Addiction Medicine Counselor (Per Diem, Variable)

About the role

Addiction Medicine Counselors provide engagement, counseling, and case management services to members affected by substance use disorders. They serve a diverse population with needs spanning substance use treatment, co-occurring mental health disorders, and family support. AM Counselors work within multidisciplinary teams to support members across all phases of readiness for change.

Responsibilities

• Deliver high-quality clinical services (individual, group, and family) to adult and adolescent members through screening, assessment, diagnosis, and service plan implementation in outpatient or residential settings.
• Provide care in accordance with best practice standards and department protocols, including supervision.
• Perform case management via triaging, referrals, provider consultation, member/family contact, and coordination with external agencies.
• Coordinate care for patients receiving medications from the Addiction Medicine Medical Team.
• Document all member care in the electronic medical record per medical/legal standards.
• Contribute to program development, in-service training, and process improvement activities.

Requirements

• Minimum one (1) year of experience in a substance use disorder treatment setting within the last five (5) years or completion of the KP Addiction Medicine department internship before hire/transfer.
• Completed training on American Society of Addiction Medicine Criteria within the first 3 months of hire or within the most recent 2 years prior to hire.
• Master’s level degree in counseling, social work, or closely related field (M.S.W., M.S., M.A., M.Ed.) at time of hire/transfer.
• Licensure or certification as required by state:
  • Washington: Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Substance Use Disorder Professional Trainee Certification, Substance Use Disorder Professional License, Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker, Licensed Advanced Social Worker, Mental Health Counselor License
  • Oregon: Drug and Alcohol Counselor Certificate, Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Professional Counselor License
• National Provider Identifier required at hire.

Additional Requirements

• Working knowledge of best practice treatments for adolescents, adults, and their families with substance use disorders, including individual, family, and group counseling, and co-occurring mental health disorders.
• Knowledge of legal requirements for reporting abuse and maintaining confidentiality.
• Knowledge of accepted best practice protocols, ethical guidelines, and culturally aware service delivery.
• Ability to assess, diagnose, and treat members with substance use and co-occurring mental health disorders.
• Ability to apply ASAM criteria for placement decisions.
• Competency in computer skills, including email, office applications, and web-based resources.
• Proficiency in providing face-to-face and virtual care; ability to teach patients to use electronic recovery aids and apps.
• Ability to document full assessments, treatment planning, monitor clinical progress, and conduct discharge planning.
• Demonstrated ability to provide crisis intervention, milieu management, and de-escalation skills.
• Proficiency in using standardized risk assessment tools and coordinating safety plans.
• Ability to work effectively with complex patients and collaborate within multidisciplinary teams.
• Ability to assess and treat adults across a wide age range (18–geriatric) with DSM Axis I and II disorders and co-occurring issues such as trauma, chronic pain, complex medical problems, and eating disorders.

Preferred Qualifications

• Minimum two (2) years of post-masters experience in a substance use disorder treatment setting within the last five years.
• Experience in an integrated healthcare setting including primary care services.
• Specialized training or experience in treating adolescents with substance use disorders, family therapy, trauma, and Motivational Interviewing.
• Experience working with interdisciplinary treatment teams and patients receiving medications for substance use disorders.
• Experience using Feedback Informed Care tools and providing crisis management services.
• Experience with electronic health record systems.
• Certified Addiction Counselor in the practicing state at time of hire/transfer.
• Current unrestricted license to treat mental health disorders (e.g., LPC, LMFT, LCSW, LICSW, LMHC) in the practicing state at time of hire/transfer.
• Minimum four (4) years of clinical experience, including four years conducting co-occurring assessments or facilitating crisis stabilization interventions for high-acuity patients.
• Minimum three (3) years of experience in milieu management, case management, and facilitating treatment groups in IOP, day treatment, residential, or equivalent settings.
• Minimum one (1) year working within a mental health program conducting comprehensive triage/crisis assessments.