Substance Use Specialist

Vibrant Emotional Health; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 56,000 - 61,000; Full time

Job summary

Vibrant Emotional Health seeks a Substance Use Specialist for the Older Adult ACT program. You will deliver integrated dual disorder treatment to seniors, coordinate assessments, and align care with a recovery-focused approach.

The role requires building trust in home and community settings, supporting meaningful goals, and collaborating with clinical, medical, housing, and benefits teams to maximize independence and quality of life.

Qualifications

• Graduate-level degree in mental health services (MSW, MHC, or related) required.
• 1–2 years of experience with individuals diagnosed with serious mental illness and co‑occurring substance use disorders.
• CASAC certification preferred; NYSED license is optional.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct services and/or facilitate access to community support services within an interdisciplinary team.
• Manage caseload of up to 15 seniors with serious mental illness and coordinate care, rehabilitation, and wrap-around supports.
• Conduct screenings, intakes, and bio-psychosocial assessments; assist in developing ISPs.

Skills

Motivational Interviewing

CBT

DBT

Organizational skills

Communication skills

Computer literacy

Bilingual/bicultural

Education

Graduate-level degree in Mental Health Services

CASAC certification preferred

Job description

Position Title: Substance Use Specialist

Department: Older Adult ACT

Reports to:ACT Team Leader

Location: Hybrid-Flexed

Travel: 75-100% Travel within NYC boroughs and neighboring counties as appropriate

Pay Range: $40.88-44.07

Vibrant Emotional Health's groundbreaking solutions have delivered high quality services and support, when, where and how people need it for over 50 years. Through our state-of-the-art technology-enabled services, community wellness programs, and advocacy and education work, we are building a society in which emotional wellness can be a reality for everyone.

Position Overview:

Under the direction of the ACT Team Leader and Designee, the Substance Use Specialist will be responsible for providing services to older adults with serious mental illness as part of an ACT team. This role focuses on ensuring consumer success in community living and psychiatric stabilization by providing Integrated Dual Disorder Treatment (IDDT) to consumers with dual mental health and substance abuse issues.

The Substance Use Specialist provides and coordinates assessment, treatment, planning, and services for substance use based on the needs of the individual. Evidence-based approaches are a focus, with demonstrated knowledge in Motivational Interviewing and Harm-Reduction approaches.

Where You'll Make a Difference

In this role, you will help older adults remain connected to their communities while working toward greater stability, independence, and quality of life.

You will build trusting relationships with clients in their homes and neighborhoods, support them in identifying meaningful goals, and connect them with the clinical, medical, housing, benefits, and community resources they need. As a clinically trained member of the ACT team, you will bring focused expertise in co-occurring disorders and help shape individualized, recovery-oriented care.

Duties/Responsibilities:

• Provide direct services and/or facilitate access to community support services (medical, mental health, substance abuse, social/recreational services, housing, entitlements) within an interdisciplinary team
• Manage caseload of up to 15 seniors with serious mental illness, ensuring comprehensive coordination of care, rehabilitation and wrap-around support to enhance independence, community connection, and goal achievement
• Conduct screenings, intakes, and bio-psychosocial assessments; assist in developing Individualized Service Plans (ISPs).
• Provides and coordinates assessment, treatment, planning, and services for substance use based on the needs of the consumer.
• Maintain accurate charting and documentation as per requirements.
• Provide crisis intervention, including emergency hospital admission support.
• Actively participate in program activities and team meetings, including daily clinical meetings.
• Be able to work flexible hours, including evenings/weekends as needed.
• Rotate coverage of the ACT Emergency Phone with other members of the team, which will include 24/7 coverage of possible outreach from clients or treatment providers.

Required Skills/ Abilities:

• Demonstrated training and/or experience in delivering evidence-based practices, such as Motivational Interviewing, CBT, DBT.
• Strong organizational and communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Proficient in computer literacy.
• Multitasking efficiently on a regular basis.
• Manages their own task list with minimal supervision.
• Bilingual/bicultural preferred.

Required Qualifications

• Graduate-level degree with a focus in Mental Health Services required (MSW, MHC, or related degree; professional license by NYSED preferred, but not required)
• CASAC certification preferred
• 1-2 years of experience with individuals diagnosed with serious mental illness and co-occurring substance use disorders.

Physical Requirements

• This position requires robust physical activity, coordination and stamina.
• Comfort in commuting with public transportation, constant exposure to outdoor conditions.
• Comfortable meeting with consumers inside their homes.

We determine base pay through a comprehensive review of skills, experience, education, certifications, geographic location, and other relevant factors. The range listed reflects the compensation parameters for the role and does not represent the full compensation package. A complete overview of compensation and benefits will be provided by the Talent Acquisition team during the hiring process.

Full time employees will be eligible for excellent comprehensive benefits, including medical, dental, vision, supplemental income insurance, employer paid disability insurance, employer paid life insurance, pre-tax FSA for medical and dependent care, and 401K available.

Vibrant Emotional Health is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants are considered for positions without regard to veteran status, uniformed service member status, race, creed, color, religion, gender, gender identity, sex, sexual orientation, citizenship status, national origin, marital status, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, caregiver status or any other category protected by applicable federal, state or local laws.