Substance Use Counselor

Gateway Foundation; Bushnell (FL); On-site; USD 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision insurance

PTO – 18 days per year

9 paid holidays

403(b) retirement plan with employer 3

Job summary

Gateway Foundation is seeking a Substance Abuse Counselor to conduct client interviews, evaluate treatment responses, and support individualized treatment plans. The role involves group and individual counseling, coordination of discharge plans, and ensuring regulatory compliance.

Under supervision, you will manage caseloads, assist with aftercare, and maintain required documentation while supporting relapse prevention and recovery in a Florida setting.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in a helping profession from an accredited college or university.
• Experience in substance use treatment or mental health counseling preferred.
• Licensure preferred (CAP/MCAP, LMHC, LCSW, or LMFT).
• Must be able to obtain Florida Department of Corrections clearance.

Responsibilities

• Conduct client interviews to review substance use disorder and treatment history.
• Evaluate client response to treatment and assist with individualized treatment plans and goals.
• Provide didactic group counseling, psychoeducation, and family education.
• Provide individual counseling and relapse-prevention work.
• Carry caseload under supervision per state and contract requirements.
• Coordinate discharge summaries and aftercare plans with supervisor approval.
• Coordinate required services to resolve emergency problems in crisis situations.
• Collect and maintain treatment records to ensure compliance.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Active listening

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Adaptability

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Substance Abuse Counselor Responsibilities

• Conduct client interviews to review substance use disorder and treatment history.
• Evaluate client response to treatment, recommend modifications to the treatment plan, and assist with caseloads and development of individualized treatment plans and preparing individually appropriate goals, interventions, and necessary support.
• Assist with and provide basic didactic group counseling, including psychoeducation, drug education, and family education to ensure peer support occurs.
• Provide 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.
• Under direct supervision and with supervisor’s approval, carry case load per State and contract requirements.
• Collaborate with clients to develop discharge summaries and plans for supervisor’s approval to integrate aftercare treatment with referral resource services.
• Coordinate required services to resolve emergency problems in crisis situations in support of continued recovery.
• Collect and maintain treatment records and reports to ensure organizational, regulatory, accreditation, and contractual compliance.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Job Requirements

• Minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree in a helping profession from an accredited college or university.
• Some previous experience in substance use treatment/counseling and/or mental health counseling is preferred.
• Current Certified Addictions Professional (CAP) or Master’s Certified Addictions Counselor (MCAP), Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC), Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), or Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) preferred.
• Must be able to obtain Florida Department of Corrections clearance to work in the correctional institution.
• Basic knowledge of the principles of human growth and psychosocial development.
• Basic knowledge of group and individual dynamics, conflict resolution, and intervention techniques based on client maturation level.
• Basic understanding of mental health disorders requiring referrals.
• Basic communication skills to exchange information and interact with various internal and external audiences regarding client care.
• Active listening skills and social perceptiveness.
• Ability to read and interpret policies and instructions.
• Ability to understand side effects and impact of medications on client.
• Adaptability / flexibility: ability to shift priorities.

Physical Requirements

• 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 record, proofread, and check documents and files for accuracy, to prepare and analyze data and figures, transcribe, read.
• Ability to use a keyboard and video display terminal to receive, retrieve, and/or audit information and data.
• Ability to respond to telephones, and to hear and detect alarms and unusual noises.

Benefits

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 Gateway.
• 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.

Gateway Foundation 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.