Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Counselor/Lead

POSITION SUMMARY


Counsel and advise individuals with alcohol, tobacco, drug, or other addictions, such as gambling and eating disorders. May counsel individuals, families, or groups or engage in prevention programs. Population is largely Spanish-speaking, low-income immigrant adults and children. Provides a range of psychosocial assessments, diagnostic, therapeutic and case management services for individuals, couples, groups, children and families, as appropriate to the specific expectations of the position.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES and RESPONSIBILITIES :

• Counsel patients, individually and in groups, to assist in overcoming dependencies, adjusting to life, and making changes.
• Maintain accurate records regarding the patients' histories and progress, services provided, and other required information.
• Develop client treatment plans based on research, clinical experience, and client histories.
• Review and evaluate clients' progress in relation to measurable goals described in treatment and care plans.
• Interview clients, review records, and confer with other professionals to evaluate individuals' mental and physical condition, and to determine their suitability for participation in a specific program.
• Intervene as advocate for clients or patients to resolve emergency problems in crisis situations.
• Provide clients or family members with referrals and information about addiction issues and available services and programs
• Modify treatment plans to comply with changes in client status.
• Coordinate counseling efforts with mental health professionals and doctors, nurses, and social workers.
• Plan and implement follow-up and aftercare programs for clients to be discharged from treatment programs.
• Conduct chemical dependency program orientation sessions.
• Counsel family members to assist them in understanding, dealing with, and supporting clients or patients.
• Participate as an IBH team member, and participate in case conferences and staff meetings.
• Coordinate activities with courts, probation officers, community services and other post-treatment agencies.
• Confer with family members or others close to clients to keep them informed of treatment planning and progress.
• Follow progress of discharged patients to determine effectiveness of treatments.

CORE COMPETENCIES:

• Interpersonal Communication: The ability to establish rapport quickly and to communicate effectively with consumers of healthcare, their family members and other providers.
• Collaboration and Teamwork: The ability to function effectively as a member of an inter-professional team that includes behavioral health and primary care providers, consumers and family members.
• Screening and Assessment: The ability to conduct brief, evidence-based and developmentally appropriate screening and to conduct or arrange for more detailed assessments when indicated.
• Care Planning and Care Coordination: The ability to create and implement integrated care plans, ensuring access to an array of linked services, and the exchange of information among consumers, family members, and providers
• Intervention: The ability to provide a range of brief, focused prevention, treatment and recovery services.
• Cultural Competence and Adaptation: The ability to provide services that are relevant to the culture of consumer and family.
• Systems Oriented Practice: The ability to function effectively within the organizational and financial structures of the local system of healthcare.
• Practice-based Learning and Quality Improvement: The ability to assess and continually improve the services delivered as an individual provider and as part of the IBH team
• Informatics: The ability to use information technology to support and improve integrated healthcare

• Minimum of 1 year experience as a Substance Abuse or Behavioral Disorder Counselor in community mental health;
• SUD Counselor (CADCA) - Requires a Certified Alcohol Drug Counselor Associate registration number;
• Bilingual in Spanish and English (Required);
• Knowledge of principles, methods, and procedures for diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of physical and mental dysfunctions.
• Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.
• Knowledge of group dynamics, societal trends and influences, human migrations, ethnicity, cultures and their history and origins.

Licensure/Certification:
• Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counseling Certificate, proof of valid driver's license and insurance

Environmental/Working Conditions:

Normal office environment. Occasional overtime may be required and/or hours may be shortened as business needs dictate. While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to sit. The employee is occasionally required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel and talk or hear. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision.

Work Environment: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

This description is intended to provide only basic guidelines for meeting job requirements. Responsibilities, skills and working conditions may change as needed.

Equal Opportunity Statement:

Via Care Community Health Center provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. Via Care Community Health Center complies with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which the organization has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

In compliance with California Labor Code § 432.3, as amended effective January 1, 2026, this job posting includes the pay scale for the position. The pay scale represents a good-faith estimate of the salary or hourly wage range the employer reasonably expects to pay for the position upon hire. Actual compensation within the posted range will depend on experience, skills, and internal equity.