Job Description

Summary: The Counselor III role is responsible for overseeing all aspects of a patient’s treatment, ensuring coordination and continuity of care from admission through discharge and follow-up. This position supports performance improvement and service delivery by providing comprehensive psychological therapy aimed at addressing the causes and effects of addiction.

Responsibilities:

• Provide orientation to new patients regarding program rules, policies, procedures, and patient rights.
• Conduct intakes, discharge planning, initial assessments, and treatment plans within required time guidelines.
• Engage patients in assessment, treatment planning, and intervention aspects of their care.
• Administer biopsychosocial assessments at intake and on an ongoing basis.
• Utilize patient’s Strengths, Needs, Ability, and Preferences (SNAP) to develop individualized treatment plans.
• Assess clinical necessity for counseling services based on evaluations.
• Monitor and document patient progress, identifying and addressing early relapse indicators.

Required Education and Experience:

• Certification as an Alcohol and Other Drug Counselor through a CA-approved agency OR current credentials as licensed or license-eligible with the Board of Behavioral Sciences or the Board of Psychology.
• Proof of licensure or certification by a state-approved regulatory agency required upon employment.
• Strong clinical skills, particularly in complex cases.

Preferred Education and Experience:

• certification as an Alcohol and Other Drug Counselor, or equivalent licensure.
• Credentials such as SUDCC III, SUDCC II, SUDCC, LPC, ACSW, LCSW, LMFT, AMFT, CADC III, CADC II, CADC I.
• Minimum six months of experience in a Counselor III role and at least 1.5 years of experience as a Counselor II (if applicable).
• Average of five hours of face-to-face patient contact per day over the last six months.
• Maintained regulatory and clinical compliance for the past six months.
• Compliance with continuing education requirements set by regulatory agencies.
• Initial training as a caseload manager/counselor trainee (for Kern and Fresno County clinics only).

Skills and Abilities:

• Patient evaluation, treatment planning, and counseling.
• Knowledge of substance use, abuse, and addiction treatment.
• Strong organization and time management skills.
• Effective communication, both written and verbal.
• Professional demeanor with strong customer service skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office programs.

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