Substance Use Specialist

Start Corporation; New Orleans (LA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Disability insurance

Life insurance

Paid time off

13 paid holidays per year

403(b) retirement plan

Job summary

Start Corporation in New Orleans is seeking a Substance Use Specialist to support individuals on their recovery journey. This role focuses on counseling, case management, and coordinating community resources.

The position requires a degree in a social services field and experience with substance use populations. Candidates must be 18+, hold a valid driver’s license, and meet background requirements for Medicaid billing.

Qualifications

• Bachelor or Master’s Degree in social services field (preferred).
• Minimum of one year of specialized training or supervision experience in populations with substance use (required).
• Be over 18 years of age (required).
• Possess a valid driver’s license (required).
• No restrictions or adverse actions that would disqualify for Medicaid or other billing (required).

Responsibilities

• Assists clients in identifying strengths, needs, and realistic goals to develop a treatment plan addressing behavioral health and co-occurring disorders.
• Identifies risk and responds appropriately.
• Teaches daily living skills, social skills, and household management.
• Provides counseling, support, and referrals as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Maintains professionalism conducive to recovery and overall wellness.
• Arranges services from community resources based on individualized treatment plans.
• Sets treatment plan goals within 30 days of admission and updates every 3 months.
• Conducts group sessions and treatment per ACT Fidelity Manual with supervision.
• Performs case maintenance: narratives, reports, and summaries.
• Collaborates with facility staff; conducts data analysis to identify needs for services.
• Maintains clear driving record to transport clients.
• Performs other duties as assigned by Program Director.

Skills

Empathy & active listening

Professional relationships

Behavioral health knowledge

Boundaries & ethics

Resource referral skills

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s in social services

Job description

About Start Corporation

Start Corporation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded in 1984. Our Mission is to promote opportunities, which enhance the self-sufficiency of people to empower them to live and function independently.

Job Description

Our New Orleans ACT team is looking to hire a Substance Use Specialist.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor or Master’s Degree in social services field (preferred)
• Minimum of one year of specialized training or supervision experience in populations with substance use (required)
• Be over 18 years of age (required)
• Possess a valid driver’s license (required)
• No restrictions or adverse actions that would disqualify for Medicaid or other billing (required)

Core Competencies

• Communicates respectfully and effectively and establishes professional relationships through active listening and demonstration of empathy and positive regard.
• Promotes recovery, independence, and personal choice for participants.
• Demonstrates knowledge of behavioral health symptoms, interventions, and impact.
• Maintains professional boundaries and operates within agency / ethical guidelines.
• Knowledge of agency and community resources and referral processes.

Job Duties / Skills Required

• Assists clients in identifying strengths, needs, and realistic goals to develop a treatment plan to address behavioral health and co-occurring disorders.
• Accurately identifies risk and responds appropriately.
• Effectively teaches daily living skills, social skills, and household management skills.
• Participates as part of a multidisciplinary team providing substance abuse counseling, support, and resources for referrals when appropriate.
• Conducts in a manner of professionalism that is conducive to recovery from mental illness, co-occurring disorders and overall wellness.
• Provides supportive services for clients and arranges for the provision of services from community resources based on individualized treatment plans.
• Participates in setting treatment plan goals/objectives with clients within 30 days of admission and updated every 3 months.
• Conducts co-occurring groups and treatment as outlined in the ACT Fidelity Manual with supervision of Team Lead and other licensed professional staff.
• Performs regular case maintenance activities including documenting actions, making narrative entries, preparing necessary reports and/or social summaries, etc.
• Consults with facility personnel and administrative field personnel; collects and analyzes data to identify needs for the assigned special services program within the particular service area.
• Maintains a clear driving record in order to be able to drive company vehicles to provide transportation to clients.
• Performs any other duties as assigned by the Program Director.

Benefits include: Medical, dental, and vision insurance; disability and life insurance; paid time off; 13 paid holidays per year for regular full-time employees; and a 403(b) retirement plan with employer matching.