Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LADC)
Riverwood Campus | Otsego, Minnesota Full-Time | $70,000–$82,000 annually
The LADC provides comprehensive substance use disorder treatment within NorthStar Regionals co-occurring treatment program, including individual and group counseling, assessment, treatment planning, crisis support, and continuing-care planning. The position works alongside mental health, medical, nursing, and recovery professionals to address the interconnected substance use, mental health, and behavioral needs that influence each client's treatment and long-term recovery.
Why NorthStar RegionalAt NorthStar Regional, clinicians are part of a treatment environment built around individualized care, clinical collaboration, and a full continuum of behavioral health services. Our programs are designed to meet clients where they are and provide the structure, expertise, and support needed to help them move forward in recovery.Clinicians have the opportunity to work alongside professionals across substance use disorder treatment, mental health, medical care, nursing, and recovery services—bringing multiple perspectives together to support the needs of each client.For an LADC with sound clinical judgment, a commitment to client-centered care, and a passion for helping individuals build lasting recovery, NorthStar Regional provides an environment where your work can make a meaningful difference.
Why RiverwoodLocated on 32 acres along the Mississippi River in Otsego, the campus was designed to create an environment where treatment, recovery, wellness, and connection can happen in one placeRiverwood provides men's co-occurring residential treatment and intensive outpatient treatment with lodging, giving LADCs the opportunity to work with clients at different stages of recovery and be part of their progress throughout the treatment experience.The campus itself is an extension of that treatment environment. Riverwood includes an indoor fitness facility, walking trails, meditation areas, outdoor recreation, courtyards and gathering spaces, and direct access to the Mississippi River.For our clinical team, that means more opportunities to engage clients beyond the counseling office and to be part of a treatment community built around stability, connection, personal growth, and long-term recovery.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
- Serve as the primary substance use disorder clinician for an assigned caseload within a co-occurring treatment program, providing individualized, client-centered care throughout the treatment experience.
- Provide clinical interventions that support substance use recovery, relapse prevention, emotional wellness, and the development of healthy coping skills.
- Complete comprehensive assessments and develop individualized treatment plans that reflect each client's clinical needs, strengths, goals, and barriers to recovery.
- Provide clinical interventions that support substance use recovery, relapse prevention, emotional wellness, and the development of healthy coping skills.
- Collaborate with mental health clinicians, medical providers, nursing, treatment coordination, peer recovery services, and other disciplines to provide coordinated care for clients with co-occurring needs.
- Actively participate in clinical staffing and treatment team meetings, communicating client progress, barriers, clinical observations, and recommendations.
- Lead continuing-care and discharge planning, coordinating appropriate services and resources to support successful transitions and continued recovery.
- Complete required clinical documentation accurately and within established timeframes, in accordance with licensing, regulatory, and organizational requirements.
Individual Counseling
- Provide individual, client-centered substance use disorder counseling responsive to each client's clinical needs, treatment goals, strengths, and barriers to recovery.
- Utilize evidence-based therapeutic approaches to increase insight, strengthen motivation, support behavior change, and develop skills that promote sustained recovery.
- Help clients understand the relationship between substance use, co-occurring mental health symptoms, life experiences, relationships, and behavioral patterns and how these factors influence recovery.
- Continually evaluate progress and emerging clinical needs, adapting therapeutic interventions to support meaningful progress toward treatment goals.
- Support clients in developing effective coping strategies, strengthening recovery supports, and building the skills necessary for long-term stability and recovery.
Group Therapy
- Facilitate client-centered therapeutic and psychoeducational groups addressing substance use disorders, co-occurring mental health needs, recovery, and behavior change.
- Create a clinically focused group environment that promotes participation, self-reflection, peer connection, accountability, and development of practical recovery skills.
- Utilize evidence-based interventions to help clients recognize patterns of substance use, identify relapse risks and triggers, strengthen coping strategies, and develop skills that support continued recovery.
- Adapt group content and interventions based on client needs, treatment goals, clinical presentation, and stages of change.
Crisis Intervention & Clinical Support
- Assess and respond to acute emotional, behavioral, and substance use-related concerns, providing crisis intervention, de-escalation, and clinical support within the LADC scope of practice.
- Recognize significant changes in client presentation, functioning, risk factors, or treatment engagement and respond with appropriate clinical intervention and escalation.
- Support clients through periods of increased vulnerability by reinforcing coping strategies, recovery skills, treatment engagement, and available supports.
- Communicate emerging concerns promptly to appropriate members of the treatment team to support client safety and continuity of care.
Multidisciplinary Treatment Team
- Partner across the multidisciplinary treatment team to integrate substance use disorder treatment with mental health, medical, nursing, care coordination, and recovery services.
- Participate in clinical staffing and treatment team meetings to review client progress, identify emerging needs and barriers, and coordinate interventions across disciplines.
- Maintain ongoing communication with the treatment team to ensure substance use, mental health, medical, and recovery needs are addressed through a cohesive treatment approach.
Required
- Current Minnesota Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LADC) license in good standing.
- Minimum 3 years providing substance use disorder treatment, including individual counseling and group facilitation within a DHS licensed program
- Experience working with individuals with co-occurring substance use and mental health disorders.
- Knowledge of evidence-based substance use disorder treatment approaches, including motivational interviewing, relapse prevention, and stages of change.
- Ability to work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary behavioral health treatment team.
- Demonstrated ability to maintain strong therapeutic boundaries while providing compassionate, accountable, client-centered care.
- Proficiency with electronic medical record/electronic health record (EMR/EHR) systems and a strong understanding of HIPAA requirements.
- Knowledge of Minnesota Statutes Chapter 245G and other applicable regulatory requirements.
Preferred
- 5+ years providing substance use disorder treatment, including individual counseling and group facilitation within a DHS licensed program
- Advanced training or experience in co-occurring disorders, trauma-informed care, motivational interviewing, crisis intervention, or other evidence-based treatment modalities.
- Strong group facilitation skills and experience delivering a variety of therapeutic and psychoeducational programming.
- Experience working across a continuum of care, including transitions between residential, intensive outpatient, and community-based services.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $72,000.00 - $80,000.00 per year
Ability to Relocate:
- Otsego, MN 55362: Relocate before starting work (Required)
Work Location: In person
