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Shaded band: the middle 50% of posted behavioral health roles in Saint Petersburg, Florida rates. This role sits in the 50th percentile.
About the role
Pay for this role is about level with the Saint Petersburg, Florida median for behavioral health roles.
Counselors provide individual, group, and family counseling services to clients with substance use and co-occurring mental health disorders. They are responsible for maintaining clinical documentation, conducting assessments, and participating in interdisciplinary treatment team meetings.
Job DetailsJob Location
Saint Petersburg - 1735
Martin
Luther
King
S
Floor 2 -
Saint
Petersburg,
FL 33705Position
Type:
Full
TimeEducation
Level: 4
Year
DegreeSalary
Range: $21.64 - $24.52
HourlyJob
Category:
Professional
ServicesPOSITION
SUMMARY: Counselors are responsible for delivering individual, group, and family counseling services to clients with substance use and co-occurring mental health disorders. Core responsibilities include completing required clinical documentation such as psychosocial assessments, Individual Treatment/Service Plans (ITP/ISP), progress notes, and monthly reviews. Counselors actively participate in interdisciplinary treatment team meetings, monitor client progress throughout care, and contribute to discharge planning to ensure continuity of services. They provide crisis assessment, intervention, and de-escalation to promote client and staff safety, while guiding peers to ensure consistent and appropriate responses to critical situations. Counselors develop and implement approved curricula to support group and individual counseling sessions, utilizing evidence-based practices tailored to client needs.
Essential
JOB
FUNCTIONS: Provide individual, group, and family counseling to address substance use, co-occurring disorders, and mental health concerns. Conduct thorough client screenings and assessments; develop, implement, and regularly update individualized treatment plans based on each client’s strengths, needs, abilities, and preferences. Utilize evidence-based counseling and psychotherapy approaches to evaluate and treat emotional, behavioral, cognitive, and affective conditions. Deliver services via secure distance-based platforms when appropriate, ensuring informed consent, confidentiality, and compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, and professional standards. Assess client needs and determine appropriate modalities of care, including crisis intervention, referrals, and coordination with ancillary services (e.g., family support groups, continuing care, medical services). Conduct intake interviews and determine program eligibility and appropriateness for services or referral to external providers. Provide crisis intervention, following WestCare policies and procedures, and take immediate action as needed to ensure client safety. Report unusual incidents, safety concerns, or compliance issues to the Residential Clinical Coordinator, Program Director, Regional Vice President, or regulatory agency as appropriate. Monitor, evaluate, and document client behavior, progress, and participation throughout treatment. Maintain accurate, timely, and complete clinical documentation, including progress notes, assessments, and reports in accordance with agency and regulatory standards. Follow all WestCare policies, procedures, and professional standards of practice. Participate in interdisciplinary treatment team meetings, counselor meetings, and discharge planning discussions to support continuity of care. Educate clients and families about recovery resources, relapse prevention, and coping strategies. Support aftercare planning by assisting clients in identifying community resources and ongoing recovery supports. Ensure regular and consistent attendance to maintain continuity of client care. Promote and embody the mission, vision, guiding principles, clinical vision, and goals of WestCare Foundation. Perform other duties as assigned to support program and client needs.
Requirements
Candidates must hold a minimum of a Bachelor's degree in a human services field and possess at least 2 years of relevant experience. Strong communication skills and knowledge of substance abuse and mental health treatment standards are required.
bachelor degree
Counseling
De-escalation
Communication skills
Problem-solving
Treatment planning
Psychotherapy
Discharge planning
Crisis intervention
Interdisciplinary collaboration
Evidence-based practices
Case management
Clinical documentation
Substance use treatment
Relapse prevention
Mental health assessment
Intake interviews
Posting details
Employment type
Full Time
Work arrangement
On Site
Experience
2-5 yrs
Salary
$22 - $25/hr
Location
Saint Petersburg, Florida
Posted
Aug 4, 2026
Application
Employer website
QualificationsESSENTIAL
QUALIFICATIONS: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the duties and responsibilities satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required: Demonstrated commitment to the highest ethical and professional standards in working with clients, colleagues, and the community. Ability to maintain professional boundaries and avoid all dual relationships with clients (including personal, financial, business, social, or sexual relationships). Strong communication, problem-solving, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to exercise sound judgment and initiative. Capacity to work effectively in a fast-paced, dynamic, and team-oriented environment. Knowledge of and adherence to applicable laws, regulations, and industry standards related to substance abuse and mental health treatment. During your tenure with WestCare there may be new requirements, including, but not limited to vaccinations that are issued by local, State, Federal, and/or Funders that WestCare may have to comply with. Should this occur Human Resources or appropriate personnel will inform you. Experience providing counseling to adults with co-occurring substance use and mental health disorders preferred. Familiarity with evidence-based practices and treatment modalities for substance abuse and mental health counseling preferred. Bilingual proficiency to support a diverse client population preferred.
EDUCATION and/or
EXPERIENCE: Minimum Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university with a major in counseling, social work, psychology, nursing, rehabilitation, special education, health education, or related human services field. 2+ years of experience in a similar setting, with experience in group and individual counseling.
LICENSURE/CERTIFICATION: CAP preferred.
WORKING
CONDITIONS: Indoor and outdoor settings. Group and/or individual counseling sessions. Direct contact with clients of all ages and levels of functioning. Fast paced environment. Potential for high noise level at times. A minimum of 40 hours per week is required; however, there may be times when more than 40 hours a week is expected to complete job tasks. Regular attendance is required. WestCare is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment at WestCare is contingent upon successful completion of a pre-employment drug test, pre-employment physical and criminal background check.
Market context
Behavioral health roles remain in steady demand
In Florida, behavioral-health roles are typically in steady demand across community clinics, schools, and care settings serving diverse populations. Competition often centers on licensure status, supervised experience, and the ability to work well with interdisciplinary teams while applying mental health ethics and cultural awareness. Review the full posting carefully and confirm your Master’s degree, Registered Intern License, and communication experience; this platform’s AI-summarized requirements and benefits can save you time by condensing the original job description.
