Counselor

Full-time Pinnacle’s Voice: A Tale of Transformation & Recovery About Us Pinnacle Treatment Centers is a leading provider of comprehensive addiction treatment services, committed to transforming lives through compassionate care. Our approach is rooted in evidence-based practices, focusing on the holistic well‑being of our patients, and treating our teammates with the same level of individualized compassion and empathy. We believe in providing a supportive and inclusive environment for both our patients and our dedicated team of professionals. Pinnacle transforms the lives of more than 35,000 individuals daily resulting in a network of care spanning across the country. Position Overview As a Counselor, you will play a crucial role in the recovery journey of our patients. Pinnacle’s unique approach combines compassionate care with innovative treatment methods to address the diverse needs of individuals seeking help for substance use disorders. Join us in making a positive impact on the lives of those we serve. Teammate Appreciation Benefits Variable Pay Structure: Competitive compensation based on experience, education, and licensure. Defined Career Pathing: Clear advancement opportunities through our Counselor Tier Program, designed to reward achievement in education, licensure, and credentials. Bonus Incentives: Recognizing and rewarding quality patient care with monthly performance‑based bonuses. STAR LRP Eligibility: 90% of our facilities are eligible for the Student Loan Repayment Program. This federal program selects applicants to forgive 100% of their student loans. Continuing Education: Free access to over 600 CEU courses to enhance your skills and knowledge. Paid Time Off: 18 days of PTO, sick leave, and 8 paid holidays to maintain a healthy work‑life balance. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Initiatives: Be part of a workforce that reflects the diversity of our patient population. Free Clinical Supervision: Available based on licensure and availability to support your professional growth. Key Responsibilities Provide orientation to new patients regarding program rules, policies, procedures, and patients’ rights. Conduct intakes, discharge planning, initial assessments, and initial treatment plans professionally within time guidelines as required by applicable federal and state regulation, CARF guidelines, and Pinnacle policies. Involve patients in the assessment, treatment planning, and intervention aspects of treatment, giving them a sense of entitlement to their own recovery. Administer biopsychosocial assessments evaluating all areas of patients’ lives, including addictions, medical and mental health history, socioeconomics, legal, at intake and on an ongoing basis. Recognize and utilize patients’ strengths, needs, ability, and preferences (SNAP) to develop and implement individualized treatment plans that effectively help patients meet short‑ and long‑term goals. Determine the clinical necessity of counseling services based on the assessment and evaluation of patients. Monitor closely and document any change of circumstances with patients, especially as it relates to matters that may affect their recovery, identifying and addressing relapse indicators to promote relapse‑prevention interventions early. Comply with and implement Medical Q.A. (Quality Assurance) and Clinical Risk Management Policies, including: Evaluate patients for high‑risk conditions (e.g., liver failure, pregnancy, overdose, bipolar, schizophrenia, etc.) that may endanger the patient or others. Administer BAM‑R, C‑SSRS, GAD‑7, and PHQ‑9 screening tools to determine the severity of the patient’s mental/emotional status. Evaluate risk factors concerning each case, considering treatment appropriateness in an OTP versus other modalities. Review and coordinate with other practitioners for high‑risk conditions, recommending referral and securing necessary waivers for information release. Flag high‑risk patients to Medical Directors, Physician Extenders, and Regional Clinical Leadership (RCL) and highlight concerned conditions. Refer such patients to appropriate leaders based on urgency, using informal referral policy or scheduled treatment team/case conference sessions. Review physician notes and verify that high‑risk factors were addressed, otherwise bring to supervising counselor and clinic manager. Advise written staff members (including clinic manager, supervising counselor, dispensing nurse, front office) of high‑risk patients and maintain minutes from treatment team/case conference sessions. Provide professional counseling and referral services, including: Address patients’ clinical and special needs by maintaining referrals to specialized services rendered by physicians, physician extenders, and counselors within Aegis, as well as referrals to Keys to Recovery (or other twelve‑step) support groups and community resources, acting as liaison as necessary. Provide individual and group counseling as clinically necessary to address problem issues identified in the initial assessment and treatment plans, using protocols for relapse prevention, peer pressure, anger management, domestic violence, parenting, family preservation, vocational rehabilitation, etc. Utilize advanced counseling techniques such as CBT, MI, etc. Schedule regular counseling sessions with patients; issue appointment cards and record scheduled or rescheduled sessions in EHR scheduler. Document counseling entries including signature and date, per applicable regulations and policies. Engage in community relations and outreach efforts. Attend all recommended trainings including physician training of counselors, RCL training, and case conferences with program physicians and physician assistants. Collect research data when requested. Observe the collection of patients’ urine samples when required. Attend team meetings and complete all training courses on time as required. Other duties as assigned. Qualifications Counselor I: $20/hour to $22/hour Associate degree in relevant field and necessary registration/credentials to provide counseling services to our patient population. Kern County requires a bachelor’s degree or high‑school diploma/GED with 75% certification education. Preferred Possess a bachelor’s degree or higher. Counselor II: $22/hour to $25/hour Associate degree in a relevant field or majority of approved counselor certification courses, license, or certification. License or certification by a certifying organization recognized by the Department of Alcohol and Drug Programs. Proof of registration required immediately upon employment within California DHCS certifying body. 2‑5 years of experience OR Master level. Counselor III: $25/hour to $28/hour (Certified) & $28/hour to $31/hour (Licensed) Degrees must include being licensed, license‑eligible, or certified. Possess certification as an Alcohol and Other Drug Counselor with a CA approved certification agency or current credentials as licensed or license‑eligible with the Board of Behavioral Sciences or the Board of Psychology. Maintain board requirements including clinical supervision. Proof of licensure or certification by a state‑approved regulatory agency required immediately upon employment. Join our Team & Start Saving Lives Today Pinnacle Treatment Centers is an equal employment opportunity employer and makes employment decisions based on merit and other legitimate business considerations. We want to have the best available persons in every job. Company policy prohibits unlawful discrimination based on race, traits historically associated with race, color, creed, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions), parental leave, national origin, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, ancestry, physical or mental disability, military and veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, genetic characteristics or information, political affiliation, non‑merit based factors or any other consideration made unlawful by applicable federal, state, or local laws. It also prohibits discrimination based on the perception that anyone has any of those characteristics or is associated with a person who has or is perceived as having any of those characteristics. #J-18808-Ljbffr Pinnacle Treatment Centers, Inc.