Substance Abuse Counselor

About River Edge Behavioral Health :

Serving more than 10,000 Georgians, River Edge continues to be one of the state's leading resources for mental health, substance use disorder treatments, and support as well as individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

River Edge offers outpatient services at our Emery Highway-Macon, Monroe County, and Baldwin County locations. Outpatient services include behavioral health, nursing, and psychiatric assessment, stabilization, and medication maintenance services as well as crisis intervention services as well as awareness, education, and recovery groups.

River Edge Behavioral Health is seeking a passionate and dedicated Substance Abuse Counselor for our Addictive Disease Outpatient Program.

As a Substance Abuse Counselor, you will play a crucial role in providing support and guidance to individuals struggling with substance abuse issues.

Your primary responsibility will be to assess clients' needs, develop treatment plans, and facilitate therapy sessions to help them overcome addiction and achieve recovery.

Schedule :

• Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday- 11 : 30 am-8 : 00 pm
• Wednesday & Friday- 8 : 00 am-4 : 30 pm

FLSA Classification : Hourly, Non-Exempt

Benefits Offered :

• Competitive Pay
• Medical, Dental, Vision Insurance
• Paid Time Off
• 12 Paid Holidays
• 401k with an employer match
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Short and Long-term disability coverage
• Life Insurance
• Employee Discount Program

Duties & Responsibilities :

• Provide individual and group counseling sessions for clients struggling with substance abuse issues.
• Conduct comprehensive assessments to determine clients' treatment needs and develop personalized treatment plans.
• Facilitate psychoeducational workshops and support groups on topics related to substance abuse recovery, relapse prevention, and coping skills.
• Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team including psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, and other healthcare professionals to coordinate comprehensive care for clients.
• Monitor clients' progress in treatment, document interventions, and update treatment plans as needed.
• Provide crisis intervention and support to clients experiencing acute mental health or substance-related crises.
• Educate clients and their families about the impact of substance abuse on mental health, physical health, and overall well-being.
• Maintain confidentiality and adhere to ethical guidelines and legal regulations governing the practice of substance abuse counseling.
• Participate in ongoing professional development activities, including workshops, training, and supervision, to enhance clinical skills and stay abreast of current research and best practices in the field.
• Adhere to all federal, state, and regulatory ethical and legal guidelines governing substance abuse counseling.
• Collaborate effectively with the Medication Assisted Treatment Team and other relevant professionals.

Qualifications :

• Valid Certified Addition Counselor I credential
• Valid CACII / CADCII certification (Preferred) OR
• Master’s degree in counseling or a related field, such as Social Work, Sociology, or Psychology. License Eligible (Preferred)
• At least three (3) years of experience providing mental health and substance abuse treatment.
• Valid Driver’s License or Identification with reliable transportation.
• Provide 2 Professional reference Statements (Former employers only, no family members).

Competencies :

• Assessment and Evaluation : The Substance Abuse Counselor conducts thorough assessments to evaluate clients' substance abuse problems and mental health requirements, utilizing standardized assessment tools and conducting clinical interviews to gather pertinent information that informs treatment planning.
• Education and Advocacy : The Substance Abuse Counselor educates clients and their families about the impact of substance abuse on mental health and overall well-being.

Additionally, they raise awareness about substance abuse issues within the community through outreach activities.

• Empathy : A successful Substance Abuse Counselor demonstrates empathy and compassion toward clients, fostering a supportive environment where individuals feel understood and accepted, regardless of their struggles.
• Active Listening : By employing active listening techniques, such as paraphrasing and reflecting content, counselors attentively tune in to clients' concerns and emotions, validating their experiences and building rapport.
• Communication Skills : Effective communication lies at the core of counseling practice, as counselors articulate complex information in clear, accessible language, adapting their communication style to suit diverse clients' needs and backgrounds.
• Self-Care and Resilience : Prioritizing self-care practices and seeking support from supervisors and peers, counselors safeguard their well-being, acknowledging the emotional demands of their work and cultivating resilience to navigate challenging situations effectively.

Additional Information :

The Application Process

• All qualified applicants will be considered.
• This position is subject to close once a suitable candidate pool has been identified.
• The hiring managers will contact only those selected for an interview.
• Applicants who are not selected will receive notification via email.
• Due to the volume of applications received, we cannot provide information on application status by phone or email.

Safe Working Environment

We at River Edge believe every employee has a right to a safe work environment. Therefore, we recommend full vaccination of all employees.

Getting the vaccine, frequently washing your hands, sanitizing common areas, and wearing your mask are the most effective ways to fight.

Diversity and Inclusion

River Edge Behavioral Health is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive work environment and is proud to be an equal employment opportunity employer.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment regardless of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, nationality, genetic makeup, disability, age, or veteran status.

Drug-Free Workplace

River Edge Behavioral Health is a drug-free workplace with a longstanding commitment to providing a safe, quality-oriented, and productive work environment.

In compliance with the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1998, all applicants must pass a satisfactory background clearance and pre-employment drug screen.

At-Will Workplace

Employment with River Edge Behavioral Health is at will. At-will means your employment relationship with River Edge Behavioral Health or Affordable Business Solution is for an indefinite period and is subject to termination by you or River Edge Behavioral Health, with or without cause, with or without notice, and at any time.

EEOC Statement

River Edge Behavioral Health is an Equal Opportunity Employer : River Edge Behavioral Health recruits qualified candidates for positions in its service area.

It is the policy of River Edge Behavioral Health to provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment.

It prohibits discrimination or harassment of any type without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, disability, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

If you are looking for an opportunity to make life better and have a strong desire for personal growth we encourage you to apply.

We promptly review all applications. Highly qualified candidates will be contacted for interviews.

We are an equal-opportunity employer and highly value diversity. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.

All selected applicants must pass a satisfactory background clearance and pre-employment drug test.