Substance Use Counselor

Substance Use Counselor

Working as part of the Behavioral Health team, the Substance Use Counselor provides outpatient substance use disorder (SUD) treatment and recovery support services to youth and adults experiencing homelessness. This role engages individuals who use substances with a trauma-informed, client-centered approach that prioritizes dignity, autonomy, and practical strategies to improve health and safety. Services are delivered across multiple Health Care for the Homeless locations, including fixed-site clinics, mobile clinics, and community-based settings, to meet clients where they are and reduce barriers to care.

Key Role Responsibilities

• Provides substance use and behavioral health assessments and interventions that support the client's overall health and well-being, using a harm reduction, trauma-informed, and non-judgmental approach that respects client autonomy and lived experience.
• Engages and re-engages clients in services across clinic, mobile, and community settings, helping to reduce barriers to care and support ongoing connection to treatment.
• Provides individual counseling and group counseling, supporting clients in identifying goals related to safer substance use, treatment, or recovery based on their readiness for change.
• Conducts screening, triage, intake, assessment, and referrals to appropriate levels of care including detoxification, residential treatment, outpatient services, and recovery support when desired by the client.
• Facilitates groups designed to engage clients with substance use or co-occurring disorders, promote health and safety, and support movement along the continuum of change.
• Participates actively on an integrated, multidisciplinary care team to develop and implement individualized treatment plans using SMART goals that reflect client priorities and needs.
• Contributes to interdisciplinary case conferences and care coordination to support holistic care for clients.
• Works closely with Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) prescribers and medical staff to support clients receiving medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) such as Suboxone.
• Supports the Behavioral Health and MAT teams by providing consultation on substance use resources, harm reduction strategies, and referrals to higher levels of care.
• Partners with behavioral health leadership to administer the contingency management program.
• Completes documentation of services in accordance with established forms, formats, and required timeframes within the electronic health record.
• Completes required documentation and authorizations necessary for reimbursement for behavioral health services.

Formal Education and Training

• Associates degree in a human services related field required. Bachelor's degree preferred
• Licensed or certified by the Maryland Board of Professional Counselors in substance abuse counseling (CSC-AD, CAC-AD, or LCADC) required

Experience

• Minimum two years of experience working with individuals with substance use disorders
• Knowledge of harm reduction and commitment to translate harm reduction philosophy into practice
• Experience working with underserved populations, including individuals experiencing homelessness, preferred

Skills

• Well-developed interpersonal skills necessary to build trusting relationships with clients and community partners
• Able to work in an interdisciplinary team and collaborate with others across various disciplines and service locations
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Able to work with individuals who may be ill, disabled, emotionally distressed, or experiencing crisis