Unpaid Internship for Substance Use Disorder Counselor

First Steps Recovery LLC.; Cameron Park (CA); Hybrid; Part time

Job summary

A substance abuse recovery organization in California is looking for a Drug and Alcohol Counselor Intern to provide individual and group counseling as part of a treatment team. This unpaid internship involves coordinating client care, developing educational groups, and supporting clients in their recovery journey. Candidates must hold relevant certifications and have prior experience in the field. The role also includes physical demands and potential exposure to blood and body fluids.

Qualifications

• Prior experience with substance abuse counseling required.
• Valid CPR/First Aid certification mandatory.
• Ability to pass pre-employment drug screenings.

Responsibilities

• Manage group counseling processes effectively.
• Provide support and encouragement to clients.
• Coordinate with therapists about client treatment goals.

Skills

Ability to manage group processes

Supportive attitude toward clients

Effective communication skills

Curriculum development

Education

Certification in substance abuse counseling

CPR/First Aid certification

Job description

POSITION SUMMARY

Drug and Alcohol Counselor Intern Interns are members of the treatment team and primary coordinator in the provision of individual, group, and supportive counseling services in accordance with the client's plan for treatment, to assure that the health and daily living needs of each client is met, and to promote the maintenance of the recovery during treatment. Please note this is an Unpaid Internship for Substance Use Disorder Counselors

REQUIREMENTS

Duties may include but are not limited to:

• Ability to maintain primary responsibility for managing the group process and ability to assist groups to be more effective.
• Preparing appropriate educational groups according to the needs of the clients.
• Responsible to provide support and encouragement to help clients socialize, interact and facilitate social activities during groups
• Provides practical help and mentoring, advocacy, coordination, problem solving and direct assistance to help clients
• Develop curriculum if needed
• Responsible to coordinate with therapists about their clients regarding their treatment goals.
• Supportive attitude toward clients.
• Keeps Program Director and Clinical Director informed of client care, problems and issues.
• Assumes responsibility for learning and professional development needs.
• Participates with clinical treatment team
• Available for staff meetings and/or training as scheduled.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENT

Prior experience with substance abuse/chemical dependency counseling. Must have certification in field of expertise or certified and/or licensed with CA certifying organization. Must have valid CPR/First Aid certification and annual TB test.

CERTIFICATES & LICENSES

• CPR/First AID
• Drug and Alcohol Counseling Credential or Internship Preferred

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

• Negative TB test results within past 6 months
• Medical Clearance to work within past 6 months
• Ability to pass pre‑employment and random drug screenings

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Frequently: Occupation requires this activity from 33% - 66% of the time (2.5 - 5.5+ hrs/day)

• Standing
• Walking
• Sitting
• Transverse Stairs
• Handling / Using Fingers

Occasionally: Occupation requires this activity up to 33% of the time (0 - 2.5+ hrs/day)

• Reach Outward
• Reach Above Shoulder
• Squat or Kneel
• Bend or Twist

Other Physical Demands:

• Ability to lift/carry 20-50 lbs, Ability to push/pull 20-50 lbs
• Moderate frequency of computer keyboarding,
• Moderate frequency of viewing a computer monitor
• Daily cleaning including but not limited to: wiping, sweeping, mopping, vacuuming, scrubbing, washing dishes
• Assisting in meal preparation, installing water containers for consumption, and shopping as necessary including pushing of carts and carrying grocery boxes/bags.
• Conducting garbage disposal, recycling, and collection.
• Occasional walks, hikes, and sports outings with clients for physical activities.
• Frequent support of clients in gym environment

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Work is performed during day and night shifts primarily in residential detox facility. This includes work in facility office as well as the grounds of the entire facility including upstairs resident rooms, clinical office, and laundry room that are accessed via staircase, and outdoor grounds. Technicians periodically drive clients in company vehicles for intakes/discharges at other treatment facilities and transportation hubs, to doctor appointments, to outings and recovery meetings. Work is often performed in emergency and stressful situations. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet in office settings and moderate in other situations.

BLOOD/FLUID EXPOSURE RISK

Some job tasks involve exposure to blood, body fluids and/or tissue. Staff must wear gloves and follow infectious control procedures when interacting with clients in conditions in which exposure is possible such as handling onsite urinary analysis, conducting first aid, and conducting search of client’s belonging and person. Staff may be exposed to infectious disease, needles, and illicit substances during searches