Position Overview
This is a Part Time position - 28 hours per week
A successful Substance Use Counselor must be passionate about healthcare and want to make a difference in others' lives while serving as a mission-driven catalyst to help Livingston Community Health deliver the highest quality of care and excellent service to our patients and their families.
The Substance Use Counselor provides comprehensive substance use disorder (SUD) services to individuals experiencing alcohol and/or drug-related disorders. Responsibilities include conducting screenings and assessments, developing individualized treatment plans, facilitating individual and group counseling, providing relapse prevention education, coordinating care with medical and behavioral health providers, and connecting patients with community resources. The counselor promotes recovery, supports harm reduction strategies when appropriate, and ensures services are delivered in accordance with evidence-based practices, ethical standards, and applicable federal and state regulations.
Essential Functions, Duties, and Responsibilities
Clinical Responsibilities
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Conduct substance use screenings and comprehensive assessments.
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Develop, implement, and update individualized treatment and recovery plans.
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Provide individual, group, and family counseling related to substance use and recovery.
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Utilize evidence-based counseling techniques, such as Motivational Interviewing (MI), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), relapse prevention, and recovery-oriented interventions, as permitted by scope of practice.
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Assist patients in identifying triggers, coping skills, and strategies to maintain recovery.
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Coordinate care with medical providers, behavioral health clinicians, psychiatrists, and other members of the healthcare team.
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Assist patients with referrals to higher levels of care, including detoxification, residential treatment, intensive outpatient programs, and recovery support services.
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Connect patients with community resources addressing housing, employment, transportation, legal concerns, and social services.
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Educate patients and families about substance use disorders, treatment options, medication-assisted treatment (MAT), relapse prevention, and recovery resources.
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Provide harm reduction education and support when appropriate.
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Promote wellness and healthy lifestyle behaviors that support long-term recovery.
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Recognize and respond appropriately to behavioral health crises.
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Assess for risk factors such as suicidal ideation, overdose risk, and other safety concerns.
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Follow clinic protocols for emergency referrals and crisis intervention services.
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Maintain timely, accurate, and complete clinical records.
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Document assessments, treatment plans, progress notes, case management activities, and discharge summaries.
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Ensure compliance with confidentiality requirements, including HIPAA and 42 CFR Part 2 regulations governing substance use treatment records.
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Encourage participation in peer support groups and community recovery programs.
Support Responsibilities
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Support integrated care initiatives between primary care, behavioral health, and substance use treatment services. Consult with supervisors and licensed clinicians as appropriate.
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Assist with population health initiatives targeting substance use prevention and treatment.
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Maintain required certification, continuing education, and professional standards.
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Support a welcoming, professional, and patient-centered environment.
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Contribute and provide support as part of the team by fostering professional staff interactions and maintaining open communication and respect across the organization.
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Demonstrate competence with the mission, vision, and values of the organization, providing quality services to the community.
- Maintain confidentiality and respect for all sensitive information and protect company assets.
- Present a positive view of the Company to the community and partners.
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Attend and actively participate in all meetings (e.g., department meetings, program meetings, staff meetings) and other activities as required or assigned.
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Comply with all Company policies and procedures, including but not limited to practicing workplace safety and reporting work-related injuries.
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Perform other work-related duties as assigned. Duties and responsibilities may be added, deleted, or changed at any time at the direction of leadership, formally or informally, either verbally or in writing.
Education Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Education and Experience
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Bachelor’s degree in a Behavioral Science or Mental Health Profession.
- Experience with integrated care, medication-assisted treatment (MAT), and trauma-informed care preferred.
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Knowledge of Medi-Cal and California behavioral health programs preferred.
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Familiarity with ASAM Criteria and California DHCS.
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Experience at an FQHC or community health setting preferred.
Certification/License
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Current Alcohol and Drug Counselor – Level III California Certification from a DHCS certifying agency.
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Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification from the AHA.
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Valid Driver's License.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Multi-lingual: English plus Spanish, Punjabi, or Portuguese preferred.
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In-depth knowledge of substance use disorders, recovery principles, treatment modalities, and applicable federal and state regulations.
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Skilled in screening, assessment, case management, treatment planning, and documentation requirements.
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Maintain current knowledge and connection to community resources.
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Skilled in motivational interviewing, cognitive behavior therapy, and patient engagement principles.
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Ability to effectively provide individual and group counseling, including building rapport and trust with patients.
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Ability to establish and maintain therapeutic relationships that includes a strong understanding of patient/counselor boundaries.
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A solid understanding of co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders.
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Knowledge of pharmacology and the physiological effects of alcohol and drugs.
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Crisis intervention, suicide risk awareness, case management, and clinical documentation.
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Trauma-informed care principles.
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Family systems and the impact of addiction on families.
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Confidentiality requirements, including HIPAA and 42 CFR Part 2.
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Cultural competency, diversity, equity, and inclusion principles.
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Maintaining accurate, timely, and legally compliant documentation using an electronic health records system.
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Managing crises and de-escalating difficult situations.
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Collaborating effectively with interdisciplinary healthcare teams.
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Educating patients and families about addiction, recovery, and relapse prevention.
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Using electronic health records (EHRs) and clinical documentation systems.
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Patient rights and confidentiality requirements
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Effective communication (verbal and written with patients and staff).
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Computer proficiency (EHR systems, email, scheduling tools).
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Time management and prioritization.
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Attention to detail and accuracy.
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Conflict resolution and de-escalation.
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Demonstrate reliability and accountability.
