Substance Use Counselor
Illumination Health + Home·Anaheim, California
Illumination Health + Home·Anaheim, California
The Substance Use Counselor provides client services in shelters and recuperative care facilities using a harm reduction model. Responsibilities include conducting evaluations, leading therapeutic group activities, and collaborating with a multidisciplinary team to ensure high-quality behavioral health care.
“Every person deserves compassion, dignity, and the safety of a place to call home.” Homelessness is the largest social and public health crisis in California. Illumination Health + Home is a growing non-profit organization dedicated towards disrupting the cycle of homelessness by providing targeted, interdisciplinary services in our recuperative care centers, emergency shelters, housing services and children's and family programs. IF currently has 13+ facilities with 22+ micro-communities scattered across Orange County, Los Angeles County and the Inland Empire.
The Substance Use Counselor (SUC) will provide client services in a shelter or recuperative care facility by utilizing a harm reduction model approach. Harm reduction takes a health rather than a disease perspective, a compassionate and humane rather than a moralistic, not a punitive perspective on why people use drugs and how they get into trouble. Harm reduction brings substance misuse into the realm of mainstream health care and releases it from the clutches of the criminal justice system and from programs that preach zero tolerance for substance misuse.
The pay offered for this role is $27 per hour. The schedule for this role is Sunday - Thursday, 10:00am to 6:30pm.
Substance Use Counselor will use a harm reduction approach to help motivate clients towards abstinence as their goal, or a substantial reduction to drug or alcohol consumption SUC will initiate client evaluations upon admission, substance use assessment, care planning, and goal setting Collaborates (on a need-to-know basis) with the multidisciplinary team members, including medical, case management, food service and transportation regarding client’s behavioral health needs, ensuring the highest level of client care Maintains confidentiality of work-related information and materials according to HIPAA standards. Participate in the development and implementation of client’s treatment progress as needed Lead site activities such as current event groups, goal setting & motivation, relapse prevention, mindfulness, stress management, drug & alcohol awareness, activities of daily living and/or recreational activities, as appropriate to the specified client population. Recognize the needs for providing crisis intervention services to clients as needed according to Pro-ACT (Professional Assault Crisis Training) principles Documents all client interactions or activities completed on behalf of the client (including collaboration with other disciplines, case consultations, telephone calls leaving voicemails, and collateral contact) in clients EMR system (if applicable) according to the documentation standards of the agency and within 72 hours of service provision Meet documentation standards assigned by Supervisor, Manager or Director Informs supervising Manager or Director, within 12 hours of making an incident report, Protective Services and/or Behavioral Health hold reports within the mandated time frame Attend to clients’ behavioral issues tactfully and utilize the de-escalation process as needed Act as a liaison with patients, families of patients, or external facilities and agencies Follows established institutional policies and procedures, objectives, quality assurance program, and safety, environmental and infection control standards Research and network with community agencies for client resources and linkage as directed Familiarization with supportive services in County/Counties, including but not limited to linking clients to outside therapy, mental health, substance use treatment programs, job training, schooling, church, AA/NA meetings, etc. Attends and participates in staff meetings, service training, workshops and other required meetings as directed Report to any IH+H location for coverage, training, or support, as directed Support volunteers as needed: may be required to supervise volunteer(s) Circulate throughout the facility every hour and check-in with security guards and medical staff concerning any client-related issues. Be available to assist staff immediately with the de-escalation process when asked to do so Performs other responsibilities, as assigned by Supervisor, Manager or Director
Medical Insurance funded by Illumination Health + Home (Kaiser and Blue Shield), depending on the plan Dental and Vision Insurance Life, AD&D and LTD Insurance funded 100% by Illumination Health + Home Employee Assistance Program Professional Development Reimbursement 401K with Company Matching 10 days' vacation PTO/year 6 days sick PTO/year 10 days holiday PTO/year Potential eligibility for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSFL) for federally qualified loans
Candidates must be a high school graduate with a certified substance use counselor credential (CAADE, CCAPP, or CADTP) and two years of experience with unhoused populations. An associate degree in Psychology or Sociology and bilingual skills in English and Spanish are preferred.
Market context
In California, behavioral-health roles tied to substance use disorder counseling and case management are typically supported by ongoing community and treatment-program demand. These positions are competitive because employers often look for a high school diploma, at least 2 years of SUD counseling or case management experience, and current Registered or Certified Drug and Alcohol Counselor status. Review the AI-summarized requirements and benefits here to quickly compare fit and note that professional development and paid continuing education are listed as benefits.
