Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Counselor

JOB SUMMARY: Under general supervision, the Clinician provides a full continuum of outpatient Substance Use Disorder (SUD) treatment services, including assessments, intakes, diagnoses, placement determinations, and referral recommendations. The Clinician also provides individual counseling, group counseling, and case management services to youth, adults, and their families.

In addition, the Clinician participates in the planning and development of innovative, culturally relevant alcohol and drug prevention activities for youth and adults. The ideal candidate is compassionate, nonjudgmental, culturally responsive, and committed to ethical and professional standards, including confidentiality and informed consent.

RESPONSIBILITIES: This list is intended to illustrate the general types of work performed in this position. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. The omission of specific statements does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment.

• Work independently and as a member of the Behavioral Health team to provide individual evaluations, assessments, treatment referrals, prevention interventions, urinalysis testing, and coordination of care across inpatient, outpatient, and continuing care services.
• Provide substance use disorder treatment services to individuals, groups, and families, including motivational interviewing and assessment of immediate client needs to ensure access to appropriate services.
• Maintain knowledge of and adhere to a professional code of ethics, especially regarding confidentiality, informed consent, and professional boundaries.
• Safeguard confidential information in accordance with 42 CFR and other applicable laws and regulations, and understand the legal consequences of breaching confidentiality.
• Demonstrate knowledge of historical and intergenerational trauma and its effects on human psychology and behavior.
• Maintain active engagement with patients and families, with no less than 50% of work time dedicated to direct clinical services, including SUD assessments, individual sessions, psychoeducational groups, and education and prevention activities.
• Identify, establish, and maintain collaborative working relationships with community resources to support client care and recovery.
• Maintain patient records using required forms and prescribed agency formats in compliance with Washington Administrative Code (WAC).
• Report suspected child abuse, elder abuse, domestic violence, and threats of harm to the appropriate authorities, and collaborate with CPS, local law enforcement, and MCFS to ensure the safety of affected individuals and families.
• Provide occasional on-call crisis response for Behavioral Health clients during assigned evenings and weekends.
• Use various computer software programs, including electronic health record systems, to support service delivery and documentation.
• Work flexible hours, including occasional evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays, to support agency functions such as IOP or evening groups, community health education events, crisis response, and outreach/prevention activities.
• Participate as part of an integrated care team, including collaborative care planning with other departments.
• Consistently implement established agency policies, protocols, and treatment procedures regarding assigned patients.
• Work effectively under stressful and demanding conditions and respond professionally and appropriately during crises.
• Travel as required for job-related duties, training, and program development activities.
• Provide services related to youth and teen smoking cessation, early intervention, and substance use prevention.
• Communicate effectively both verbally and in writing, and prepare reports, case summaries, and correspondence in a clear, concise, and professional manner.
• Document all treatment services, including direct services and case management activities, in a timely and accurate manner.
• Apply evidence-based interventions in clinical practice.
• Demonstrate experience with Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) services and harm reduction approaches.
• Travel as needed to provide offsite services in the community, schools, clients’ homes, or other designated locations.
• May supervise Certified Peer Counselors.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, AND TRAINING

Required:

• Must hold a valid Washington State Substance Use Disorder Professional (SUDP) license.
• Must possess a valid and current Washington State driver’s license.
• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field of study from an accredited college or university. Consideration may be given to an associate degree when combined with two (2) years of direct clinical experience within the Solace Clinic
• Minimum of three (3) years of experience as an SUDP in clinical settings.
• Must pass pre-employment urinalysis testing and a criminal background check.
• No substance use within the last five (5) years.
• Strong familiarity with telemedicine/telehealth platforms, computer systems, and electronic health records.

Preferred:

• Master’s degree in psychology, social work, human growth and development, or a closely related field.
• Knowledge of the Medicine Wheel concept and its application as a treatment model.
• Knowledge of relapse prevention planning, domestic violence prevention, parenting skills, and craving-reduction strategies.
• Familiarity with the twelve core functions, continuum of care, treatment theories and models, and the 12-step movement.
• Knowledge of youth and adult treatment and intervention models and techniques.
• Experience assisting with community events, training, and presentations.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.
• Knowledge of childhood development and family systems.

SPECIFIC SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE, AND ABILITIES REQUIRED FOR THE POSITION

Knowledge of:

• The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) and its application in therapy and diagnosis.
• Chemical dependency treatment field resources, materials, and techniques.
• Medication-assisted treatment modalities.
• WAC 388-805.
• Holistic assessment techniques, including ASAM criteria.
• Relapse prevention planning.
• The criminal justice system and criminal behavior.
• Suicide warning signs, lethality assessment, and mental illness.

Skill in:

• Managing aggressive and/or violent clients.
• Administering and interpreting testing instruments such as SASSI and urinalysis results.
• Conducting chemical dependency assessments and motivational interviews.
• Adapting therapeutic interventions to meet the needs of individual clients.
• Defusing hostile or violent behavior.

Ability to:

• Communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
• Work effectively with minimal supervision.
• Maintain confidentiality.
• Relate effectively to individuals from a variety of social, economic, and cultural backgrounds.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTSThe working conditions described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential duties of this position. While performing the duties of this job, the employee must be physically active up to 75% of the time, including standing, lifting, pushing, pulling, and reaching. The position also requires manual dexterity of the hands and fingers for writing and computer input. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.

Pay: $26.35 - $31.73 per hour

Benefits:

• Flexible schedule
• Paid time off

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Kent, WA 98032

Salary : $26 - $32