Substance Use Disorder Counselor

Ellen O; Pennsylvania; On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, Dental, & Vision Insurance

Free Life Insurance

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Family Benefits

Paid Time Off (PTO)

11 Paid Holidays

Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)

403(b) Retirement Plan

Job summary

The Ellen O'Brien Gaiser Center is a nonprofit addiction treatment provider in Pennsylvania, delivering inpatient and outpatient services since 1971. This role focuses on counseling, case management, and evidence-based treatment within PA licensure guidelines and organizational policies.

As a Substance Use Disorder Counselor, you will conduct confidential counseling, develop treatment plans, coordinate with providers, and support clients toward healthy, addiction-free lifestyles.

Qualifications

• Master's in chemical dependency, psychology, or related field with practicum in health/human services.
• Bachelor's in chemical dependency, psychology, or related field with at least 1 year supervised clinical experience.
• CAC, CCDP, or CCJP PA certification preferred.
• Associate degree with two years of clinical experience in a drug/alcohol setting.

Responsibilities

• Assess and evaluate drug and alcohol needs per ASAM, DSM V; follow PA laws.
• Write intake notes, treatment plans, updates, referrals, aftercare, and discharge summaries.
• Develop meaningful, comprehensive treatment plans and monitor progress.
• Conduct intake interviews and utilization review with insurers; manage ASAM authorizations.
• Facilitate process groups, didactic groups, and individual/family counseling sessions.
• Maintain client records within required time frames.
• Present case summaries at staff meetings and elicit input from others.
• Coordinate with healthcare providers and community resources to ensure continuum of care.
• Provide crisis interventions.
• Maintain confidentiality and ethical standards.
• Maintain 25 CEU's per fiscal year.

Skills

Substance use disorders

Crisis intervention

Treatment facilities knowledge

Organizational skills

Multitasking

Ethical standards

PA licensure knowledge

Education

Master's degree in chemical dependency/psychology/social work

Bachelor's degree in chemical dependency/psychology/social work

Associate degree with clinical experience

Job description

Position: Substance Use Disorder Counselor

Reports To: Clinical Director

Department: Inpatient

FLSA: Salary - Exempt

Join a Mission-Driven Organization That Makes a Difference!

The Ellen O'Brien Gaiser Addiction Center is a nonprofit addiction treatment organization that has been serving individuals and families affected by substance use disorders since 1971. As the region's longest-running addiction treatment program and a Pennsylvania Center of Excellence for opioid use disorder treatment, Gaiser Center provides compassionate, evidence-based care through inpatient and outpatient services. Our holistic, trauma-informed approach addresses the physical, emotional, mental, and social aspects of recovery while supporting clients and their families throughout the healing process

Position Summary/Objective:

This is a professional counseling and case management position in the drug and alcohol field. All work is performed within State of PA licensure guidelines and in accordance with Gaiser Center established policies and procedures.

Working as a substance use disorder counselor requires patience, dedication, and a desire to help people in crisis. This position provides client's confidential counseling and support, with the goal of encouraging a healthy, addiction-free lifestyle.

Organization Responsibilities:

• Comply with Federal confidentiality rule (42 CFR Part 2). The Federal rule prohibits you from making any disclosure of confidential information unless further disclosure is expressly permitted by the written consent of the person to whom it pertains or as otherwise permitted by 42 CFR Part 2. Comply with all State confidentiality laws.
• Ensure compliance with policies and procedures.
• Attend and participate in staff meetings, conferences, staff development trainings, etc.
• Promote and follow safe working practices and take necessary steps to prevent injuries.

Position Responsibilities:

• Must be able to assess and professionally evaluate the drug and alcohol needs of individuals following the guidelines of ASAM, DSM V; knowledge of PA Act 106 and other Drug & Alcohol statutes and laws.
• Provides all required client charting for assigned caseload; writing intake notes, treatment plans, treatment plan updates, referral notes, aftercare plans and discharge summaries, etc.
• Must be able to develop meaningful, comprehensive and individualized treatment plans using client input and monitor progress and measure results.
• Conducts intake interviews with clients and performs utilization review with insurance carriers/funding sources. Responsible for all admit, continued stay and discharge ASAM authorizations.
• Facilitates process groups, didactic groups, and conducts individual and family counseling/therapy sessions following evidence-based treatment modalities. Researches/prepares relevant materials for sessions.
• Manages client records by having all required and appropriate documentation; documentation must be completed within required time frames.
• Present summaries of cases at staff meetings and elicits input from other counselors, and supervisors.
• Coordinate with other healthcare providers, agencies, and community resources to ensure continuum of care.
• Provides crisis interventions.
• Ability to empathize with clients.
• Counselor will be required to maintain 25 CEU's per fiscal year.

Qualifications:

• Knowledge of substance use disorder practices, subculture and treatment methods.
• Knowledge of crises intervention methods; individual, family, group and marital counseling techniques. Motivational interviewing techniques as well as other theories of substance use disorder treatment.
• Knowledge of treatment facilities and human services agencies that provide substance use disorder services and associated behavioural health service needs.
• Excellent organizational skills including the ability to plan and organize.
• Must have the ability to multi-task and work in a high stress environment.
• Must abide by professional ethical standards. Must conform behaviour to the highest standards of ethical practice.
• Candidate must meet Commonwealth of PA Department of Health Division of Drug and Alcohol Licensure staffing qualifications for position of counselor:

Master's Degree with a major in chemical dependency, psychology, social work or other human services related field which includes a practicum in a health or human services agency, preferably in a drug and alcohol setting; or a Bachelor's Degree with a major in chemical Dependency, psychology, social work or other human services Related field and at least 1 year of documented and supervised clinical experience working with chemically dependent. CAC, CCDP or CCJP PA state certification preferred; or Associate Degree from an accredited college with a major in chemical dependency, psychology or related field and two years of clinical experience in a drug and alcohol setting.

Profile/Other Competencies:

• Satisfactory criminal background check and pre-employment drug testing.
• Have a valid PA driver's license in good standing preferred.

Working Conditions:

Office conditions represent the primary working environment. Requires sitting and standing associated with a normal office environment. Manual dexterity needed for using a computer keyboard. This description is intended to provide only basic guidelines for meeting job requirements. Responsibilities, skills and working conditions may change as needs evolve. Extended hours may be required to meet the needs of the clients.

NOTE:

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned this job. They are not exhaustive lists of all duties, responsibilities, knowledge, skills, abilities and working conditions associated with the job. Additional functions may be required to meet organization objectives.

We Offer Great Benefits!

• Health, Dental, & Vision Insurance
• FREE Life Insurance
• FREE Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Family Benefits Available
• Generous Paid Time Off (PTO)
• 11 Paid Holidays
• Eligible for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) through our nonprofit status

Supplemental Benefits:

• Short Term Disability
• Accident Insurance
• Critical Care Insurance
• Cancer Protection Assurance

Retirement Benefits:

• 403(b) Retirement Plan

Your Growth Matters

We are committed to supporting our employees through ongoing training and professional development opportunities. To help you grow in your career, we offer tuition reimbursement and cover the cost of approved professional trainings.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The Ellen O'Brien Gaiser Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to creating an inclusive workplace.

*Employment is contingent upon successful completion of required pre-employment screenings, which may include criminal background checks, drug testing, and qualifications, as applicable to the position and in accordance with applicable laws.