Position Title: Residential SUD (Substance Use Disorder) Counselor
Department: Residential Services
Report to: Lead Counselor
Salary Range: $25.00 – 28.50 per hour
Type: Full Time, Non-Exempt
Position Summary
This is your chance to join a dynamic team of SUD counselors who are keeping some of San Diego’s most vulnerable populations safe and healthy! Stepping Stone of San Diego has been specializing in LGBTQIA+ addiction recovery, mental health and housing programs for 50 years. Our Residential Program houses 31 residents and provides our clients with SUD counseling, peer support, therapy and other wrap-around services that support them in achieving sobriety.
Our organization values a low resident-to-counselor ratio so you will carry a caseload of just 4 - 5 residents. In addition, you will help facilitate weekly processing groups, help clients create relapse prevention plans, and assist them with stabilizing their lives.
Essential Functions
- Manage a caseload of up to 4 - 5 residents, meeting with them a minimum of once a week to provide assessment (ASAM) and a treatment/recovery plan for their substance use disorder
- Facilitate individual, group, and crisis counseling sessions to clients
- Monitor/assist with daily client Med Calls and perform drug testing urinalysis specimen collections and screening as required
- Maintain client’s case files, both hard copy and computerized (assessment and progress notes). SUD counselor must produce daily billable services under the DMC/ODS
- Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team including social workers, therapists, case managers, and administrators.
- Attend all internal meetings, and complete all training as required
- Perform other assigned duties as needed
Minimum Qualifications
- If Registered, candidates must be finished with required schooling
- Cultural competency and familiarity of the LGBTQIA+ community
- Strong verbal and written communication skills, for client interaction and record keeping
- Ability to handle multiple tasks and shifting priorities within a residential setting
- Compliance with all agency and contract requirements related to trainings, public health, certifications, and reporting
- Ability to pass all pre-employment screening, including references, education verification, a criminal background check with at least one year of clear of probation or parole, a drug test, and a negative TB test.
- Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation
Preferred Qualifications
- Registered or Certified SUD counselor in the state of California and one year of experience working with SUD clients
- Previous experience working in an SUD residential program setting
- Experience with SmartCare and/or other forms of electronic health records
- Experience with Optum – SUDPOH county forms used for SUD documentation
- Written and spoken bilingual fluency in Spanish and English
Environmental Factors and Conditions/Physical Requirements
- While primarily working indoors, counselors also work with residents outdoors
- Regularly lift 15 pounds and occasionally up to 50 pounds
- Holiday, evening, and weekend work may be required
- Transporting residents to and from activities and or appointments in company vehicles
Benefits Package
Stepping Stone is proud to offer a generous benefits package for full-time employees, representing the potential additional $10,000+ on average per full-time employee above base pay, including but not limited to:
- Health Premiums company paid, including Acupuncture and Chiropractic
- Dental & Vision company paid
- Flexible Spending Accounts (Health Care & Dependent Care)
- Generous paid time off – sick & vacation
- Employee Assistance Program
- 403(b) Retirement Employer Match up to 5%
- 15 Paid Holidays, including floating holidays
- Life/AD&D Insurance company paid
- Long Term Disability Insurance company paid