Substance Use Specialist - ACT

Access, Inc.; Valley Cottage (NY); On-site; USD 39,000 - 43,000; Full time

Job summary

Access, Inc. is seeking a Substance Use Specialist for our ACT team in New York. The role focuses on counseling, education, and support for individuals with co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders.

A caseload is maintained with flexible, community-based services using harm reduction and recovery-oriented approaches. Primary duties include intake, assessments, treatment planning, and collaboration with an interdisciplinary team to promote recovery and life goals.

Qualifications

• Current CASAC or CASAC-T credential required.
• Ability to work independently while part of an interdisciplinary team.
• Strong boundary-setting, crisis management, and organizational skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication abilities.
• Knowledge of co-occurring disorders and recovery supports.
• Experience with electronic health record documentation.

Responsibilities

• Maintain a caseload of 12-15 participants; provide case management.
• Conduct intake interviews and assess treatment suitability.
• Complete assessments and treatment plans within required timeframes.
• Provide individual, group, and family counseling per treatment plan.
• Coordinate care with interdisciplinary team and community partners.
• Deliver psychoeducation on substance use and coping strategies.
• Document progress notes, discharge summaries per policy and laws.
• Attend interdisciplinary team meetings and make referrals as needed.
• Participate in on-call rotation and crisis intervention.

Skills

Boundary setting

Crisis management

Communication

Writing

Organizational skills

Team collaboration

Knowledge of co-occurring disorders

Education

Bachelor’s degree or Associate degree with experience

CASAC or CASAC-T credential

Tools

Electronic health record systems

Communication tools (email, Teams, Zoom)

Job description

Posted Friday, August 14, 2026 at 4:00 AM

Do Work That Matters. In a Culture That Means It.

Be part of a team that values connection, accountability, and real impact.

Why Access?

Because how we work matters just as much as what we do. At Access, our Culture Playbook isn't a poster on the wall - it's how we show up for each other and for the people we support.

You’ll be part of a team that is:

• Clear about expectations
• Supportive and accountable
• Focused on outcomes that matter to people.

And committed to helping people live the healthiest and fullest lives possible - while making sure out staff can do the same.

Substance Use Specialist - ACT

Hours: 8:30am-5pm

Pay: $28.50 CASAC-T and $30.50 CASAC

Overview of Primary Responsibilities

We are seeking aSubstance Use Specialist to join our ACT Team. This role provides substance use counseling, education, and support to individuals with co-occurring mental health and substance use challenges.

The Substance Use Specialist will maintain a caseload, provide individual and group counseling, participate in treatment planning, and coordinate care with the interdisciplinary team and community partners. Using a harm reduction, trauma-informed, and recovery-oriented approach, the Specialist supports participants in achieving their recovery and life goals through flexible, community-based services.

PRIMARY FUNCTIONS:

• Maintain a caseload of 12-15 participants and provide case management services. This can fluctuate based on staffing and other team needs.
• Perform intake interviews and evaluate appropriateness for treatment.
• Complete bio-psycho-social assessments and treatment plans, and other required reporting (e.g. AOT, CAIRS) within required timeframes.
• Establish collaborative, supportive relationships with participants to promote engagement in recovery and work toward life-goals.
• Utilize trauma-informed and evidence-based approaches to provide individual, group, and family counseling as indicated by treatment plan.
• Provide psychoeducation around substance use, co-occurring disorders, recovery, and relapse prevention strategies.
• Complete timely and accurate progress notes for all participant and collateral contacts in compliance with all relevant regulations, laws, and agency policies and protocols.
• Complete discharge summaries and documentation in accordance with agency policy and regulatory standards.
• Attend and actively participate in interdisciplinary team meetings.
• Make appropriate referrals to outside providers and community resources as needed.
• Provide crisis intervention and support during emergencies. Participate in on-call rotation.

ADDITIONAL FUNCTIONAL / ORGANIZATIONAL SUPPORT:

• Stay current on agency and clinic policies, as well as State and Federal requirements related to substance use services.
• Participate in individual and group supervision as scheduled.
• Respect and support interdisciplinary team decisions regarding patient care.
• Participate in staff training and professional development activities.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS AND ATTRIBUTES:

• Current CASAC or CASAC-T credential required.
• Ability to work independently while functioning as part of an interdisciplinary team.
• Strong skills in boundary-setting, limit-setting, and crisis management.
• Excellent communication, writing, and organizational skills.
• Knowledge of co-occurring disorders, evidence-based practices, and recovery supports.
• Ability to use electronic health record systems for documentation and other electronic systems for communication (e.g. email, Teams, Zoom, etc.)

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelors degree or Associates degree with experience.
• CASAC or CASAC-T credential required.
• Prior experience providing substance use counseling preferred, ideally in community-based or mental health settings.
• Valid NYS driver's license required.
• Bilingual Spanish, Haitian Creole, or Yiddish speaking a plus.

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS:

These physical demands are representative of the physical requirements necessary for an employee to perform the job's essential functions successfully.

• Must be able to move throughout the workday and accompany individuals served in the community.
• Ability to sit or stand for long periods while using a computer.
• Able to work in an open-space office setting in close proximity to co-workers (within 3 feet).
• Must be able to move in tight spaces as needed.
• Occasional lifting of more than 5 lbs. (e.g., carrying backpack with laptop and materials).
• Must be capable to move throughout work day

An Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability and Veterans