Substance Abuse Group Facilitator

Job Description

Job Description

Benefits:

• Training & development
• Wellness resources
• Company parties

ASAM 3.1 GROUP FACILITATOR Position Title: ASAM 3.1 Group Facilitator / SUD Counselor
Program: ASAM 3.1 – Clinically Managed Low-Intensity Residential Services
Reports To: Clinical Director / Program Director
Employment Status: Part-Time or Full-Time, depending on program needs
Schedule: One clinical group per day, Monday–Friday
Location: Residential Treatment Facility

POSITION SUMMARY

The ASAM 3.1 Group Facilitator is responsible for planning, preparing, and facilitating one structured substance use disorder (SUD) treatment group each day, five days per week, for adult residents receiving ASAM 3.1 clinically managed low-intensity residential services.

The Group Facilitator provides structured, recovery-oriented education and therapeutic interventions designed to address substance use, relapse prevention, recovery skills, emotional regulation, motivation for change, coping skills, healthy relationships, recovery supports, and other identified treatment needs.

The facilitator is responsible for maintaining a safe, therapeutic, respectful, and recovery-focused group environment and completing all required clinical documentation in accordance with VABODE policies, DBHDS requirements, applicable Virginia Medicaid requirements, ASAM standards, and the individual's treatment plan.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Group Facilitation

The Group Facilitator will:

• Facilitate one structured SUD treatment group per day, Monday through Friday .

• Provide approximately five group sessions per week , according to the program schedule.

• Ensure each group has a clearly identified clinical/recovery-focused topic and objective.

• Facilitate groups using evidence-informed, trauma-informed, person-centered, and recovery-oriented approaches.

• Encourage active participation while maintaining appropriate group boundaries.

• Use motivational interviewing and other appropriate counseling techniques to support engagement and readiness for change.

• Address topics relevant to substance use and recovery, including:
  • Relapse prevention

  • Craving management

  • Triggers

  • Coping skills

  • Emotional regulation

  • Recovery planning

  • Decision-making

  • Communication

  • Healthy relationships

  • Life skills

  • Recovery support systems

  • Identification of high-risk situations

  • Behavioral patterns associated with substance use

  • Development of sober living skills

  • Transition and discharge planning

2. Individualized Clinical Documentation

Following each group session, the facilitator will:

• Complete required group documentation in a timely manner.

• Document the group topic, interventions, client participation, response, and progress toward treatment goals.

• Complete an individualized note for each participating resident when required by program policy, payer requirements, or the applicable service/documentation requirements.

• Ensure documentation accurately reflects the services actually provided.

• Link individualized documentation to the resident's identified treatment needs, goals, objectives, and interventions.

• Document clinically significant observations or concerns and communicate them to the appropriate clinical staff.

• Maintain confidentiality and comply with HIPAA and applicable federal and Virginia confidentiality requirements.

3. Treatment Plan Integration

The Group Facilitator will:

• Review applicable portions of each resident's treatment plan before providing services when necessary.

• Ensure group interventions are relevant to identified treatment needs.

• Reinforce treatment-plan goals and objectives during group sessions.

• Communicate observed progress, barriers, or concerns to the primary counselor/clinical team.

• Participate in treatment team discussions when requested.

• Support ongoing discharge and recovery planning.

4. Resident Safety and Clinical Communication

The Group Facilitator will:

• Maintain appropriate professional boundaries with residents.

• Monitor group dynamics and resident behavior.

• Recognize and report significant changes in a resident's presentation, behavior, safety, or recovery status.

• Immediately communicate concerns involving potential safety risks, relapse, intoxication, withdrawal, suicidal ideation, homicidal ideation, or other significant clinical concerns according to program policy.

• Follow the facility's emergency, incident reporting, and crisis-response procedures.

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Qualifications

One of the following, as applicable to the duties assigned and program requirements:

• Certified Substance Abuse Counselor (CSAC); or

• CSAC-Supervisee working within the scope permitted by Virginia requirements and under required supervision; or

• Licensed Mental Health Professional (LMHP) or other appropriately licensed behavioral health professional; or

• Other qualified behavioral health professional whose education, training, credentials, and scope of practice meet the requirements applicable to the services being provided.

Preferred:

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Psychology, Social Work, Counseling, Human Services, Addiction Studies, or a related field.

• Experience working with adults with substance use disorders.

• Experience facilitating SUD treatment groups.

• Experience working in residential treatment or another ASAM level of care.

• Knowledge of ASAM criteria and substance use disorder treatment practices.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES

The successful candidate must demonstrate:

• Strong group facilitation skills.

• Knowledge of substance use disorders and recovery.

• Ability to establish therapeutic rapport while maintaining professional boundaries.

• Effective verbal and written communication.

• Ability to manage group dynamics.

• Ability to maintain accurate and timely clinical documentation.

• Ability to recognize changes in resident behavior and communicate clinical concerns appropriately.

• Understanding of trauma-informed and person-centered care.

• Ability to work collaboratively with counselors, clinicians, peer staff, medical staff, and residential staff.

• Reliability and punctuality.

• Professional judgment and ethical conduct.

WORK SCHEDULE

The primary responsibility of this position is to facilitate:

One clinical SUD group per day, Monday through Friday, for a total of five groups per week.

The specific group length and schedule will be established by the ASAM 3.1 program and must comply with applicable program, clinical, payer, and regulatory requirements.

Additional responsibilities may include preparation, documentation, clinical consultation, treatment-team communication, staff meetings, and required training.

PHYSICAL AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

The position is performed primarily within a residential behavioral health treatment setting. The employee must be able to remain attentive and engaged during group sessions, interact appropriately with residents, and respond to routine behavioral or clinical situations consistent with the position.