Rehab Counselor - Immediate hiring

Pinnacle Treatment Centers is a leading provider of comprehensive addiction treatment services, committed to transforming lives through compassionate care. Our approach is rooted in evidence-based practices, focusing on the holistic well‑being of our patients, and treating our teammates with the same level of individualized compassion and empathy. Pinnacle transforms the lives of more than 35,000 individuals daily resulting in a network of care spanning across the country.

As a Counselor, you will play a crucial role in the recovery journey of our patients. Pinnacle’s unique approach combines compassionate care with innovative treatment methods to address the diverse needs of individuals seeking help for substance use disorders. Join us in making a positive impact on the lives of those we serve.

Variable Pay Structure : Competitive compensation based on experience, education, and licensure.

Clear advancement opportunities through our Counselor Tier Program, designed to reward achievement in education, licensure, and credentials.

Bonus Incentives : Recognizing and rewarding quality patient care with monthly performance‑based bonuses.

STAR LRP Eligibility : 90% of our facilities are eligible for the Student Loan Repayment Program. Paid Time Off : 18 days of PTO, sick leave, and 8 paid holidays to maintain a healthy work‑life balance.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Initiatives : Be part of a workforce that reflects the diversity of our patient population.

Free Clinical Supervision : Provides orientation to new patients to the programs’ rules, policies, procedures, and patients' rights.

Conduct Intakes, Discharge Planning, Initial Assessments, and Initial Treatment Plans professionally and within time guidelines as required by applicable federal and state regulation, CARF guidelines and Pinnacle Policies.

Involve patients in the assessment, treatment planning, and intervention aspects of treatment, which provides the patient with a sense of entitlement to their own recovery.

Administer the biopsychosocial assessment, which evaluates all areas of patients' lives, including their addictions, medical and mental health history, socioeconomics, legal, etc. Recognize and utilize patients’ Strengths, Needs, Ability, and Preferences (SNAP), to develop and implement individualized Treatment Plans that effectively help patients to meet their short & long‑term goals. Monitor closely, and document any change of circumstances with the patients, especially as it relates to matters that may affect their recovery, identifying and addressing relapse indicators to promote relapse prevention interventions in an early stage.

Comply with and implement the Medical Q.A (Quality Assurance) and Clinical Risk Management Policies, including:

Evaluate the patients for any high‑risk conditions (e.g., Evaluate the risk factors concerning each such case, considering the appropriateness of, and professionalism in treating such individuals in an OTP in comparison to treatment in a residential facility or other treatment modalities.

Review and ask about other practitioners' involvement in the treatment of these high‑risk conditions. Recommend immediate referral to such a specialist in case of need. Flag high‑risk patients to the Medical Directors, Physician Extenders, and Regional Clinical Leadership (RCL) and highlight the conditions concerned.

Refer such patients to the Medical Directors, Physician Extenders or RCLs (Regional Clinical Leadership) based on the urgency, utilizing the informal Referral Policy or the scheduled Treatment Team/Case Conference session.

Review physician notes, following the Medical Directors or Physician Extenders’ session with the patient, verifying that they noted and addressed the high‑risk factor, or otherwise bring it immediately to the attention of the supervising counselor, as well as the clinic manager, until the matter’s proper and professional handling by the physician or physician extender.

Advise, in writing, other staff members (including the clinic manager, supervising counselor, dispensing nurse and front office) of high‑risk patients and their condition. Addressing patients’ clinical and special needs by maintaining referrals to specialized (“second tier”) services rendered by physicians, physician extenders and counselors within Aegis, as well as referrals to Keys to Recovery (or other twelve‑step) support groups, and other community resources (e.g., The counseling service will include protocols for the treatment of Relapse Prevention, Peer Pressure, Anger Management, Domestic Violence, Parenting, Family Preservation, Vocational Rehabilitation, etc.

Utilizing advanced counseling techniques such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, etc.

Documenting counseling entries, including signature and date, as required by applicable federal and state regulations, CARF guidelines and Pinnacle policies.

Engaging in Community Relations and Outreach efforts.

Attending all recommended training including Physician Training of Counselors, RCL training, and case conferences with the program physicians and physician assistants.

Collecting research data when requested.

Observing the collection of patients’ urine samples when required.

Attend team meetings and complete all training courses timely as required.

Counselor I

$Possess an associate degree in relevant field and has the registration/credentials necessary to provide counseling services to our patient population.

Kern County requires a bachelor’s degree or High school diploma/GED with 75% certification education.

Possess a bachelor's degree or higher.

Counselor II

$Possess an associate degree in a relevant field or a majority of approved counselor certification courses, license, or certification necessary to provide counseling services to our patient population. Kern County requires a bachelor's degree or 75% of required counselor certification courses.

Possess counselor registration/certification by a “Certifying Organization: recognized by the Department of Alcohol and Drug Programs. Proof of registration is required immediately once employed with a California Alcohol and Drug Program certifying body. Employees must be registered prior to providing any counseling services per the DHCS (Department of Health Care Services).

Counselor III

$Possess certification as an Alcohol and Other Drug Counselor with a CA approved certification agency or current credentials as licensed or license‑eligible with the Board of Behavioral Sciences or the Board of Psychology. If license‑eligible, must maintain the Board’s requirements to be able to practice including receiving the necessary amount of clinical supervision by a Board approved supervisor.

Proof of licensure or certification by a State approved regulatory agency is required immediately once employed. Employees must be credentialed prior to providing any counseling services per the DHCS (Department of Health Care Services).