Build Your Career - Alcohol and Drug Counseling Specialist

Job Description

Job Description

This job is posted on behalf of The Exeter Group by Top Echelon.

The organization is seeking a compassionate and recovery-oriented Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC) to provide substance use disorder treatment and recovery services to individuals throughout Chicago's South Side communities. This clinician will play a key role in helping clients achieve and maintain recovery by delivering evidence-based counseling services, developing individualized treatment plans, and collaborating with multidisciplinary care teams to address both substance use and co-occurring behavioral health needs.

Working as part of an integrated behavioral health team, the CADC will conduct comprehensive substance use assessments, provide individual and group counseling, educate clients and families, coordinate care with internal and external providers, and connect individuals to community resources that support long-term recovery and overall wellness.

Job Duties

Clinical Care

• Conduct comprehensive substance use assessments utilizing ASAM Criteria to evaluate substance use history, mental health status, level of care, and individualized treatment needs.
• Develop, implement, and regularly update person-centered treatment plans utilizing evidence-based practices.
• Provide individual and group counseling utilizing evidence-based treatment modalities such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and other appropriate interventions.
• Educate clients and families regarding addiction, relapse prevention, coping skills, recovery supports, and healthy lifestyle changes.
• Monitor client progress toward treatment goals and modify interventions as clinically appropriate.

Care Coordination

• Collaborate with physicians, psychiatrists, therapists, case managers, family members, and community providers to coordinate whole-person care.
• Assist clients in accessing housing, transportation, employment, healthcare, benefits, and other community resources that address social determinants of health.
• Facilitate referrals to internal and external behavioral health, medical, and recovery support services.
• Participate in multidisciplinary treatment team meetings and clinical case consultations.

Documentation & Compliance

• Complete timely, accurate, and confidential documentation within the Electronic Health Record.
• Ensure documentation complies with Illinois DHS Rule 2060, HIPAA, SAMHSA, CARF, Medicaid, and organizational standards.
• Maintain current treatment plans, progress notes, assessments, discharge documentation, and other required clinical records.
• Respond promptly to documentation feedback and maintain compliance with agency productivity standards.

Professional Practice

• Participate in regular clinical supervision, team meetings, trainings, and continuing education.
• Support quality improvement initiatives and program development efforts.
• Maintain professional certification and ethical standards consistent with IAODAPCA requirements.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor in good standing through IAODAPCA required.
• Bachelor's degree in Human Services, Psychology, Social Work, Counseling, or a related field preferred.
• MAT experience strongly preferred.
• One or more years of experience providing substance use disorder or behavioral health services preferred.
• Knowledge of DSM-5, ASAM Criteria, substance use disorder treatment, and evidence-based counseling interventions.
• Familiarity with Illinois DHS Rule 2060, Medicaid documentation standards, HIPAA, and accreditation requirements.
• Strong assessment, counseling, crisis intervention, and treatment planning skills.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and relationship-building abilities with clients, families, referral sources, and multidisciplinary teams.
• Experience utilizing Electronic Health Record systems.
• Ability to work effectively with culturally diverse and underserved populations.
• Bilingual (Spanish/English) preferred.
• Valid Illinois driver's license and reliable transportation preferred.