an active collaborative process. We always seek the input and participation of our clients, and endeavor to provide them with a variety of treatment options and methodologies that have been individually tailored to meet their specific strengths, needs, and treatment goals.

Responsibilities

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Conduct individual, group or family counseling sessions as scheduled and document as required.
• Facilitate assigned group or family sessions and assist with modifying problem behaviors.
• Responsible for initial assessments, as well as follow up assessment for patient.
• Prepare individual treatment plan for each assigned patient.
• Evaluate the needs of the patient and determine if referrals to other programs or facilities is needed.
• Ensure all documentation regarding patient care, treatment and incidents are completed timely and in a clear concise manner.
• Provide crisis intervention to patient as needed.
• Plan for aftercare for assigned patient.
• Act as a liaison with insurance carriers as requested.
• Provide case management duties for patient, ensuring individualized quality care.
• May assist in the training of new clinical staff and interns, providing direction and clinical guidance.
• Demonstrate a positive, empathetic and professional attitude towards customers always. When patient needs are not met, acknowledge and work to resolve complaints. Recognize that patient safety is a top priority.

OTHER FUNCTIONS:

• Perform other functions and tasks as assigned.

Qualifications

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE/SKILL REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor's degree in social or health services field required and four or more years’ experience in counseling field required OR; Bachelor's degree in other field required
• Six or more years’ experience in the counseling field required OR;
• Master's degree in social or health services field required and
• Two or more years’ experience in the counseling field. Degree must be from an accredited college or university.

LICENSES/DESIGNATIONS/CERTIFICATIONS:

• Licensure or certification for counseling, as required by the state in which the facility operates.
• CPR and de-escalation/restraint certification required (training available upon hire and offered by facility).
• First aid may be required based on state or facility.

ADDITIONAL REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS:

Completion of ongoing education and training, as required by the state in which the facility operates and applicable accrediting body.

While this job description is intended to be an accurate reflection of the requirements of the job, management reserves the right to add or remove duties from particular jobs when circumstances (e.g. emergencies, changes in workload, rush jobs or technological developments) dictate.

We are committed toprovidingequalemploymentopportunitiestoall applicantsforemploymentregardlessofanindividual’scharacteristicsprotected byapplicable state,federalandlocallaws.