SUD Counselor

Emend Healthcare provides comprehensive addiction and mental health treatment at multiple locations across the country. Each center is designed to deliver a full continuum of care, from medically supervised detox to residential and outpatient programs, ensuring clients can access the support they need wherever they are. With a focus on personalized treatment and compassionate care, Emend’s facilities offer safe, welcoming environments where individuals can begin their journey to lasting recovery.

At Emend Healthcare Company AK LLC, ("Emend AK"), an integral part of Emend, we are dedicated to supporting individuals on their journey to lasting wellness. Our team combines expertise, compassion, and personalized care to help clients navigate mental health challenges and substance use recovery. We focus on creating a safe, nurturing environment where every person can build the skills, resilience, and confidence needed to thrive. Through evidence-based treatment, innovative programs, and a commitment to holistic well-being, we empower clients to achieve meaningful, lasting change.

Position Summary

The SUD Counselor provides direct clinical and recovery-oriented services to individuals seeking treatment for substance use disorders. This position is responsible for conducting assessments, developing individualized treatment plans, facilitating counseling services, and supporting client progress throughout treatment.

Working as part of a multidisciplinary treatment team, the SUD Counselor helps clients build recovery skills, address barriers to treatment, and achieve their treatment goals. This position maintains compliance with regulatory and organizational requirements while promoting a safe, therapeutic, and client-centered environment.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Conduct substance use disorder assessments, ASAM assessments, screening tools, and related clinical evaluations to support treatment planning and service recommendations.
• Develop, implement, and maintain individualized treatment plans.
• Provide individual counseling sessions and document client progress.
• Facilitate a variety of therapeutic, psychoeducational, and recovery-oriented groups designed to support client engagement, skill development, relapse prevention, and long-term recovery.
• Monitor client progress and update treatment plans as clinically indicated.
• Participate in multidisciplinary treatment team meetings, client staffing, and discharge planning.
• Provide crisis intervention and support during client emergencies or behavioral health concerns.
• Maintain timely, accurate, and complete clinical documentation in accordance with Medicaid requirements, Joint Commission standards, and organizational policies.
• Utilize ASAM criteria to support level of care recommendations and treatment planning decisions.
• Coordinate with referral sources, family members, outside providers, and community resources when appropriate.
• Maintain confidentiality and ethical standards in accordance with HIPAA, credentialing requirements, and organizational policies.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Position Requirements and Expectations

• Working knowledge of ASAM Criteria and substance use disorder treatment practices.
• Skilled in facilitating individual counseling, therapeutic groups, and recovery-oriented group services.
• Ability to develop treatment plans and documenting client progress.
• Ability to complete assessments, treatment planning, discharge planning, and related clinical documentation.
• Knowledge of recovery-oriented care and evidence-based treatment approaches.
• Strong written, verbal, organizational, and documentation skills.
• Commitment to maintaining professional boundaries and ethical standards of practice.
• Ability to work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary treatment environment.

Preferred Experience

• Experience working within residential treatment, outpatient treatment, detoxification, or co-occurring disorder treatment settings.
• Experience facilitating recovery-oriented groups and psychoeducational programming.
• Familiarity with 12-Step recovery models, SMART Recovery, Wellbriety, and other recovery support approaches preferred.
• Knowledge of Alaska Medicaid documentation standards and behavioral health regulations.

Education Requirements

• CDC I, II, III, or CDCS.
• Candidates actively working toward CDC certification may be considered based on experience.
• Bachelor's degree in Behavioral Health, Human Services, Psychology, Social Work, Counseling, or a related field.
• Combination of education, certification, and experience may be considered.