POSITION OVERVIEW:
The Substance Use Specialist I/II provides direct services within HHCLA’s Substance Use Disorder Outpatient Integrated Treatment Program (ITP). ITP is a multidisciplinary outpatient SUD treatment program serving adults experiencing homelessness and housing instability with substance use disorders, often alongside co-occurring mental health and medical conditions. The Substance Use Specialist delivers outpatient substance use counseling, screenings and assessments, treatment planning, and case management using a harm reduction, trauma-informed, and low-threshold approach. This role works collaboratively as part of a multidisciplinary treatment team, which may include mental health clinicians, medical providers, MAT prescribers, and peers to ensure coordinated and continuous care. The position includes active coordination with Medication for Addiction Treatment (MAT) services, supporting client engagement, education, and retention in MAT while honoring client autonomy and self-identified goals. The Substance Use Specialist plays a critical role in engaging clients who may be ambivalent about treatment and supporting pathways toward improved health, stability, and housing.
PRINICIPAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:
· Provide outpatient substance use counseling services, including individual and group counseling, utilizing harm reduction, motivational interviewing, and trauma-informed approaches.
· Conduct comprehensive substance use assessments and screenings using ASAM criteria, incorporating consideration of co-occurring mental health needs.
· Complete intake and enrollment processes, including education on treatment options, MAT services, and client rights.
· Develop, implement, and regularly update individualized treatment goals in collaboration with clients and the multidisciplinary team.
· Support client engagement with Medication for Addiction Treatment (MAT) by coordinating care with medical providers, reinforcing education, and addressing barriers to adherence and retention.
· Provide crisis intervention and brief stabilization support as needed within the outpatient setting.
· All services may be offered in clinic and in field-based settings.
· Actively participate as a member of a multidisciplinary treatment team, collaborating with mental health clinicians, medical providers, peers, and case managers and participate in case conferences, treatment team meetings, and clinical coordination.
· Provide case management services and coordinate referrals and warm handoffs to internal and external services, including mental health care, primary care, psychiatry, housing programs, detox/residential treatment, and social services.
· Utilize harm reduction–based engagement strategies to support retention of clients with complex needs, active substance use, and ambivalence toward treatment.
· Support group activities, client events, and educational programming that enhance engagement and community connection.
· Complete all clinical documentation, treatment plans, and progress notes in the Electronic Health Record (EHR) in accordance with SAPC, Title 9, and HHCLA documentation standards, within required timelines.
· Implements and consistently practices harm reduction, trauma informed care, housing first and integrated care interventions.
· Able to serve a diverse vulnerable client populations and communicate effectively in a culturally competent manner.
· Able to work in a multi-disciplinary team environment, utilizing professional, open and respectful communication. Maintains a solution focused, strengths based and client centered approach with managers, co-workers and clients of HHCLA.
· Ensure performance management standards are met through ongoing supervision addressing barriers as they arise.
· Maintains client records according to HIPAA and adheres to all client confidentiality requirements and standards, including 42 CFR Part 2.
· Complies and maintains familiarity with agency and program policies and procedures and other applicable regulations.
· Attends and participates in supervision, staff meetings, trainings, conferences, workshops, and special projects to promote professional development.
· Models HHCLA approach, mission and core values in all communication, correspondence, community events, coalitions and advocacy efforts.
· Report to work on time and maintains reliable and regular attendance.
· Maintains current licensing and/or certification as required for position.
· Other duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS & SKILLS:
REQUIRED:
Education and Work Experience:
· Bachelor’s degree and/or equivalent combination of education and experience.
· Must be registered or certified by a Certifying Organization that is approved by the Department of Alcohol and Drug Programs (e.g. CAADE, CADTP or CCAPP) in the field of substance use and addiction treatment.
· At least two (2) years of experience working in addiction/substance use counseling, homeless services or intensive case management services.
· Ability to meet all SAPC and Title 9 training, certification, and continuing education requirements
Knowledge and Skills:
· Familiar with the principles of Harm Reduction, Motivational Interviewing, Trauma Informed Care, Housing First and Integrated Care.
· Experience working with culturally diverse communities and vulnerable populations.
· Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from clients, office personnel, other employees and the general public.
· Ability to work in fast-paced, high energy environment.
· Ability to define problems and use critical thinking skills to identify solutions.
· Ability to work independently and with others – including other employees, clients and members of the public -- in face-to-face and telephonic contexts.
· Ability to multi-task, establish priorities and manage time, meet deadlines and perform duties under time constraints.
· Ability to be flexible and adapt to changing work demands.
· Maintain high level of concentration and attention to detail for extended periods of time.
· Ability to respond effectively to sensitive inquiries or concerns.
· Maintain a high level of ethical and professional standards in accordance with agency policies.
· Computer literate (basic working knowledge of Microsoft WORD, Excel, and Outlook) and data/electronic records.
· Must possess a valid California Driver’s License, properly registered vehicle and insurance and ability to travcl between sites as needed.
Certificates, Licenses, Registrations:
· Registered or certified by a Certifying Organization that is approved by the Department of Alcohol and Drug Programs (e.g. CAADE, CADTP or CCAPP) in the field of substance use and addiction treatment.
· Additionally, per contractual requirements, all registered and certified counselors must be able to meet all SAPC and Title 9 training, certification, and continuing education requirements, including educational requirements for registered counselors.
· Proof of completion of coursework or continuing education will need to be provided to the supervisor and kept in staff files.
· All registered counselors must complete the certification process within five (5) years from the date of becoming registered.
· Maintain active registration, certification or licensure status according to the requirements set forth by their respective credentialing
PREFERRED:
· Strong written skills.
· Bilingual and bicultural.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED:
Staff success and professional development is a priority at HHCLA. Staff will receive weekly individual supervision with their direct supervisor. Additionally, direct service staff will have the opportunity to participate in group supervision, which provides a learning and supportive environment to promote quality client care, self-care and a healthy work environment.
ORGANIZATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS/INTERACTION:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily; help maintain a health work environment, initiates and maintains professional interactions and communication with HHCLA employees and/or others, and interacts with all levels of organizational staff and management; outside auditors, community partners and/or vendors.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee must be able to use hands to produce records and/or documentation in manual or electronic format. The employee is frequently required to stand and sit. There is one flight of stairs that must be climbed to the 2nd floor at the Beverly location. There is no elevator access within the office. The employee must possess ability to ensure significant communication with HHCLA’s community members. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally move or lift up to 25 pounds. The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
PSYCHOLOGICAL EXPECTATIONS:
Employee and client safety is top priority at HHCLA. While the Harm Reduction approach has proven highly effective in providing preemptive techniques for ensuring non-confrontational and dignifying engagements with clients, low threshold programming lends itself to employees that have a higher threshold for working in high stress environments with clients who present escalated behavior.
WORK ENVIRONMENT:
While the harm reduction and nonjudgmental approach allows HHCLA to care for members of the highly vulnerable population who have been largely dismissed by other agencies and programs, this approach also entails caring for clients with complex needs related to homelessness, active substance use, mental health conditions that can present more challenging situations. The work environment thus includes clients who sometimes present in an escalated state or who may be experiencing psychological distress, such as thoughts or plans of suicide or homicide. Staff with a low tolerance for escalated or vulnerable behavior such as this or with minimal experience with de-escalation may find this work environment challenging and/or inconsistent with their standard for a suitable workplace
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. While performing the duties of this job, must be available to work irregular hours, shifts, weekends, holidays. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. Employee will constantly work in indoor and outdoor weather conditions.
AMERICANS WITH DISABILITY SPECIFICATIONS:
There is one flight of stairs that must be climbed to the 2nd floor at the Beverly Site location. There is no elevator access within the office.
A review of this description has excluded the marginal functions of the position that are incidental to job performance of the fundamental job duties. All duties and requirements are essential job functions. This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by this employee. I will be required to follow any other instructions and to perform any other duties as requested by my Supervisor. I understand that nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.
I have received, read and understood this Job Description and have been provided a copy for my personal information.
Pay: $23.00 - $33.00 per hour
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Retirement plan
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
