permit-eligibleWho is Bridging Access to Care, Inc.: Bridging Access to Care, Inc. (BAC) is a nonprofit, multi-service, community-based behavioral health care organization committed to building healthy communities, one person at a time.
In 2012, Brooklyn AIDS Task Force changed its name to BAC and successfully transitioned from an AIDS-centered organization to a multi-service, community-based healthcare organization. Brooklyn Aids Task Force was the very first HIV/AIDS organization in Brooklyn prioritizing serving persons living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) since 1986. Today, BAC provides mental health and substance use-related social services, comprehensive HIV/AIDS care, and coordinated health care and supportive services to underserved racial and ethnic minority communities in Brooklyn and other parts of New York City.
Bridging Access to Care, Inc. offers a competitive salary package, including health insurance, retirement plan, paid time off, and opportunities for professional development. Employees working in our Health Services divisions are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, unless approved for a legal accommodation. If you need an accommodation for any reason, including related to this job requirement, please contact Human Resources.
JOB SUMMARY: As the Substance Use Counselor, you will provide compassionate, evidence-based care to individuals experiencing substance use disorders, co-occurring mental health conditions, and homelessness while supporting the goals of the SAMHSA Grant for the Benefit of Homeless Individuals (GBHI) Program. Under the supervision of the GBHI Program Manager, this position combines direct clinical services with extensive community outreach to engage underserved populations and reduce barriers to care. As a member of a multidisciplinary care team, the Substance Use Counselor collaborates with medical providers, behavioral health professionals, community agencies, and housing partners to ensure integrated, coordinated care that addresses the complex needs of the population served through the SAMHSA GBHI Program.
The Substance Use Counselor conducts intake assessments, biopsychosocial screenings, and program enrollment; provides individual and group counseling using evidence-based interventions such as Motivational Interviewing and relapse prevention; and coordinates recovery support services, including housing navigation, care coordination, and referrals to community resources. The counselor also develops collaborative relationships with healthcare providers, shelters, community organizations, and other stakeholders to expand access to behavioral health services and improve client outcomes.
EDUCATION AND WORK QUALIFICATIONS:
- Minimum: High school diploma or General Educational Development (GED) certificate required; Associate's degree in Human Services, Behavioral Health, Social Work, Psychology, or a related field preferred.
- Minimum (3) years of experience in integrated mental health and substance use disorder assessment and treatment, including the use of Motivational Interviewing techniques.
- Minimum (5) years of experience working with individuals experiencing homelessness and/or substance use disorders.
- Minimum (1) year of experience facilitating psychoeducational, therapeutic, or recovery-focused groups.
- Minimum (1) year of experience coordinating outreach services and engaging high-risk or vulnerable populations.
CERTIFICATION: CASAC/CASAC-T required
LICENSURE: LMHC/LMSW strongly preferred; Limited permit eligible candidates will be considered
DUTIES AND RESPONIBILITIES:
Community Outreach & Engagement
- Conduct community outreach and engagement to increase awareness of substance use disorder (SUD) treatment, recovery support services, behavioral health programs, and housing resources.
- Represent the organization at community events, health fairs, coalition meetings, and stakeholder forums.
- Deliver presentations and educational sessions to community members, partner agencies, and stakeholders.
- Build and maintain partnerships with community organizations, faith-based groups, healthcare providers, schools, shelters, and referral sources to enhance client recruitment and access to services.
- Perform street outreach and community-based engagement with individuals experiencing homelessness, coordinating with community-based organizations (CBOs), hospitals, shelters, and other partners.
Clinical Services & Behavioral Health Treatment
- Provide direct SUD treatment and recovery-oriented services for individuals with substance use disorders and co-occurring mental health conditions, following SAMHSA GBHI objectives and trauma-informed, person-centered care principles.
- Conduct client intake, screening, biopsychosocial assessments, and ongoing reassessments to determine treatment needs and program eligibility.
- Provide individual counseling, crisis intervention, and group counseling using evidence-based practices, including motivational interviewing, relapse prevention, and trauma-informed care.
- Facilitate psychoeducational groups, recovery-focused support groups, and tobacco/vaping cessation groups.
- Deliver education on wellness, harm reduction, and risk-reduction strategies.
Recovery Support & Case Management
- Coordinate and implement substance use-related interventions, including screening, engagement, counseling, psychoeducation, and recovery support services.
- Provide recovery coaching, employment coaching, vocational support, housing navigation, referrals to recovery housing, and other supportive services that promote treatment engagement and long-term recovery.
- Advocate for clients and coordinate care to connect them with behavioral health, medical, housing, and community resources.
- Empower clients through interventions that strengthen self-efficacy, informed decision-making, and active participation in their recovery.
Care Coordination & Collaboration
- Serve as an active member of the multidisciplinary GBHI team to support integrated, coordinated care.
- Maintain collaborative relationships with therapeutic communities, rehabilitation programs, healthcare providers, shelters, and recovery organizations.
- Work closely with internal departments and external partners to facilitate referrals, coordinated care planning, and comprehensive case management.
Documentation, Reporting & Compliance
- Maintain accurate and timely documentation, including treatment plans, progress notes, referrals, follow-up activities, and case records in compliance with agency, grant, and regulatory requirements.
- Compile and submit daily, weekly, monthly, and annual reports, maintain program tracking systems, and support SAMHSA GBHI grant reporting and quality improvement activities.
Professional Development & Administrative Responsibilities
- Participate in staff meetings, case conferences, clinical supervision, and ongoing training to ensure professional development and program compliance.
- Perform other related duties as assigned to support program operations and client care.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
- Good verbal and writing skills. Flexibility a must.
- Experience with housing-insecure populations, substance use, and mental health
- Strong outreach, engagement, and case management skills
- Effective communicator with strong documentation and organizational abilities
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office and an electronic case record system
- Able to work independently in the field and manage a mobile caseload
- Culturally competent, trauma-informed, and client-centered
Pay: $30.22 per hour
Benefits:
- 403(b)
- 403(b) matching
- Dental insurance
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Health savings account
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Parental leave
- Professional development assistance
- Referral program
- Vision insurance
Application Question(s):
- Describe your approach to identifying clients who may require a higher level of behavioral health or substance use treatment. Share a specific example of how you managed the referral process.
- How do you incorporate evidence-based practices and outcome measures into your evaluation of client progress? Please provide a real-world example of how you used this information to guide treatment.
- Describe your approach to responding to clients experiencing suicidal ideation, an overdose, or a psychiatric emergency. Please provide a specific example from your professional experience.
- How do you balance harm reduction strategies with abstinence-based recovery goals when working with clients? Please provide a specific example from your experience.
Education:
- High school or equivalent (Required)
Experience:
- integrated mental health and substance use assessment: 3 years (Required)
- coordinating outreach and engaging high-risk or vulnerable : 1 year (Preferred)
- working with homeless individuals and/or substance use: 5 years (Required)
License/Certification:
- CASAC or CASAC-T (Preferred)
- NYS LMHC or LMSW (Preferred)
Willingness to travel:
Work Location: In person
