Substance Use Counselor

Reports To: Director of Recovery Services

Job Family: Behavioral Health Providers

FLSA Status: Exempt

Supervisor: No

Hours

8:00am - 4:30pm, M-F

Location: Main Clinic, In-Person and On-Site

Overview

Working as part of the Behavioral Health team, the Substance Use Counselor provides outpatient substance use disorder (SUD) treatment and recovery support services to youth and adults experiencing homelessness. This role engages individuals who use substances with a trauma-informed, client-centered approach that prioritizes dignity, autonomy, and practical strategies to improve health and safety. Services are delivered across multiple Health Care for the Homeless locations, including fixed-site clinics, mobile clinics, and community-based settings, to meet clients where they are and reduce barriers to care.

• Key Role Responsibilities
• Provides substance use and behavioral health assessments and interventions that support the client’s overall health and well-being, using a harm reduction, trauma-informed, and non-judgmental approach that respects client autonomy and lived experience.
• Engages and re-engages clients in services across clinic, mobile, and community settings, helping to reduce barriers to care and support ongoing connection to treatment.
• Provides individual counseling and group counseling, supporting clients in identifying goals related to safer substance use, treatment, or recovery based on their readiness for change.
• Conducts screening, triage, intake, assessment, and referrals to appropriate levels of care including detoxification, residential treatment, outpatient services, and recovery support when desired by the client.
• Facilitates groups designed to engage clients with substance use or co-occurring disorders, promote health and safety, and support movement along the continuum of change.
• Participates actively on an integrated, multidisciplinary care team to develop and implement individualized treatment plans using SMART goals that reflect client priorities and needs.
• Contributes to interdisciplinary case conferences and care coordination to support holistic care for clients.