Substance Abuse Counselor III

About the role

The Substance Abuse Counselor III oversees substance abuse counseling work involving specialized and comprehensive treatment and recovery for individuals grappling with alcohol use and other substance abuse disorders. Key responsibilities include monitoring individuals' progress in substance abuse counseling, participating in staff development activities, collaborating with discharge placement staff, developing individualized objectives, and facilitating Substance Use and Co-Occurring Psychiatric.

Responsibilities

• Attends work on a regular basis and may be asked to work a specific shift schedule or, at times, even a rotating schedule, extended shift and/or overtime in accordance with agency leave policy and performs other duties as assigned.
• Provides advanced substance use disorder assessment, treatment planning, counseling, and case management services for individuals with complex behavioral health and co-occurring conditions. Develops, implements, and reviews individualized treatment plans; evaluates treatment progress; and recommends modifications based on clinical needs and evidence-based practices. Interprets assessment findings and formulates clinical recommendations regarding treatment interventions, level of care, and service delivery, provides consultation regarding diagnostic impressions, consults with treatment team members regarding diagnostic considerations, treatment recommendations, and service coordination.
• Participate in staff development activities related to the agency’s approved substance abuse counseling program. Attend and contribute to training sessions in group facilitation and substance abuse-specific practices and maintain compliance with annual mandatory training requirements to ensure up-to-date knowledge and effective service delivery.
• Collaborate with discharge placement staff to identify and arrange appropriate aftercare services, including intensive out programs (IOP) and community-based counseling. Ensure that individuals leaving the program are connected with support services that reinforce recovery and reduce the likelihood of relapse.
• Prepare and maintain required records, forms, and reports in compliance with HHSC and Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) regulations. Ensure documentation is accurate, complete, and submitted within required timelines to support accountability, licensing, and program evaluation needs.
• Develop individualized objectives and communicate them to the treatment team for inclusion in the Recovery Plan. Record and track the progress of group activities and individual participation in HER (electronic health record) to ensure documentation reflects ongoing progress toward recovery goals. Monitors individual's progress toward treatment goals and identifies barriers impacting recovery and treatment engagement; recommends modifications to treatment approaches based on participant progress and clinical needs.
• Complete and finalize COPSD assessments in accordance with agency standards, ensuring assessments are completed within seven days of admission or notification of a physician’s order. Provide timely and accurate evaluations to inform individualized treatment planning and integrated care approaches.
• Perform assigned responsibilities as part of the Recovery Team, Quality Improvement Team (QIT), and Substance Use Discipline meetings. Attend required meetings and in-services, contribute to group discussions, and support ongoing quality improvement efforts.

Qualifications

Minimum of three (3) years of full-time chemical dependency counseling experience after obtaining LCDC licensure required. Three (3) years’ experience should include assessment, treatment planning, individual counseling, group counseling, case management, and documentation required.