AOD Certified Substance Use Disorder Counselor

Description

Position Summary

The Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) Certified Substance Use Disorder Counselor provides comprehensive substance use disorder (SUD) counseling, education, case coordination, recovery support, and related services to individuals experiencing substance use and co-occurring behavioral health conditions.

The AOD Counselor works as part of an interdisciplinary behavioral health team to assess client needs, participate in the development and implementation of individualized treatment and recovery plans, provide individual and group counseling, support engagement and retention in treatment, coordinate services, and document care in accordance with agency, payer, contractual, and regulatory requirements.

The position requires a current AOD/SUD counselor certification recognized by the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS), or other qualifying credential as specifically permitted by the program and applicable regulations.

Assessment and Treatment Planning

• Conduct screenings, intake activities, substance use assessments, and other evaluations within the counselor's authorized scope of practice.
• Identify substance use patterns, recovery needs, barriers to treatment, strengths, risk factors, and appropriate service needs.
• Participate in the development, implementation, review, and modification of individualized treatment and recovery plans.
• Apply knowledge of substance use disorders, stages of change, relapse and recurrence, recovery principles, and evidence-informed treatment approaches.
• Recognize signs and symptoms of co-occurring mental health conditions and coordinate with licensed clinical professionals when needs exceed the counselor's scope of practice.
• Identify changes in client condition that may require additional clinical, medical, psychiatric, or crisis assessment.

Individual and Group Counseling

• Provide individual and group substance use disorder counseling within the counselor's education, certification, competency, and authorized scope.
• Facilitate psychoeducational and recovery-focused groups addressing topics such as substance use, relapse prevention, coping skills, triggers, recovery planning, decision-making, healthy relationships, and development of natural supports.
• Utilize motivational interviewing and other evidence-informed engagement strategies as appropriate to the program and population served.
• Support clients in establishing realistic and measurable treatment and recovery goals.
• Assist clients in identifying high-risk situations and developing strategies to support sustained recovery.
• Engage family members, caregivers, and other natural supports when clinically appropriate and authorized by the client.

Care Coordination and Case Management

• Coordinate services with members of the interdisciplinary treatment team and external providers.
• Assist clients in accessing behavioral health, medical, housing, educational, vocational, social service, recovery, and community resources.
• Participate in case conferences, treatment team meetings, care coordination meetings, and other multidisciplinary activities.
• Facilitate referrals to appropriate levels of care and community resources.
• Support continuity of care during transitions between programs, providers, and levels of treatment.
• Maintain effective working relationships with community partners and referral sources.

Documentation and Compliance

• Complete timely, accurate, objective, and clinically appropriate documentation of services.
• Document assessments, treatment/recovery plans, counseling activities, progress notes, care coordination, referrals, discharge planning, and other required services.
• Maintain client records in the agency's electronic health record (EHR) system.
• Ensure documentation supports the service provided and complies with applicable agency, contractual, payer, and regulatory requirements.
• Maintain confidentiality of client information in accordance with HIPAA, 42 CFR Part 2, California confidentiality requirements, and agency policy.
• Maintain professional boundaries and comply with applicable ethical standards governing AOD/SUD counselors.
• Participate in documentation reviews, utilization review, quality improvement, compliance activities, and corrective action processes as required.

Crisis, Risk, and Safety

• Recognize behavioral, substance-related, environmental, and other indicators that may require immediate intervention or escalation.
• Follow agency procedures regarding suicidal ideation, self-harm, homicidal ideation, overdose risk, withdrawal concerns, abuse or neglect, and other safety concerns.
• Immediately consult with licensed clinical, medical, supervisory, or emergency personnel when a client's needs exceed the counselor's scope of practice.
• Complete mandated reports and incident reports when applicable and in accordance with agency policy and California law.
• Participate in safety planning and crisis response within the counselor's training and scope.

Interdisciplinary Team Responsibilities

• Function as an active member of an integrated behavioral health treatment team.
• Collaborate with licensed clinicians, physicians, nurse practitioners, nurses, case managers, peer professionals, family support staff, care coordinators, and other team members.
• Participate in supervision, team meetings, case consultation, training, and professional development activities.
• Communicate significant changes in client status to appropriate members of the treatment team.
• Maintain professional, respectful, trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and client-centered interactions.

Requirements

Minimum Qualifications

Education

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Completion of applicable AOD/SUD counselor education and training requirements required.
• Associate's or bachelor's degree in behavioral health, psychology, social work, human services, addiction studies, or a related field preferred.

Certification

Must possess and maintain a current AOD/SUD counselor certification recognized by the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) through a DHCS-recognized certifying organization, such as:

• California Consortium of Addiction Programs and Professionals (CCAPP);
• California Association for Alcohol/Drug Educators (CAADE); or
• Certification for Alcohol and Drug Treatment Professionals (CADTP);

or another certification subsequently recognized by DHCS.

Examples may include CADC, CATC, SUDCC, or another qualifying certification, depending upon the certifying organization.

Certification must remain active and in good standing throughout employment.

A registered counselor who has not yet obtained full certification may be considered only when specifically permitted for the position and program and when the individual meets all current DHCS registration, education, supervision, and certification-timeline requirements.

Experience

• Previous experience providing substance use disorder, behavioral health, recovery, case management, or related human services preferred.
• Experience serving individuals with co-occurring mental health and substance use conditions strongly preferred.
• Experience working with children, adolescents, adults, and/or families with complex behavioral health needs may be required depending upon program assignment.
• Experience working in Medi-Cal, Drug Medi-Cal, county-contracted, community behavioral health, or other publicly funded treatment environments preferred.

Other Requirements

• Must successfully complete all required background checks, clearances, and health requirements applicable to the position and program.
• Must maintain required AOD/SUD certification in good standing.
• Must complete required continuing education and agency training.
• Must maintain current CPR/First Aid certification when required by program.
• Valid California driver's license, acceptable driving record, and automobile insurance may be required for community-based positions.
• Must be able to travel within the community and between agency locations when required.
• Must be able to use an electronic health record and other agency technology required to perform essential job functions.

Physical and Work Environment Requirements

The position may require work in office, clinic, community, school, residential, client-home, or other behavioral health settings. Employees may encounter clients experiencing significant behavioral health symptoms, substance use, emotional distress, or crisis situations.

Reasonable accommodation may be provided to qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with applicable law.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The Agency is an equal opportunity employer and provides employment opportunities without unlawful discrimination or harassment in accordance with applicable federal and California law.

This job description describes the general nature and level of work expected of the position. It is not intended to contain a comprehensive listing of every responsibility, duty, qualification, or activity required. Duties and responsibilities may be modified based upon program, contractual, regulatory, and organizational needs.