SUD Counselor - Day
DESC·Seattle, Washington
DESC·Seattle, Washington
Perform substance use assessments and develop integrated treatment plans for clients experiencing homelessness and co-occurring mental health disorders. Facilitate support groups and collaborate with a multi-disciplinary team to ensure continuity of care and access to community resources.
DESC operates five shelter/emergency housing programs,19 permanent supportive housing facilities with over 1,750 units, several hundred additional scattered site apartments, and a range of behavioral health services including outpatient mental health and substance use disorder treatment, residential crisis stabilization, street outreach, mobile crisis response, and treatment for opioid use disorder.
The Substance Use Disorder Professional Trainee (SUDPT) trains under a Substance Use Disorder Professional (SUD) who works cooperatively with agency staff & community resources to provide a range of services to clients with drug & alcohol problems. Many clients have a sustained and/or complicated substance abuse history in addition to their co-occurring mental disorder. Often people suffering from mental illness who lack access to psychiatric treatment, attempt to self-medicate with street drugs or alcohol to lessen the symptoms. The ability to provide highly integrated services to people with concurrent mental health and substance use concerns is rare among homeless service providers. At DESC, our network of clinical services allows counselors to work in coordination with mental health case managers in both the emergency shelter and in supportive housing projects so that services meet clients at their current level and offer the support that can lead to significant change.
Perform alcohol and drug assessments, and intake evaluations on selected clients; with the client’s participation, develop support and treatment plans; facilitate linkages to collaborative resources when appropriate. Plan, organize and facilitate treatment and support groups for clients, as appropriate. Provide substance abuse consultation to Mental Health Program and Housing Program staff. Provide staff training on substance abuse issues as appropriate. Participate as a member of a multi-disciplinary team providing ongoing advocacy and integration of services to mentally ill, homeless and formerly homeless adults. Advocate for client access to community resources and services, ensuring that client needs are met and rights maintained; consult and collaborate with community providers to ensure continuity of care. Participate in psychiatric consultation, supervision, program meetings and in-service trainings; participate in clinical reviews and case conferences for clients on caseload. Comply with the agency's clinical accountability policies and procedures; maintain current and complete clinical records; participate in quality assurance reviews when assigned. Comply with data gathering/submission requirements of DESC and reimbursement agencies. Comply with applicable program research and evaluation procedures. Other duties as assigned.
Support your clients with achieving and maintaining healthy living conditions. This can include but is not limited to attending care conferences related to living conditions, outreaching and supporting clients in their residential units with tools and skills to maintain their units, coordinating with housing staff, participating in cleaning out clients’ units, and documenting barriers to maintaining healthy living conditions.
Licensed by the State of Washington as a Substance Use Disorder Professional or Substance Use Disorder Professional Trainee in good standing. For SUDPT: Attested to the WA State Department of Health that the applicant is currently enrolled in an educational program to meet the educational requirements of a SUDP. The requirement for full licensure is an associate degree. Ability to drive an agency or personal vehicle to conduct agency related business. A current Washington State driver's license and insurable driving record are required. Interest or experience in working with clients who are difficult to engage and maintain in traditional mental health programs. Ability to communicate and work effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds. Subscribe to the philosophy of cooperation and continuity across programs and of consideration and respect for clients.
Bi-cultural and/or bilingual background/experience. Experience working with adults experiencing homelessness and severe mental illness. PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those required to perform essential functions. Reasonable accommodation may be made. While performing duties, the employee may sit for long periods, lift up to 40 pounds, operate computers, and communicate with others. Vision requirements include close and distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
DESC is committed to diversity in the workplace and promotes equal employment opportunities for all staff members and applicants. The Agency will not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race, creed, color, sex, gender, sexual orientation, age, national origin, caste, marital status, or the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability in any employment practice, unless based on a bona fide occupational qualification. Minorities and veterans are encouraged to apply.
Market context
Behavioral health positions in Washington are typically supported by steady demand from outpatient, community, and telehealth settings. These roles are competitive because employers often look for a current unrestricted clinical license, experience with evidence-based therapy, and the ability to work from a HIPAA-compliant home office. Review the AI-summarized requirements and benefits here to quickly confirm fit, then verify your license status and prepare examples of your therapy approach before applying.