Drug & Alcohol Counselor (63261)

Our Mission, Vision, & Model of Care

At Union Community Care, our purpose is at the forefront of all that we do: we stand for whole health to help you live your fullest life.

We envision vibrant and healthy communities supported by inclusive healthcare that embraces each member’s unique culture, needs, and values, and emboldens them to make healthful choices that fuel their well-being and the well-being of others.

We believe in whole health. This means we address and heal disease but equally important, we work at the causes of the causes, the social ills that must be addressed to achieve true equity.

We listen, learn, and embrace the complex lives and unique strengths of our patients, and we work hard to break down all barriers to care. This means we look through a grassroots lens. We connect with our communities because we are our communities. Each of us is a neighbor, a friend, a family member, and together, we are a trusted community health center.

JOB SUMMARY

The Drug & Alcohol Counselor position is classified as an essential role and requires employees to report to work on-site during scheduled shifts, including holidays. Drug & Alcohol Counselors are also expected to fulfill their duties during public health crises, pandemics, and severe weather conditions, unless otherwise directed by management. Drug and Alcohol Counselors may be required to provide coverage at other Union Community Care-Drug & Alcohol facilities as needed to ensure continuity of services during periods of staffing shortages.

The Drug & Alcohol counselor collaborates with interdisciplinary treatment teams and internal and external service providers to ensure coordinated, high-quality care. Responsibilities also include participating in case reviews, monitoring client progress, and supporting continuity of care throughout the treatment process.

The Drug & Alcohol counselor is responsible for maintaining complete, accurate, and timely clinical records, ensuring that all assessments, treatment plans, progress notes, aftercare plans, and other required documentation are completed in accordance with established regulatory and agency timelines.

All services must be delivered in compliance with Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP) regulations, including applicable Chapters 704 and 709 of the Pennsylvania Code, ASAM Criteria, agency policies and procedures, and all federal and state confidentiality requirements, including HIPAA and 42 CFR Part 2.

SPECIFIC JOB DUTIES

1. Maintain a daily caseload of approximately 5–8 clients in residential setting or no more than 35 clients in outpatient setting according to PA Code 704.12. FTE maximum client to counselor ratios; fostering therapeutic relationships and providing ongoing clinical support throughout the treatment process.
2. Obtain prior authorizations from client funding sources to ensure timely access to approved treatment services.
3. Provide individual counseling services utilizing evidence-based practices, including relapse prevention, recovery planning, motivational interviewing, cognitive-behavioral interventions, and harm reduction education, when clinically appropriate.
4. Plan, facilitate, and document psychoeducational and therapeutic group counseling sessions. Promote active client participation and engagement while addressing topics such as substance use disorders, relapse prevention, coping strategies, recovery management, life skills development, emotional regulation, and overall wellness.
5. Provide family counseling and educational services, as clinically indicated and with appropriate client consent. Facilitate effective communication between clients and family members to support recovery goals and educate families on addiction, treatment processes, relapse prevention, and available recovery resources.
6. Maintain accurate, timely, and comprehensive clinical records in compliance with DDAP regulations, agency policies, HIPAA requirements, and 42 CFR Part 2 confidentiality standards.
7. Complete clinical assessments, treatment plans, progress notes, discharge summaries, and all other required documentation in accordance with regulatory and agency standards.
8. Ensure all clinical documentation accurately reflects services provided and client progress toward established treatment goals and objectives.
9. Coordinate care and services with healthcare providers, community agencies, referral sources, probation/parole officers, and other treatment professionals, as appropriate.
10. Advocate for client needs and facilitate continuity of care throughout all phases of treatment and recovery support services.
11. Assess and appropriately respond to client crises, including relapse episodes, behavioral health emergencies, and safety-related concerns.
12. Participate in staff meetings, clinical supervision, case reviews, training programs, and agency-sponsored professional development activities.
13. Adhere to ethical standards and professional practices consistent with counseling and substance use disorder treatment disciplines.
14. Safeguard client confidentiality and protected health information in accordance with HIPAA and 42 CFR Part 2 regulations.
15. Maintain applicable professional licenses, certifications, and credentials.
16. Performs other work-related duties as assigned.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS

• Each counselor shall meet at least one of the following groups of qualifications PA Code 704.7.:

A Master’s Degree or above from an accredited college with a major in chemical dependency, psychology, social work, counseling, or other related field which includes a practicum in a drug and alcohol setting; or

A Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college with a major in chemical dependency, psychology, social work, counseling, or other related field and 1 year of clinical experience (a minimum of 1,820 hours) in a drug and alcohol setting or

An Associate Degree from an accredited college with a major in chemical dependency, psychology, social work, counseling, nursing (with a clinical specialty in the human services) or other related field and 2 years of clinical experience (a minimum of 3,640 hours) in a health or human service agency, preferably in a drug and alcohol setting or

Current licensure in this Commonwealth as a registered nurse and a degree from an accredited school of nursing and 1 year of counseling experience (a minimum of 1,820 hours) in a health or human service agency, preferably in a drug and alcohol setting or 

Full certification as an addiction counselor by a statewide certification body which is a member of a National certification body or certification by another state government’s substance abuse counseling certification board.

• Certificates, licenses, registrations: PA Child Abuse Clearance, PA Criminal Background, FBI clearances, CPR/ First AID,

• Bilingual Spanish/English

• Knowledge of and experience using ASAM criteria 3^rd Edition, strong computer skills, filing, and recordkeeping skills; ability to work independently yet is a team player; excellent customer relations; able to communicate well with diverse groups of individuals; good organizational skills.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

In order to fulfill the requirements of this position, duties 1-16 are considered essential functions of the job.

ORGANIZATIONAL INVOLVEMENT

This position is required to participate in mandatory all staff meetings, team meetings and trainings.