The Substance Use Disorder Counselor is responsible for the delivery of compassionate and trauma informed services to clients residing in our recovery homes. Victory Programs’ Recovery Division provides residential settings that address substance use disorders, co-occurring mental health concerns, and other chronic health conditions. The Substance Use Disorder Counselor reports to the Clinical Supervisor or their designee for support and supervision.

Location: Shepherd House is a 4-8 month residential treatment program for 32 women with substance use disorders in Dorchester providing a bridge between treatment and re-integration into community living.

Essential functions:

• Act in accordance with Victory Programs, Inc.’s Standards of Excellence & Philosophy of Care at all times including maintaining professional ethics, boundaries and client confidentiality.
• Provide individual counseling/case management sessions totaling 1 hour per week to a minimum case load of 8 clients on a weekly basis, throughout their stay at the program.
• Develop, implement, and facilitate and/or co-facilitate psycho-educational client groups and complete required documentation.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date documentation and record keeping, including but not limited to: biopsychosocial assessment, treatment planning, re-assessment; progress notes; case management; consent forms; data collection and aftercare planning.
• Maintain current working knowledge of referral sources such as housing, medical, outpatient counseling, dental, legal, self-help groups and others to provide comprehensive services to the program clients.
• Communicate effectively with the clients, treatment team and any other individuals or agencies involved in the clients’ treatment.
• Provide milieu coverage as needed, including: maintaining and assessing the integrity of the program’s therapeutic milieu; empowering clients to act in accordance with the guidelines of the program; assisting clients in self-administration of medications; conducting controlled substance counts; answering phones and the front door.

Non-Essential Functions:

• Participate and support the agency in program events, State House rallies, fundraising and advocacy events, rallies, walks and any additional functions.
• Perform any other duty or task that may be requested from time to time by your supervisor or their designee.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree.
• Or a certificate from a recognized counseling program or course of instruction and a minimum of one year of work experience in the field of substance use and/or mental health;
• Or 3 years’ relevant work experience in the field of substance use, and/or mental health.
• Ability to work effectively with individuals of diverse race/ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, sex and drug cultures, age groups, religion, country of origin, disability and economic status.
• Ability to relate to clients in an instructive, supportive, and compassionate manner.
• Excellent verbal communication skills including an ability to have open and affirming conversations.
• Strong computer, organizational, writing, and communication skills.
• Must be CPR certified (may be obtained upon hire)
• Completed TB screening (may be obtained upon hire).
• Three work related professional references; at least 1 from manager or supervisor.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience facilitating groups and individual counseling.
• Ability to work independently and cooperatively as a member of the treatment team.
• Working knowledge of HIV/AIDS and viral hepatitis, homelessness, substance use, STIs, and sex work as well as health-related social issues faced by persons who use drugs.

Hours: Full Time (40 hours) Tuesday-Saturday 7am-3pm

Rate: $25.00/hour

Victory Programs values a diverse workforce, as we collectively seek to create welcoming, inclusive and accessible environments for our employees and the people we serve. We strive to sustain healthy, functioning communities that respect and celebrate different experiences, identities, cultures and ideas.

Victory Programs has helped individuals and families in crisis for 45 years. Thousands turn to us yearly for shelter, sustenance, recovery, care, and professional, compassionate support. Most struggle with homelessness, substance use and mental health, and many live with HIV/AIDS. Our team of more than 250 staff across 21 programs works with people to develop and execute creative, safe solutions to the very real challenges our clients face.

Our benefit program includes a 75% health and 25% dental employer premium contribution, 100% employer paid disability and life insurances, 19 days of earned time in your first year, sick time, personal days, tuition remission, and a retirement savings opportunity.