Substance Abuse Counselor

Substance Abuse Counselor

Job Category: Counseling Requisition Number: SUBST004976

Posted: June 23, 2026

Full-Time Hybrid 15 Green Hills Drive Suite 6 & 7 Staunton, VA 24401, USA

Job Details

Description

Requirements: Must have a Bachelors or Masters in Human Services or related field. CSAC-S, CSAC, Resident in Counseling, or Supervisee in Social Work required.

The Counselor is responsible for assisting patients in identifying, maximizing, and relating their strengths to appropriate social, educational (academic and vocational), and occupational goals. The Counselor is also responsible for helping the patients prepare and adjust to a drug free existence, and to offer assistance (emotional and physical) in problematic issues. The Counselor is responsible to the Counselor Supervisor or Program Director for provision of services to assigned patients and adherence to schedules, established program policies and procedures, and applicable federal, state, local and accrediting agency regulatory requirements. The Counselor will perform duties within the scope of their license or certification which are an addendum to this job description.

Summary of Essential Job Functions

The key responsibilities of the Counselor include but are not limited to:

• Conduct alcohol and drug abuse counseling sessions on a regular basis per state regulation, or as part of the individual treatment plan
• Mental health counseling may be provided based on program and qualifications of clinician
• Provide services according to the required hours, which may vary depending on services
• Conduct group counseling sessions as required
• Orient patients to the treatment program's operation and procedures
• Collect available social, educational, economic, and vocational information to be used as part of the assessment process
• Implement or revise patient treatment plans with the patient as required by state regulation and record a review of the patient's progress according to BHG policy
• Develop within (10) days of entry or as required by state guidelines, whichever is more stringent, a formal treatment plan documenting patient goals and update utilizing the same guidelines.
• Maintain patient records that are complete, comprehensive and well organized
• Submit records for periodic review as requested by supervisory team
• Document all patient contacts. If other team members provide services to the patient, the assigned counselor is responsible for seeing that such contacts are documented in the patient's chart
• Make appropriate referrals through case-management services and perform necessary follow-up
• Assist the Program Director in implementing new programs into patient treatment
• Advise the Program Director of problems encountered with caseload management and schedules
• Attend weekly treatment team meetings prepared to both lead the discussion where appropriate and discuss his/her assigned individual patient caseload
• Provide in-service training to counselors and other treatment center team members as needed
• Maintain a basic understanding of alcohol/drug abuse and addiction. Additionally, stay up to date on current drug abuse and treatment information, especially current trends in Opioid Maintenance Treatment
• Provide intake/readmission services, including several weeks of supportive follow-up counseling for new patients until their assignment to a primary counselor
• Provide, monitor, and document follow-up calls/contact to all discharging patients for at least 30 days
• Provide crisis intervention/support services to patients assigned to other counselors when their primary counselor is unavailable
• Provide inter-agency reports/documentation required for third party reimbursement, criminal justice proceedings, supplemental income assessments, emergency services, and other specialized treatment needs of patients as applicable
• Coordinate care with other community providers as needed
• Meet BHG attendance standards and be present and ready for work at the beginning of established work schedule
• Perform OBOT services as required
• Report any work-related injury or illness, or workplace hazards or security issues immediately to supervisor
• Other duties as assigned by supervisory team

Regulatory

• Responsible for complying with all federal, state and local regulatory agency requirements
• Responsible for complying with all accrediting agencies

Marketing and Outreach

• Participate in community and public relations activities as assigned

Professional Development

• Responsible for the achievement of assigned specific goals, objectives, and metrics
• Responsible for mentoring and training counseling team members regarding best practices in counseling and skills necessary to engage patients in treatment
• Demonstrate the belief that addiction is a brain disease, not a moral failing
• Demonstrates hope, respect, and caring in all interactions with patients and fellow team members
• Establish and maintain positive relationships in the workplace
• Can work independently and under pressure while handling multiple tasks simultaneously
• Make decisions and use good judgment with confidential and sensitive issues
• Deal appropriately with others in stressful or other undesirable situations

Training

• Participate in and provide in-service training as required by federal, state, local, and accrediting agencies
• Attend conferences, meetings and training programs as directed
• Participate in and/or schedule and attend regular in-service training

Minimum Requirements

• The Counselor must comply with federal and state regulations regarding certification, licensure, and degree.

Qualifications

The Counselor must have one of the following qualifications.

• Bachelor's degree in a related field
• Master's degree in a related field may be required with expanded job duties
• CSAC (Certified Substance Abuse Counselor)
• CSAC–S (Certified Substance Abuse Counselor – Supervisor)
• LPC (Licensed Professional Counselor)
• LCSW (Licensed Clinical Social Worker)
• LMFT (License Marriage and Family Therapist)

If not adequately licensed, the counselor must be enrolled in, or willing to begin, a formal course of study or track toward licensure at the date of hire.

In addition to meeting the qualifications, the ideal candidate will embody the following characteristics and possess the knowledge, skills and abilities listed below:

• High integrity
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Sound judgment
• Efficient
• Self-starter
• Ability to work independently and under pressure while handling multiple tasks simultaneously
• Ability to make decisions and use proper judgment with confidential and sensitive issues
• Must be able to react quickly and make effective decisions
• Demonstrate basic computer/word processing skills
• Demonstrate basic knowledge and skill in the use of typical office equipment such as calculator, fax machine, copier, computer, telephone, and computer programs
• Ability to demonstrate sufficient knowledge and understanding of human behavior to show potential for rehabilitating drug dependent patients
• Must have sufficient knowledge of the substance abuse population, treatment planning and the field of human social services to work toward the rehabilitation of the patient community

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions

The physical demands described here are representative of the requirements that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation(s) may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions to the extent such accommodation does not create an undue hardship on the business.

• Speaking and hearing ability sufficient to communicate effectively by phone or in person at normal volumes.
• Vision adequate to read correspondence, computer screen, forms, etc.
• Prolonged sitting, bending, stooping, or stretching
• Variable workload, periodic high stress and activity level
• Standard medical office conditions and environments
• Interactions with patients who may be ill, have infectious diseases, have mental health diagnoses and/or are involved in the criminal justice system