SUD Counselor

Job Description

Job Description

Position Title : SUD Counselor
Department: All Programs
Reports To: Program Supervisor
Location: Los Angeles (excluding San Fernando Valley)

POSITION SUMMARY
Counselors are an integral part of the program's multi-disciplinary team and work under the
supervision of the program supervisor. The counselor's responsibilities include conducting
community-based (field based) counseling within the client’s primary residence, safe public area,
or local Sober State office. Delivery models include both individual, group, and collateral
sessions consisting of the 12-Core Functions and Global Criteria of addiction counselors
including case management and linkage to community resources.

HOURS
Vary upon contract.

CATEGORIES OF DUTIES
1. Provides crisis intervention on an as needed basis and abides by mandated reporting and
special incident reporting protocols.
2. Attends weekly individual and group supervision.
3. Attends in service training and educational workshops.
4. Attends all required staff meetings.
5. Cooperates and communicates fully with other staff members regarding patient behavior,
progress, activities, etc...
6. Conducts self in a professional manner in areas of dress, language, attitude, and behavior.
7. Exhibits full knowledge and support of the philosophy and objectives of the agency.
8. Fully understands and maintains policies regarding professional ethics, including appropriate
boundaries and patient confidentiality.
9. Other duties as assigned by the director and/or administration.
10. Completes intake assessments (precertification/screening/ASAM if applicable) within
timeframe established by program policy.
11. Initiates Treatment Planning (individual service plans) on assigned patients and works
closely with program supervisor and other members of the multi-disciplinary team to assure that
all identified problems are addressed.
12. Participates in initial and continuing case conference within timeframe established by
program agency.
13. Provides regular, comprehensive progress note charting in client’s electronic chart record in
accordance with agency standards, to include individual sessions, group participation, crisis
intervention, case conference/consultation, etc.…
14. Facilitates education groups as assigned utilizing approved curriculum according to program
schedule and program policy.
15. Schedules and conducts regular 1:1 session with all assigned clients at least weekly or more
often as appropriate or directed.
16. Performs conjoin/family sessions as needed.
17. Reviews all patient therapeutic assignments and provides assistance/feedback as needed.
18. Attends in-service training and educational workshops.
19. Maintains caseload, charting and documentation of services and referrals provided.
20. Provides data entry and reporting of services provided including court and progress reports.
21. Conducts non-observed drug testing and recording of results.
22. Manages time, travel, and logistics of their caseloads according to Sober State policies and
procedures.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE/QUALIFICATIONS GUIDELINES
• Counselors are an integral part of the program's multi-disciplinary team and work under
the supervision of the program supervisor.
• They collaborate closely with Regional Center service coordinators to deliver services to
consumers.
• The counselor's responsibilities include conducting substance use screening and
assessments, as well as providing substance use education and counseling through
individual, group, and family sessions.
• In addition to counseling responsibilities, counselors monitor and document participants'
progress in the Regional Recovery Program, consulting with the program supervisor
regarding counseling content, process, and caseload management.
• They may also serve as peer mentors to consumers, providing guidance on sober leisure
activities and integration into recovery communities as stated within the recovery support
service description.
• Counselors maintain participant records in accordance with HIPAA, ensuring strict
adherence to participant confidentiality requirements and standards, including mandated
reporting.

Qualifications:
• Qualifications for the counselor position include registration/certification with one of
three statewide certifying agencies: California Association for Drug/Alcohol Educators
(CAADE), California Association of DUI Treatment Program (CADTP), or California
Consortium of Addiction Programs and Professions (CCAPP); or Peer Support Specialist
(PSS) certification through CalMHSA.
• In addition to certification, counselors are required to have experience or complete
training related to disabled populations. These certifications validate the counselor's
expertise in the field of addiction treatment and their ability to deliver quality service.
• Counselors report directly to the program supervisor and collaborate closely on program
implementation and participant support.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
Sober State, LLC. does not discriminate as to race, nationality, religion, gender, sexual
orientation, and disability in its hiring practices.

ADA REQUIREMENT
Sober State, LLC. supports the American with Disabilities Act. Discrimination is prohibited in 
all aspects of employment against disabled persons, who, with reasonable accommodations, can 
perform the essential functions of a job.