Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Specialist

El Hogar Community Services, Inc.; Sacramento (CA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Professional development

Job summary

El Hogar Community Services, Inc. seeks a Substance Use Disorder Specialist to join a multidisciplinary ICM/ACT/FACT team in Sacramento, CA.

This community-based role delivers integrated behavioral health and substance use treatment to adults with serious mental illness and co-occurring disorders, across home, shelters, and other community settings. You'll conduct screenings, assessments, counseling, motivational interviewing, and relapse prevention, collaborating with medical, housing,

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Psychology, Social Work, Counseling, Behavioral Health, Substance Use Disorder Counseling, or related field.
• Minimum of two years of direct service experience with individuals with mental health and co-occurring disorders.
• CA certification as a drug and alcohol counselor (NAADC, CAADC, RAS, CARR, or CAS); Highly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Screen and assess clients, develop treatment plans, and provide individual/group counseling.
• Deliver motivational interviewing and relapse-prevention services.
• Collaborate with medical, housing, employment, and community partners.
• Provide services in community settings and during transitions between levels of care.
• Maintain accurate, timely documentation in compliance with policies.

Skills

Substance use disorders

Co-occurring disorders

Evidence-informed interventions

Motivational interviewing

Relapse prevention

Harm reduction

Recovery-oriented care

Trauma-informed care

Crisis intervention

Community-based services

SUD treatment levels of care

Education

Bachelor's degree in Psychology, Social Work, Counseling, Behavioral Health, Substance Use Disorder Counseling, or related field

Job description

Position Summary:The Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Specialist is a core client of the multidisciplinary ICM, ACT, and FACT team responsible for providing integrated, community-based treatment to adults living with serious mental illness (SMI) and co-occurring substance use disorders. The SUD Specialist provides services across varying levels of care based on participant need, supporting individuals receiving Intensive Case Management (ICM), Assertive Community Treatment (ACT), and Forensic Assertive Community Treatment (FACT). Working within a recovery-oriented, trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and harm reduction framework, the SUD Specialist partners with individuals to reduce the impact of substance use, promote recovery, improve health outcomes, and increase community stability. Services are delivered primarily in community settings, including clients’ homes, shelters, hospitals, correctional facilities, treatment programs, and other locations where individuals live and receive services. As a client of the multidisciplinary team, the SUD Specialist collaborates closely with med providers, nurses, clinicians, service coordinators, peers, housing specialists, employment specialists, benefits specialists, and community partners to provide integrated behavioral health and substance use treatment. This position is community-based; services can be in the office or field based on client needs.Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.Screening and Assessmento Conduct SUD screenings, assessments, and treatment planning.o Provide individual and group counseling, psychoeducation, motivational interviewing, and relapse-prevention services within scope of practice.o Support clients in developing recovery goals and reducing substance-related risks.o Respond to behavioral health and substance use crises in the community.o Participate in crisis assessment, de-escalation, and safety planning.Multidisciplinary Teamo Active participation in regularly scheduled team meetings and case reviews.o Participate in treatment planning, crisis planning, discharge planning, and transition planning with the team and clients.o Assist with outreach and engagement of clients who are difficult to engage in traditional treatment.o Provide services consistent with the ACT/FACT model and program requirements.o Support continuity of care across behavioral health, medical, substance use, housing, employment, and other service systems.o Use data to identify trends, inform decision-making, and drive program improvements.Community- Based Serviceso Provide services in community settings based on client needs.o Conduct outreach and engagement activities.o Meet clients where they are and establish therapeutic relationships that promote trust and participation.o Assist clients with accessing community-based recovery and treatment resources.o Provide support during transitions between treatment settings.o Coordinate with residential, detoxification, outpatient, medication-assisted treatment, and other SUD providers.o Assist clients in overcoming barriers to accessing treatment and recovery services.Documentationo Maintain accurate and timely documentation of client assessments, progress notes, treatment plans, and other relevant records in compliance with regulatory and organizational requirements.o Ensure adherence to El Hogar and Sacramento County regulatory policies and procedures.Supervisory Responsibilities: N/AQualifications:To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.Education and/or Experience:Minimum Qualifications (Required)• Bachelor's degree in Psychology, Social Work, Counseling, Behavioral Health, Substance Use Disorder Counseling, or a related field (Required)• Minimum of two (2) years of direct service experience working with individuals with mental health and co-occurring disorders.• Demonstrated experience balancing direct service responsibilities, documentation requirements, regulatory compliance, and productivity expectations while maintaining quality of care• Experience in substance use services, vocational rehabilitation, or behavioral health workforce development.• CA certification as a drug and alcohol counselor (NAADC, CAADC, RAS, CARR, or CAS); (Highly preferred)Knowledge, Skills & Abilities• Substance use disorders and co-occurring disorders.• Evidence-informed SUD interventions.• Motivational interviewing.• Relapse prevention.• Harm reduction.• Recovery-oriented care.• Trauma-informed care.• Crisis intervention.• Community-based behavioral health services.• SUD treatment levels of care.• Community resources and referral systems.• Confidentiality and behavioral health documentation requirements.• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and culturally responsive service delivery.