SUBSTANCE ABUSE SPECIALIST

Job Posting Title

SUBSTANCE USE SPECIALIST (ACT/ACT PLUS)

Job Description

The Substance Use Specialist is a key member of the Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) / ACT Plus multidisciplinary team and is responsible for providing assessment, treatment, recovery support, and case management services to individuals with co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders. This position delivers person-centered, recovery-oriented, and community-based services that promote wellness, recovery, housing stability, community integration, and improved quality of life.

The Substance Use Specialist collaborates closely with participants, families, community providers, and ACT team members to support individualized treatment planning, substance use recovery, behavioral health stabilization, and successful community living.

RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE JOB AND ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS

Direct Duties

Clinical Assessment & Treatment

• Conducts comprehensive substance use and co-occurring disorder assessments.
• Evaluates participant strengths, needs, readiness for change, and recovery goals.
• Provides individual counseling and therapeutic interventions for individuals with co-occurring behavioral health and substance use disorders.
• Utilizes evidence-based practices and recovery-oriented approaches to treatment.
• Assists participants in developing healthy coping skills and relapse prevention strategies.
• Conducts ongoing reassessments and treatment plan reviews.

Recovery Support Services

• Supports participants in achieving recovery, wellness, and community integration goals.
• Provides education regarding addiction, recovery, relapse prevention, harm reduction, and behavioral health conditions.
• Assists participants in identifying barriers to recovery and developing strategies to overcome challenges.
• Encourages participant self-advocacy, empowerment, and personal responsibility.
• Supports participants through various stages of change and recovery.

Treatment Planning

• Develops individualized treatment and recovery plans in partnership with participants.
• Updates treatment plans based on participant progress, goals, and changing needs.
• Monitors participant outcomes and progress toward treatment objectives.
• Coordinates treatment recommendations with other providers and members of the ACT team.
• Ensures treatment planning remains person-centered, strengths-based, and recovery-focused.

Community-Based Services & Advocacy

• Provides community-based substance use treatment and supportive services.
• Assists participants in accessing healthcare, behavioral health, housing, employment, and community resources.
• Advocates for participant needs with service providers, agencies, and community partners.
• Supports participants in maintaining housing, employment, and community stability.
• Assists participants in developing healthy support networks and community connections.

Other Responsibilities

Interdisciplinary Team Collaboration

• Participates actively in interdisciplinary ACT team meetings and treatment planning discussions.
• Collaborates with psychiatrists, nurses, therapists, case managers, peer support specialists, and community providers.
• Provides consultation regarding substance use treatment and recovery issues.
• Contributes to integrated care planning and service delivery.

Documentation & Compliance

• Maintains accurate and timely participant documentation.
• Completes required clinical notes, assessments, treatment plans, progress reports, and EHR documentation.
• Maintains records in accordance with organizational, regulatory, and funding requirements.
• Ensures compliance with HIPAA confidentiality standards and privacy regulations.
• Documents time worked accurately.

Community Partnerships & Professional Responsibilities

• Maintains positive working relationships with external providers, referral sources, and community agencies.
• Participates in professional development and continuing education activities.
• Supports organizational quality improvement initiatives.
• Maintains ethical and professional standards of practice.
• Performs additional duties as assigned by leadership.

ADHERE TO AND FOLLOW

• The By-Laws of the Corporation and as set forth in the Articles of Incorporation.

Job Qualifications

Education and Experience

Required

• Bachelor's Degree in Psychology, Social Work, Counseling, Behavioral Health, Human Services, or related field.
• Minimum one (1) year of experience working with individuals in addiction recovery or substance use treatment.
• Minimum four (4) years of experience in counseling, behavioral health, or substance use treatment services.

Preferred

• Master's Degree in Psychology, Social Work, Counseling, Behavioral Health, or related field.
• Experience working within Assertive Community Treatment (ACT), community mental health, or integrated behavioral health settings.
• Experience serving individuals with serious mental illness and co-occurring disorders.

Licenses & Certifications

Required

• Certified Addictions Counselor (CAC) or equivalent state-recognized substance use credential.
• Valid driver's license with acceptable driving record.
• Reliable transportation for community-based services.

Required Skills

• Strong counseling and motivational interviewing skills.
• Knowledge of substance use disorders, recovery models, and co-occurring treatment approaches.
• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building abilities.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively in community-based settings.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and participant needs.
• Knowledge of harm reduction and recovery-oriented practices.
• Proficiency with Electronic Health Records (EHR) systems.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and professional boundaries.

Job Competencies

Recovery-Oriented Practice

Supports participant recovery through strengths-based, person-centered, and community-focused interventions.

Substance Use Treatment Expertise

Demonstrates knowledge of addiction treatment, relapse prevention, harm reduction, and evidence-based recovery practices.

Cultural Competence

Provides respectful, inclusive, and responsive services that recognize diverse backgrounds and experiences.

Communication & Counseling Skills

Builds therapeutic relationships and communicates effectively with participants, families, providers, and team members.

Assessment & Treatment Planning

Conducts comprehensive assessments and develops individualized treatment plans that support recovery goals.

Collaboration & Teamwork

Works effectively within multidisciplinary teams to coordinate treatment and support participant success.

Advocacy

Promotes participant rights, access to services, and self-determination throughout the recovery process.

Documentation & Compliance

Maintains accurate clinical records and adheres to HIPAA, licensing, and funding requirements.

Problem Solving & Conflict Resolution

Identifies barriers to recovery and develops practical solutions while maintaining professionalism and participant engagement.

Organization & Time Management

Manages multiple participant needs, treatment activities, documentation requirements, and community-based responsibilities effectively.

Network Functions

Vehicle Requirements

• Current driver's license with acceptable driving record.
• Current vehicle registration and insurance as required.
• Reliable transportation for community outreach and participant services.

Equipment/Machines

Equipment Operations

• Telephone
• Cellular phone
• Computer
• Copier
• Fax machine
• Calculator
• Standard office equipment

Computer Software Applications

• Microsoft Outlook
• Microsoft Word
• Microsoft Excel
• Microsoft Teams
• Electronic Health Records (EHR)
• Clinical Documentation Systems
• Agency-specific software applications

Physical Demands

Physical Requirements

• Sitting, standing, walking, and driving for extended periods.
• Frequent community travel to participant homes, provider offices, hospitals, and community resources.
• Reaching, bending, lifting, climbing stairs, and carrying materials as needed.
• Ability to provide services in community-based and office settings.
• Ability to respond to participant crises and urgent situations.

Lifting Requirements

• Ability to occasionally lift, move, or carry up to 50 pounds.

Working Conditions

• Community-based behavioral health settings.
• Participant homes and residential environments.
• Office and clinic settings.
• Community agencies, healthcare providers, and recovery support programs.
• Multiple service locations throughout Delaware.

ACCIDENT, HEALTH HAZARD AND SECURITY KNOWLEDGE

• Bloodborne Pathogens
• Right-To-Know
• HIPAA
• Infection Prevention & Control Practices
• Fire and Safety Regulations
• Workplace Safety Procedures
• Emergency Response Protocols

General Requirements

• Maintain and abide by OSHA requirements and guidelines.
• Observe all Fire and Safety Policies and Procedures.
• Observe all Fiscal, Office, Human Resources, and Personnel Policies and Procedures.
• Observe all Agency Policies and Procedures.
• Observe all HIPAA Policies and maintain confidentiality.
• Attend all required trainings, meetings, and professional development activities.
• Maintain professional licensure and certifications.
• Demonstrate professionalism, sound judgment, and ethical conduct.
• Support person-centered, trauma-informed, and recovery-oriented care practices.
• Document time worked accurately.

Drug-Free Workplace Statement

Apis Services maintains a drug-free workplace. Employees may be subject to drug and alcohol testing in accordance with affiliate policies, licensing requirements, regulatory standards, post-incident procedures, reasonable suspicion protocols, and other applicable requirements.

The statements contained herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to this position. They are not intended to represent an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and qualifications required.

From time to time, employees may be assigned additional responsibilities necessary to support participant recovery, program operations, and organizational success. Appropriate training will be provided when necessary.

Schedule Flexibility

Work schedules are subject to participant and program needs. Flexibility regarding evenings, weekends, community travel, on-call responsibilities, and work locations may be required.

The more knowledge, flexibility, and expertise an employee develops, the greater value they bring to themselves, the organization, and the continued success of Inperium, Inc. & Family of Services.

About Company

Resources for Human Development (RHD) , an affiliate of Apis Services, Inc. and Inperium, Inc. , provides innovative behavioral health, recovery, intellectual and developmental disability, and community support services that empower individuals to achieve recovery, independence, and meaningful lives.

Apis Services and its affiliates are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, pregnancy, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law. This commitment extends to every phase of employment, including recruitment, hiring, compensation, benefits, promotion, training, and termination.